A team from Pittsburgh has invented a particular type of photovoltaic cells which are inserted in giant paper boats in order to boosts California coral growth. This invention has been developed in particular situation, LAGI 2016: Santa Monica, a international competition that promotes renewable energy and public art: it is important to note that in LAGI’s competition guideline requires that all the entries should be technologically and physically feasible.

Paper Boats is designed to harness solar energy using concentrated photovoltaics (CPV), reflectors, and Holographic Planar Concentrator (HPC) technology and, in the LAGI’s guideline way, Paper Boats symbolize potential applications of existing technology.

For each Paper Boats the outer shell used is Fresnel lenses to direct light, while the sail as a whole acts as a concentrated photovoltaic collector. It has an annual capacity of 2,400 MWh. Holographic photovoltaic cells beneath the sails use laser-etched glazing and bi-facial silicone panels to harness sunlight from both directions “with incredible efficiency.” The iridescent sails refract light, a special bonus for people visiting Santa Monica Pier during sunset. A trickle of direct current electricity produced by the sails flows through the rebar, and accelerates coral growth that is said to be five times faster than normal.

This small charge becomes a catalyst for coral growth, strengthening the local marine ecosystem.

For more information: http://www.sesino.it/