Pat Shingleton for October 27, 2009
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The Fresnel lens has been around for more than 180 years. The lens has been used in overhead projectors or to magnify the beacon in a lighthouse. Daniel Chemisana, a scientist at the University of Lleida in Spain, created a thermal-photovoltaic modular system by using the Fresnel lens. The system uses the stationary Fresnel lens and an absorber plate that concentrates sunlight within a solar heating module. This technology is not only cheaper, in comparison with the production of a regular solar cell, it is a space saver for installations in walls, roofs or even attachable to a terrace railing. Scientists also think the system can transfer cold air to heat with the attachment of a heat pump.
Fastcast: Showers, clearing.
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 p.m., then scattered showers. High near 72. Easterly winds 10 mph becoming southwesterly. Chance of rain: 80 percent. Tonight: Cloudy in the early evening, then clearing. Low of 53. Westerly winds 5 mph.
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