US firm’s 3D solar towers beat panels, make 50% more energy with sun tracking
Texas-based Janta Power company is developing three-dimensional solar towers that generate roughly 50 percent more energy than standard flat-panel systems.
This tower-like design maximizes the use of space, fitting a far greater number of panels into a much smaller footprint.
Recently, the company closed a $5.5 million seed round to accelerate the commercialization and scale-up of the company’s patented 3D photovoltaic tower technology.
These solar towers could be placed across high-demand sectors, including data centers, EV charging hubs, telecom towers, universities, and industrial facilities.
One-third of the land area
The technology solves key challenges faced by conventional solar farms: limited land availability and low energy output per square foot.
The vertical solar towers are developed to deliver 50% more energy.
Interestingly, the tech achieves this performance while utilizing only one-third of the land area required by standard arrays.
Plus, the tower’s patented design maximizes space, achieving three times the solar surface area exposure within the same amount of land.
A core innovation of the system is its generation profile. The vertical stacking of the panels allows the towers to capture low-angle light throughout the day.
Reportedly, to ensure maximum light capture, the solar towers are responsive, automatically moving to follow the sun’s path.
Due to their slanted, upright design, the tech can effectively utilize the sharp angles of early morning and late-day sunlight, an ability missing in flat panels.
The extended exposure throughout the day results in a longer, more even flow of electricity, avoiding the concentrated midday spike typical of other solar arrays.
Moreover, this generation profile is useful for grid stability, as it better aligns with real energy demand and reduces ramp stress on the grid.
“Typical installations achieve a capacity factor of ~32%, compared to ~22% for flat panels, thanks to active shading optimization and control software,” the press release noted.
Pilots underway at global airports
Janta Power’s reliability and space-saving design have already garnered interest from infrastructure operators.
Pilot programs are currently underway with major global aviation partners, including Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Munich International Airport, and Aena (operator of over 70 airports worldwide).
These deployments are part of the Airports for Innovation (A4I) initiative, highlighting the technology’s suitability for land-constrained and high-security environments.
The structural integrity of each solar tower is a key design element to ensure durability and resilience.
It is built using steel with modular helical or pier foundations. This construction method allows each tower to withstand high winds, certified to survive speeds of at least 110 mph and up to 170 mph, making them suitable for deployment in various environments prone to severe weather.
The newly secured funding, led by MaC Venture Capital, will allow Janta Power to finalize its manufacturing scale-up.
As per the press release, the tower solution also demonstrates a competitive economic advantage in the energy sector, offering a remarkably low Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of just $0.05/kWh.
In comparison to the global average LCOE of roughly $0.15/kWh, this cost is much lower.
Cost advantage could position Janta’s 3D solar towers as a more affordable option for clean power generation right from the start.