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Technological innovation promises easier and cheaper access to solar energy

It is a fact that renewable energies should, as soon as possible, replace energies from fossil fuels as pollution has drastically worsened in recent years. In large metropolitan centers, such as São Paulo, pollution has already reached high levels and poses risks to the population's well-being.

One of the factors that delay this replacement is the difficulty of using renewable energies on a large scale. Although the equipment necessary for the use of solar energy can already be installed in homes, its high cost has barred - and a lot - individual initiatives.

Concerned about alleviating this obstacle, scientists have been engaged in developing new creations. In the US, for example, adhesives to capture solar energy were created. However, the latest innovation appears to have a slightly larger dimension.

The Dsolar HCPVT (High Concentration PhotoVoltaic Thermal) promises to provide electricity, heat, hot water and air conditioning and was specially designed for small and medium consumers, such as homes, hotels, hospitals and small industries. Its installation is easy, requires little maintenance and is long lasting, without its performance being compromised by different seasons.

The invention is the result of a partnership between Airlight Energy and IBM. The system is capable of concentrating the sun's radiation 2000 times and converting 80% of this into energy, generating 12 kiloWatts (kW) of electrical power and 20 kW of heat - enough to power many average homes.

The HCPVT is 10 meters high and 40 square meters of parabolic dishes. These parabolic dishes are covered with 36 elliptical mirrors - it also contains recycled plastic.

The concept started in 2013 and had its first prototype made in 2014. The testing phase should take place in 2015 and 2016. For that, two communities will receive donations. The market launch is only scheduled for 2017.