A new AI-based system called ShadowSense learns from real-world data to predict short-term changes in solar module power output. The system outperforms conventional methods with an accuracy rate of over 92%, providing valuable insights for electricity grid management.
Researchers at HZB developed a novel perovskite triple-junction solar cell with a GO/SAM bilayer, achieving an efficiency of 27.3% and retaining over 90% of its original efficiency after 770 hours. This study demonstrates the potential of all-perovskite multi-junction solar cells for high power conversion efficiencies.
Researchers discovered that the solar wind slows down by 13-15% as it approaches the outer boundary of the heliosphere, aligning with previous models. This slowdown is crucial for understanding the impact of interstellar material on long-term space travel.
A new study reveals rooftop solar panels can offset nearly half of increased electricity demand during peak cooling periods. Climate change alone is projected to push up residential cooling demand by 5%, but rooftop solar growth could halve this additional load, easing pressure on the grid.
Scientists predict that New Horizons will encounter the termination shock as early as 2029 or as late as 2040, helping improve understanding of heliosphere interactions with interstellar space. The research aims to prepare for future missions exploring solar system boundaries.
Researchers use helioseismology to track sound waves inside the Sun, finding a gradual change in structure just beneath the surface that spans multiple cycles. This discovery reveals a shift towards more tightly confined magnetic activity near the surface, with implications for space weather predictions.
A new technique uses a single image to forecast solar panel energy production and maximize output. The method estimates the amount of energy that will be produced based on the angle of the sun, shadows, reflections, and weather patterns, allowing for more accurate placement and optimization of solar panels in urban areas.
The report highlights rapid growth of solid-state implementation since SKKU's first successful realization in 2012, with China, US, and South Korea leading global research efforts. Sungkyunkwan University demonstrates world-class research competitiveness, ranking highly in key indicators.
Researchers developed a feature selection-based solar irradiance forecasting method to improve stand-alone photovoltaic system operation. The approach forecasts solar irradiance using a bidirectional long short-term memory hybrid network, then estimates the optimum tilt angle to increase PV output power.
A study suggests that integrating wind and solar power into Ecuador's energy mix can prevent energy crises caused by droughts. The researchers found that large-scale wind and solar farms could increase the availability of hydropower, reducing the need for fossil fuels during dry periods.
The University of Michigan's new solar particle forecasting technology has been integrated into NASA's Artemis II mission to provide situational awareness of impending harmful radiation released during solar flares and eruptions. The machine-learning model uses satellite images of the sun and corona to forecast solar particle storms up...
TUM researchers have identified the microscopic causes of instability in perovskite solar cells and developed a strategy to prevent degradation through temperature swings. They discovered that a 'burn-in' phase triggers early loss of relative performance, but using special organic molecules as spacers can stabilize the material.
A team from the University of Córdoba developed an AI-based model that forecasts annual solar energy availability in Andalusia until 2100 using temperature data. The study found a significant positive trend in solar radiation and available energy, with peak hours increasing across all climate change scenarios.
A two-year study found that small household solar power systems have limited capacity, typically only 6 watts, which does not deliver meaningful energy services. Households with access to higher-capacity systems (50+ watts) reap the most direct benefits and are more likely to adopt additional solar components.
Researchers discovered that gold nanospheres, named supraballs, can absorb nearly all wavelengths of sunlight, including near-infrared light. This technology, applied to a commercially available electricity converter, nearly doubled solar energy absorption compared to traditional materials.
A new study introduces a semi-transparent, color-tunable solar cell designed for flexible surfaces and windows. The 3D-printed pillar structure allows for precise control over light transmission and appearance, enabling better integration of solar technology into building façades and curved surfaces.
Researchers at NJIT's Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research have pinpointed a previously unknown class of high-energy particles in the Sun's upper atmosphere responsible for generating intense gamma-ray signals during major solar flare events. These particles, energized to millions of electron volts, are linked to bremsstrahlung emissi...
The new vapour-deposition method delivers unprecedented durability in perovskite–silicon tandem solar cells, achieving over 30% power-conversion efficiency and operating stability exceeding 2,000 hours. This breakthrough paves the way for real-world deployment of tandem solar modules.
A modeling study reveals that increasing numbers of households with rooftop solar panels can lead to higher rates for those without their own solar system. As the cost of solar systems falls, more customers defect from the grid, leading to increased rates and a 'utility death spiral' that disproportionately affects low-income households.
