21 September 2009
Sharp enters market for small photovoltaic components
Sharp Microelectronics has announced the launch of its LROGC02 solar panel. The company describes the photovoltaic component as the 'thinnest photo cell currently available on the market'.
The solar panel has an output rating of 300mW on an area of 27.7 cm² and has a thickness of 0.8mm. With a total of 10 cells, Sharp says that the LR0GC02 produces an output voltage of 5V at a maximum of 60 mA. The polycrystalline silicon cells achieve an efficiency of 12.8% which Sharp says is approximately double the efficiency of a conventional amorphous cell.
According to Sharp, the panel's output rating of a maximum of 300mW is already sufficient to operate a memory in pixel lcd, plus relevant driver components as a stand-alone unit without additional power supply. This type of lcd is said to require less than a hundredth of the power of conventional lcds of comparable size. In combination, memory in pixel lcds and the new solar panel have been designed to offer the basis for network independent devices such as smart meters and sensors for home automation systems.
With dimensions of 41 x 67.5mm and minimal thickness of 0.8mm, the LR0GC02 PV panel can be integrated into the housings of mobile devices. To avoid electromagnetic interference, the panel has special interfaces for system integration and the cell only supports the measures necessary for the overall device; the solar panel itself does not give off any radiation.
The Sharp panel incorporates double wiring of the cells, designed to ensure efficiency, even in the event of a cell fracture. Sharp adds that the solar panel is therefore not only suited to supporting the power supply of mobile telephones, but also the operation time of laptops, industry handhelds and portable test and measurement equipment.
Author
Chris Shaw
Supporting Information
Websites
http://www.sharpsme.com
Companies
Sharp Microelectronics Europe
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