Technology
How it Works
Icarus is a low-cost power boosting and energy storage system for commercial and utility scale solar PV systems that improves system performance and the ROI of solar investments. The hybrid solar PV/Thermal system is snapped on the back of PV panels. The system cools the panels, collects rejected heat, and converts the heat into additional power to improve system efficiency and output. The Icarus system can produce roughly 25% more power at a lower cost/kWh than the panels alone. In addition, Icarus stores heat as energy to generate power during cloud shading and after sunset to better align with peak demand.
3 Distinct Benefits
Cooler Solar Panels
Additional Power
Stored Energy
Icarus stores extracted waste heat in a thermal battery while cooling the panels. This results in additional power. Traditional solar batteries consume power generated by the panels alone.
Additional Benefits
Reduced Demand Charges
Increased ROI
Our commercial cost model for a 100kW project predicts an ROI of about 30% for a 3.2 year payback for the entire system! Commercial PV can cost approximately $1.80/watt. The additional power generated by the Icarus Boost can be delivered for about $1/watt.
Reduced Footprint
Efficiency
Efficiency is a measure of how much work or energy is conserved. Often, work or energy is lost as waste heat, as in the case of solar panels. Efficiency = energy output/energy input, and is expressed as a percentage where the perfect process would have an efficiency of 100%.