The ideal of solar-tech is simple and perfect: infinite free energy from the sun!
However, current iterations of solar-tech have significant drawbacks, including solar panels themselves—clunky, fragile hunks of metal which aspire to be eco-friendly and cost-effective but often fall short of these goals in many conditions and climates.
Addressing such a critical concern demands innovation. Riding the wave toward practical solar-tech is a Calgary-born company rethinking how we collect energy from the sun.
The company uses curved mirrors inside an enclosure to concentrate the sun’s energy into a receiver. The transparent enclosure, constructed to withstand extreme conditions, is designed to increase the efficiency and longevity of solar panels.
Last year, SolarSteam was named to the Foresight 50, which recognizes ventures from across Canada and a variety of sectors including watertech, carbon solutions, hydrogen, and renewable energy.
The Alberta-based upstart was also a finalist for Venture of the Year at the regional Cleantech Awards.
“By protecting the solar collectors from harsh weather,” SolarSteam explains, “we can increase efficiency and reduce capital cost by allowing for lightweight materials that don’t require robust foundations and expensive controls.”
According to the company, its novel system has been optimized to provide structural support while still minimizing shade interference and maximizing light transmission through “a tough but remarkably clear membrane” that forms the outer shell.
The enclosure is not only durable and lightweight, however.
“Our system is designed with modularity in mind,” SolarSteam says. This allows for ease in shipping, construction, scalability, and maintenance.
According to engineering principles, the Canadian innovator says it designs individual components and subsystems to be “considerate of the processes and steps involved in shipping and assembly of the product at the manufacturing and fabrication stage.”
SolarSteam also claims its tech “can help reduce GHG emissions by up to 50% compared to fossil fuel-powered heat generation.” The company further believes that it can improve the financial performance of energy systems by up to 40% through data-driven reporting.
Headquartered in Calgary, SolarSteam was established in 2017.
Interested in more local startups advancing solar in Alberta? Check out our profile on Zeno Renewables.
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