A SwRI-led study finds that quasi-periodic pulsations (QPPs) in solar flares are driven by dynamic oscillations in magnetic reconnection. This research could help refine traditional solar flare models, providing new insights into the mechanisms driving space weather.
Researchers identified two distinct defect types in silicon heterojunction solar cells, a slow component and a fast component, to improve passivation technologies and enhance device performance.
A novel AI optimization model called GAN-Solar has been developed to address the technical bottleneck of accurate short-term solar forecasting. The model achieves significant improvements on key metrics compared to existing advanced models, producing high-definition forecasts that capture crucial details.
Researchers have identified key barriers to safely extending the life of solar panels and decreasing waste. One major challenge is the low cost of new panels undercutting the resale market for used systems.
A new study suggests that well-managed solar farms with wildflower margins could double bumblebee numbers within themselves. However, their benefits are largely constrained to the local site and have a limited impact on wider landscapes.
A new study by the University of Surrey finds that solar energy has become the world's cheapest source of power, with costs ranging from £0.02 per unit in sunny countries. The research highlights the increasing adoption of hybrid systems combining solar panels with batteries to create a more reliable and dispatchable source of power.
Understanding Sun's polar magnetic fields and dynamic processes is essential for answering pressing questions in solar physics. The SPO mission aims to overcome past limitations by providing a true polar view.
Scientists have made significant progress in developing iron-based solar fuel systems, which could pave the way for cheaper and more sustainable fuels. The study reveals new mechanisms that enable efficient charge transfer between light-absorbing molecules and acceptor molecules, reducing energy losses and increasing efficiency.
Researchers aim to bring perovskite solar cells to market maturity by improving long-term stability and scalability. Nanostructured materials hold the key to enhancing photovoltaic performance and reducing energy losses.
Researchers achieved excellent passivation of perovskite top cells on textured silicon surfaces, leading to improved efficiency and conductivity. The breakthrough enhances understanding of processes occurring in top cells and paves the way for further innovation in tandem solar cell development.
Scientists at the University of St Andrews propose that solar flare ions reach over 60 million degrees, contradicting the long-held assumption of equal ion and electron temperatures. This discovery could provide an unexpected solution to a decades-long astrophysics mystery about the enigmatic line widths of solar flare spectra.
The European Space Agency-led Solar Orbiter mission has split energetic particles into two groups, tracing them back to distinct solar outbursts. Researchers found that one type of particle is connected to intense solar flares and the other to larger coronal mass ejections.
Researchers are testing how crops grow between rows of solar panels on a farm in New York state. The team is growing various crops, including strawberries, raspberries, and soybeans, with promising early results.
Astronomers captured dark coronal loop strands with unprecedented clarity during an X1.3-class flare, measuring 48.2 km in width, the smallest ever imaged. The team's high-resolution images offer a potential breakthrough in resolving the fundamental scale of solar coronal loops and improving space weather forecasting.
A study published in the journal Joule estimates that space-based solar power could reduce Earth-based renewable energy costs by 7-15% and offset up to 80% of wind and solar power by 2050. The heliostat design, with higher potential for continuous solar energy capture, would outperform wind and solar power.
A recent study published in Nature Astronomy confirmed decades-old theoretical models of magnetic reconnection in the solar corona, using data from NASA's Parker Solar Probe. The research provides new insights into the process that drives solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can impact technology on Earth.
A new study reveals that households with solar panels can increase their returns by selling surplus power directly to their neighbours through peer-to-peer energy sharing. This approach helps stabilize the electricity grid and negotiates a better price for households compared to traditional grid export arrangements.
Researchers at University College London developed durable new solar cells capable of efficiently harvesting energy from indoor light. The team successfully reduced defects in the perovskite material, increasing efficiency and durability, paving the way for electronics powered by ambient light.
Researchers develop hybrid energy storage system to address solar intermittency challenges. The dual-level design combines lithium-ion batteries with supercapacitors to extend battery lifespan and optimize costs.
Scientists at the University of Sharjah have developed a cooling system that utilizes waste air from central air conditioning systems to cool the rear surfaces of solar panels. The system is designed to reduce energy losses caused by high operating temperatures and can recover up to 10% more solar power production.
Researchers at KIMS developed a highly durable flexible perovskite solar cell material and fabrication process that remains stable under high humidity conditions. The breakthrough enables the production of high-efficiency solar cells in ambient air without expensive equipment, offering significant cost reductions.
Researchers found that solar energy delivers the biggest climate payoff in certain US regions, with California and Florida seeing significant CO2 reductions. A 15% increase in solar power led to a reduction of up to 147.18 metric tons of CO2 in California alone.
