Surface Optics is proud to contribute to the future of energy by providing our customers with advanced optical characterization products for solar energy system design, modeling of novel materials, field testing, and maintenance.
A key issue in solar energy research and development is correlating the performance of solar energy devices with the methods and materials used to produce them. The optical properties of these materials are fundamental to device performance. The relationship among materials growth and processing, the resulting electro-optical properties, and device performance can be extremely complex and difficult to determine without direct measurement. Surface Optics’ reflectometers are used in solar collector deposition and cleaning, solar selective coating development, concentrated solar power tower design, thermal energy storage media development, and photovoltaic semiconductor material development.
Solar Collector Deposition and Cleaning
For those managing solar energy facilities, ensuring optimal performance and longevity of solar collectors is crucial for maximizing efficiency and reducing costs. Surface Optics’ reflectometers are essential tools, providing precise measurements of reflectance and cleanliness. This enables facility managers to accurately assess and maintain solar collectors, ensuring peak efficiency. By regularly monitoring and cleaning solar collectors, industry professionals can extend the lifespan of their equipment and maintain its effectiveness, contributing to a more sustainable energy future.
Solar Selective Coating Development
Enhancing efficiency in solar energy systems involves optimizing spectrally selective solar absorber coatings used in concentrated solar power systems, solar thermal collectors, photovoltaic thermal hybrid systems, solar thermal power plants, and solar water heaters to maximize solar absorption and minimize thermal radiation losses, thereby enhancing overall system efficiency. Surface Optics provides state-of-the-art reflectometers, professional measurement services, and vacuum deposition coating services to assist engineers in developing next-generation solar selective coatings.
CSP Tower Design
Optical property measurements are crucial in designing next-generation concentrated solar power (CSP) systems as they help optimize the materials and coatings used in CSP receivers. By accurately assessing reflectance, absorptance, and emittance, these measurements enable engineers to enhance the thermal efficiency of CSP systems. This optimization leads to improved energy capture and conversion, reduced thermal losses, and higher operating temperatures, ultimately increasing the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of CSP technologies.
Photovoltaic Semiconductor Materials
A critical aspect of solar energy technology is advancing the performance and efficiency of photovoltaic cells. Surface Optics provides reflectometers and specialized measurement services to measure the optical properties of semiconductor materials and semiconductor fabrication equipment used for these cells. Our instruments and analyses enable the fine-tuning of materials to improve their light absorption and conversion efficiency.