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Developed by Taiwan-based Flexwave, the monocrystalline-based PV module is based on passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) cell technology and is available in two versions with an output power of 1,250 mW and 3,050 mW, respectively. .
Flexwave, a Taiwan-based developer of photovoltaic solutions for indoor and outdoor applications, has launched a solar photovoltaic unit aimed at providing 10 years of self-sustaining solar power to small remote electronic devices, such as forest fire detectors or gas monitors, as well as to Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
Dubbed Arc-Solar Box, the monocrystalline module is based on passivated emitter rear contact cell (PERC) technology and is available in two versions with an output power of 1,250 mW and 3,050 mW, respectively.
The smaller device is integrated into a housing measuring 166 mm x 86 mm x 55 mm and houses a photovoltaic module with a size of 110 mm x 60 mm. The largest version has a 187mm x 147mm x 75mm case and contains a solar panel with dimensions of 134mm x 104mm.
The cabinet uses a waveguide technology that does not rely on conventional encapsulation, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). “We use an optical encapsulant to replace traditional Glass/EVA, which shows good waveguide behavior and helps collect light from wider angles, like a concentrator,” CEO Daniel Chou told pv magazine .
It also features maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and a charge control system that reportedly allows 10,000 mWh on a sunny day and 980 mWh on a cloudy day, according to measurements in Hsinchu, Taiwan.
Additionally, it is IP67 protected and includes a 5.0V solar battery/charge controller. Optional features include a terrestrial and satellite communications module, environmental sensors, a rechargeable battery, and an asset tracking package.
Flexwave technology is supposedly suitable for other cell technologies, such as organic photovoltaics (OPV), dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), and gallium arsenide (GaAs) cells.
In February, the Flexwave module was validated with an efficiency of 14.48% under LED and 19.44% under a fluorescent lamp (TL84), by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) in Taiwan.
Referring to a study presented in September at the EU PVSEC event in Portugal that was based on a real-time single scan (RTOS) method for IV measurements and an indoor lighting simulator, Chou said: “With our technology, a “mono-Si module could achieve more than 20% efficiency with a fluorescent lamp for the first time.”
ArcBox is one of several original development manufacturing (ODM) products from the Taiwanese startup. It also offers a developer kit, Micro-EH, to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for evaluation and prototyping. “The test kit helps our customers understand the operation of energy harvesters and quickly evaluate their system,” Chou said.
Design wins include geolocation and user access consoles on bikes from a leading Taiwanese bike-sharing fleet and power modules within GPS and low-range livestock asset terrestrial trackers from GlobalSat Worldcom, headquartered in Taiwan.
“As a young company, we continue to look for businesses that can solve problems and make profits; IoT and distributed electronics are the main objectives,” Chou said. “Although the majority of our business is ODM, more business connections in distribution will be welcome.” |