A research team at HKUST introduces comprehensive bio-inspired multiscale design strategies to address key challenges in commercializing perovskite solar cells. The approaches focus on leveraging insights from natural systems to create solar cells that can withstand environmental stressors and prolonged use.
Researchers at DGIST successfully developed thin-film solar cells with a narrow band gap that can operate at low temperatures and achieve high efficiencies on transparent substrates. The technology enables the production of bifacial solar cells that can generate power from both front and back sides, increasing overall efficiency.
Researchers have developed perovskite solar cells that can effectively convert indoor lighting into electrical power. The cells achieved a power conversion efficiency rate of 38.7% under dim light conditions, making them suitable for charging devices in various environments, including offices.
The Parker Solar Probe team received the 2024 Robert J. Collier Trophy for their record-breaking solar encounter, which included a closest approach of 3.8 million miles above the Sun's surface. The mission provided groundbreaking data and imagery on the solar wind, heliosphere, and coronal mass ejections.
A comprehensive cost-effectiveness analysis of perovskite solar cells offers insights into their potential to outperform crystalline silicon ones. The study highlights the need for improvements in efficiency, yield, and stability, as well as reduced materials and equipment costs.
The PUNCH mission has successfully imaged a huge solar eruption, providing unprecedented views of coronal mass ejections and the solar wind. The spacecraft constellation is enabling scientists to better understand and predict space weather events that can disrupt communications and endanger satellites.
A new study reveals seven forms of corruption in California's solar market, including favoritism and tax evasion, which undermine the potential for a just energy transition. The research implicates solar energy in corruption practices affecting communities, policymaking, and regulation.
A Southwest Research Institute-led study using NASA's Parker Solar Probe has identified a new source of energetic particles in the nascent solar wind. The research found that magnetic reconnection near the heliospheric current sheet heats the solar atmosphere and accelerates charged particles to near-relativistic speeds.
Scientists have observed ultra-narrow bright and dark stripes on the solar photosphere, offering unprecedented insight into how magnetic fields shape solar surface dynamics. These striations are linked to magnetic fluctuations that alter plasma density and opacity.
Large-scale solar arrays will occupy approximately 0.2 percent of agricultural land in Arkansas, with projected impacts on crop prices and proximal real estate value. Researchers found that utility-scale solar projects can coexist with agriculture through integrated systems like agrivoltaics.
Researchers developed a composite material that enhances solar cell performance, raising power output and lifespan while reducing heat absorption and electricity consumption. The passive cooling technology, tested in various environments, showed excellent results with increased power output by 12.9% and lifespan by over 200%.
A new solar X-ray detector on board the MSS-1B satellite achieves high accuracy in detecting spectral characteristics of X-ray solar flares. The instrument features a wide energy range, high count rate, and excellent spectral resolution.
A study analyzing forestry records from 1974 to 2022 found that bark beetle-induced logging follows a distinct cycle aligned with solar activity, with lower solar activity leading to higher outbreaks. The North Atlantic Oscillation also impacts weather patterns, exacerbating beetle outbreaks during negative phases.
A new study by SwRI scientists reveals that solar energetic particles (SEPs) can be twice as fast as the solar wind and are more effectively accelerated to higher energies due to their distinct velocity distribution. This discovery is crucial for understanding radiation hazards to astronauts.
Researchers have developed record-breaking efficient all-organic solar cells that can be safely incinerated like regular plastics, reducing environmental impact. The new cells achieve more than twice the power conversion efficiency of previous models, overcoming major challenges in film-type solar cell technology.
The Inouye Solar Telescope has begun analyzing the Sun with its new spectro-polarimeter, VTF, which can determine crucial properties of plasma flows and magnetic fields. The instrument offers unprecedented spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution to study the dynamic nature of our star.
A new study reveals that incorporating CPMAC into perovskite solar cells enhances energy efficiency and stability, reducing defects in the electron transfer layer and improving performance.
A new study found that financial benefits, such as saving on utility payments and avoiding electricity rate hikes, are a key driver of US adults' willingness to consider installing rooftop or subscribing to community solar power. The study also revealed that most participants didn't understand what community solar is and had not looked...
The PUNCH mission has successfully collected its first images of the solar corona using four small spacecraft that act as a single virtual instrument. The images show the outer atmosphere of the Sun in stunning detail, with scientists aiming to remove background light and preserve the faint signal of the solar wind.