Wind Energy

Sopogy Unveils Next Generation of Concentrating Solar Thermal Collector

Sopogy, Inc., a company focused on micro concentrated solar power (MicroCSP) technologies, said it has launched SopoHelios, its next generation, parabolic solar collector at the Solar Power International Conference in Dallas, Texas.

In a release on Oct. 17, the company said SopoHelios features Sopogy’s patented, MicroCSP technology. MicroCSP uses mirrors and optics to intensify the heat energy from the sun creating thermal energy. Thermal energy is the fuel for clean, renewable power generation, air conditioning, and process heat.

The new collector is designed for "high heat" temperatures ranging between 50-326 degrees C or 122-620 degrees F which directly address power generation, solar thermal air conditioning and solar process heat applications. The collector spanning 7.61 meters squared or 82 square feet, reduces the number of collectors required to power a solar electric power field by 33 percent.

"Requiring fewer collectors reduces engineering and construction costs and speeds up solar field assembly," said Darren T. Kimura, President and CEO of Sopogy. "SopoHelios maximizes the efficiency for our solar thermal systems and significantly improves the system paybacks."

Tested in the hot, lava field deserts of Kona for strength, torsion and durability, SopoHelios features a light-weight core, solar tracking, all-weather stow mode, ease of assembly, low maintenance and the capability to enable local manufacturing.

SopoHelios collectors are scheduled for installation in Kalaeloa Solar One, a five megawatt power plant 15 miles from urban Honolulu. Kalaeloa Solar One will also feature Sopogy’s proprietary thermal heat storage system. Storage stabilizes production when cloudy and prolongs energy production after sunset.

www.sopogy.com