Chinese (Simplified) 
Chinese (Traditional) 
English 
French 
Alemão 
Italian 
Japanese 
Norwegian 
Spanish 
3 min read
0 comments
Discover the innovative solar system with vertical panels and reflectors, which halves the amortization time and increases energy efficiency in adverse weather conditions
In the field of renewable energy, FutureVoltaics, a spin-off of Spain's Superior Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), has developed VECTHOR, a new solar photovoltaic system based on vertical bifacial solar panels and specially designed reflectors. This article explores the innovations and benefits that VECTHOR brings to the field of solar energy, focusing on its ability to make solar energy more affordable and efficient, especially in harsh weather conditions.
VECTHOR: Innovation in photovoltaic energy
VECTHOR reduces the amortization time of conventional photovoltaic systems installed on roofs by half. This system's main objective is to make photovoltaic solar energy more accessible and manageable, producing more energy when it is most needed, that is, during winter, in the early hours of the morning, in the late afternoon and on cloudy days.
-
Everything you need to know about renewable energy strategies
-
Chinese giant plans to invest in new renewable energy park in this state
-
Trump administration revokes Biden rule that cut taxes on renewable energy on federal lands, while prioritizing oil drilling
-
UK government to require solar power in new homes built from 2027
Buy
The problem they solve
Current photovoltaic systems tend to produce more energy than necessary at midday and very little during winter. As more solar power is installed, electricity supply exceeds demand during midday hours, reducing the value of electricity. Market-ready technology is needed to flatten the solar energy production curve.
VECTHOR technology
VECTHOR, which stands for VErtical CollecTor with HOrizontal Reflectors, is a patent-pending design that relies on vertical bifacial solar panels and reflectors designed to maintain optimal irradiance in the solar panels at all times, without using trackers or moving parts.
Advantages of VECTHOR:
- Higher annual energy yield: VECTHOR combines the best advantages of fixed tilt and tracking systems, significantly improving performance in adverse weather conditions.
- Reduced energy cost, greater return on investment: With greater production at times of higher electricity value, such as cloudy days, sunny winter days, early in the morning and late in the afternoon, and less need for storage.
- Lower maintenance and longer service life: The absence of moving parts reduces the need for maintenance compared to trackers. Furthermore, there is less exposure to UV rays, which reduces encapsulant degradation and improves radiative and convective cooling.
- Lower heat island effect: By reducing heat accumulation in urban areas, VECTHOR contributes to mitigating the heat island effect.
How do they manage
VECTHOR's design, based on vertical bifacial solar panels and horizontal reflectors, maximizes light capture without the need for moving parts. Our minimum viable product (MVP) is ready for small-scale commercialization, based on several prototypes currently operating in our research center. Current prototypes demonstrate performance comparable to single-axis trackers (slightly higher in winter and slightly lower in summer), but with a wide margin for improvement.
VECTHOR represents a significant advancement in solar photovoltaic technology, making solar energy more affordable and efficient in diverse climate conditions. With a reduction in maintenance costs and greater energy production during times of greatest need, VECTHOR offers an innovative solution to today's solar energy challenges.
Source: FutureVoltaics
