Jaén: Patents on solar energy capture technology

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The Biofuels and Energy Saving Systems group of the University of Jaén, Spain, led by Francisco Alberto Díaz Garrido, has developed a system for optimising the amount of sunlight captured by photovoltaic panels by rotating them towards the Sun.

This has resulted in two patents: a solar monitoring system for solar energy capture (using photovoltaic panels) with a new hydraulic mechanism, and a solar radiation sensor.

Work is continuing to assess the feasibility of using the free space in olive groves to install this kind of energy exploitation system.

Andalusia in general, and Jaén in particular, has high levels of solar radiation, meaning the potential of photovoltaic systems in this province is enormous. Until recently, solar installations were static, but after a viability study carried out by the research group, it has been shown that if the systems are installed with a solar monitoring device to track the sun, outputs increase over 25 per cent, while costs decrease 15 per cent.

“The aim of this project is to reduce equipment costs as much as possible, compared to the improvement this will bring about,” said Francisco Alberto Díaz. The monitoring system has been developed to have a very low maintenance cost.

The system is being commercialised locally by Proenersol Seguidores S.L., and the possibility of international expansion is being explored.