Technology – 3D-ST TECHNOLOGY

About the Technology

We introduce a new 3D SOLAR TRACKING (3D-ST) technology and demonstrate why this system is a true breakthrough in the global energy sector.

The Problem 3D-ST Solves

The challenge this project addresses is the GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE CRISIS — one of the greatest threats of our time, directly endangering human lives.

It is well known that the solution lies in adopting clean energy, particularly solar energy, which is virtually limitless. Yet, despite 60 years of development, solar power accounts for only 3.7% of global electricity production. The reason is simple — cost.

The fight to reduce this cost is, in reality, a fight to create a greener world — and it is the core mission of our project.

This cost is driven by the need for extremely high precision in solar tracking. Such precision is essential because solar cells operate in chains — if even a single cell receives insufficient light, the entire chain it belongs to fails. Naturally, maintaining such precise control over a massive mechanical structure requires a complex and expensive mechanism.

To assess the impact of precise solar tracking on cost, we conducted a simple theoretical experiment:

Imagine the sun remains stationary, eliminating the need for tracking altogether.
We then calculated the cost of such a CPV system.

The result was astonishing — the cost of a concentrator without tracking was several times lower than its conventional cost.

Our Solution

Understanding the core of the problem, we approached it from a different angle. Ultimately, the goal of solar tracking is not precise orientation toward the sun, but the need to perfectly align the focus of sunlight with the solar cells.

Today, this is achieved by moving heavy structures, but the same effect can be obtained by manipulating the second key player—the solar cell block, which is 1,000 times lighter. (For comparison: the “ZENIT-SOLAR” mirror, with a 22 m² surface area, weighs 1,500 kg, whereas our 3D-ST system, with an 11 m² mirror, weighs only 120 kg, making it nearly 7 times lighter per square meter.)

Operating Principle

To achieve this, we developed the 3D-ST system, which functions in a two-stage process:

01 ROUGH TRACKING

The sun’s path is divided into segments.
Two actuators periodically reposition the mirror from one segment to another.

02 PRECISE TRACKING

The system fine-tunes the focus alignment with the solar cells in each segment.
This is done by directly moving the solar cell block, ensuring maximum energy capture.

We implemented this approach and achieved an astonishing result—a radical simplification of the system, which led to a significant cost reduction.

By shifting precise control to a small, lightweight element, we replicated the impact of our theoretical experiment:

dramatic structural simplification
drastic cost reduction
the lowest market cost of $0.72/Watt, equivalent to just 3.8 cents/kWh

Final Outcome

The world’s lowest energy production cost:

2.3 cents/kWh at an average global DNI of 900 W/m²
0.94 cents/kWh in high-sunlight regions like Israel (DNI 2000–2500 W/m²)

To put this into perspective, let’s revisit the U.S. Department of Energy’s White Paper, which states:
“The emergence of a competitive renewable energy technology at 6 cents/kWh will revolutionize electricity production and consumption…”

Our system outperforms these “revolutionary” costs multiple times over.

Advantages

This technology is based on a CPV (Concentrated Photovoltaic) solar concentrator, which offers two key advantages:

Low Conversion Cost

Using a minimal number of solar cells significantly reduces conversion costs.

High Efficiency

Twice the energy output per unit area compared to traditional solar panels.