Two significant solar flares were captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on September 6, 2017, with the largest flare peaking at an X9.3 classification. This event had a significant impact on Earth's atmosphere and GPS signals.
Researchers at NREL and EPFL achieved record efficiencies of 32.8% and 35.9% for dual-junction and triple-junction solar cells, respectively. The high-efficiency cells could reduce the cost of solar energy by up to 45 cents per watt.
Researchers at Georgia State University discovered that a process called inverted-region electron transfer contributes to the high efficiency of solar energy conversion in photosynthesis. This mechanism can be used to design new and better types of artificial solar cells.
Researchers used Stampede2 supercomputer to forecast solar eclipse corona, shedding light on sun's structure and space weather. The simulations, completed with NASA's Pleiades and other computers, provided highly detailed models of the sun's surface and predicted the solar corona's appearance during the Aug. 21 eclipse.
Scientists have tracked a solar storm using data from 10 NASA and ESA spacecraft, shedding light on how coronal mass ejections (CMEs) move through space. The study provides key information for understanding space weather effects on the solar system.
Researchers in the Netherlands have created efficient green solar panels using soft imprint lithography, which scatter green light and maintain a 10% power reduction. The technology has potential to widen solar panel use as an architectural design element.
A solar filament rose from the surface of the Sun but collapsed due to invisible magnetic forces, preventing an eruption. Scientists used data from multiple NASA observatories and ground-based telescopes to track the event and develop a model that explains how the Sun's magnetic landscape terminates eruptions.
A sunspot, dubbed AR12665, was tracked by NASA's satellites as it rotated into view on July 5, 2017. The active region produced several solar flares, a coronal mass ejection, and a solar energetic particle event over its 13-day journey.
Researchers from KIT have developed sunglasses with colored, semitransparent solar cells that supply a microprocessor and two displays with electric power. The solar cell lenses are thin and lightweight, generating enough power to operate devices like hearing aids or step counters in indoor environments.
Scientists have discovered evidence of a type of seismic wave in the Sun using data from NASA's SOHO. The waves, called g-modes, reveal that the solar core is rotating approximately once every week, nearly four times faster than its surface.
A team of researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology is exploring the use of nanowires and new materials to improve solar cell technology. By maximizing the amount of solar spectrum that can be absorbed, they aim to increase the efficiency of solar power conversion and make it more cost-effective for consumer markets.
Researchers at Osaka University develop new method to create submicron structures on silicon surfaces, reducing reflection and increasing infrared light capture. The approach improves power conversion efficiency of solar cells while keeping manufacturing costs low.
Researchers at UNIST have achieved a new world record efficiency performance of 22.1% in small cells and 19.7 percent in 1-square-centimeter cells using perovskite solar cells. The breakthrough is made possible by careful control of growth conditions to fix defects that reduce photoelectric efficiency.
A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge and the US has demonstrated a non-toxic alternative to lead for use in next-generation solar cells, using bismuth oxyiodide. The material shows comparable performance to current silicon-based solar cells, with efficiencies up to 22%.
A new study shows that rooftop concentrating photovoltaics can produce over 50% more energy than standard silicon solar cells, reaching 30% efficiency in outdoor testing. The system's embedded microtracking technology enables efficient tracking of the sun and maximizes energy production.
A new study resolves the ongoing debate about the Sun's cyclic behavior by showing it follows the same pattern as other nearby solar-type stars. The research suggests that the Sun's magnetic cycle depends on its rotation rate and luminosity, advancing scientists' understanding of stellar magnetic fields.
Researchers have created a highly efficient solar cell that captures nearly all the energy in the solar spectrum, converting direct sunlight to electricity with 44.5% efficiency. The new design uses concentrator photovoltaic panels and stacked cells to capture energy from specific wavelengths of light.
Researchers have developed two types of solar cells with different photosensitizers, achieving higher efficiency and stability. The study used novel instrumentation to investigate environmental effects on photocurrent generated by solar cells.
A new dataset provides improved representation of solar variability, enabling more accurate climate model simulations and distinguishing natural from anthropogenic processes. The dataset includes enhanced estimates of solar forcing and particle effects, which may counteract rising Earth temperatures.
A new study estimates that air pollution and dust are cutting global solar energy production by more than 25% in certain parts of the world, with China, India, and the Arabian Peninsula being the hardest hit. The regions experiencing heavy losses are also those investing the most in solar energy installations.
A study by Michigan Technological University found that transitioning to solar photovoltaics (PV) could save up to 51,999 American lives at $1.1 million invested per life. Solar power also has economic value, producing electricity that can be profitable to invest in, sometimes as much as several million dollars per life.
Scientists have developed an ultra-stable perovskite solar cell with a constant efficiency of 11.2% for more than 10,000 hours, resolving stability issues and paving the way for commercialization. The 2D/3D hybrid perovskite design efficiently absorbs light across the visible spectrum and transports electrical charges.
A team of researchers has directly observed the magnetic field in the upper solar atmosphere for the first time using ultraviolet spectropolarimetry. The study reveals more complex structures in the chromosphere and transition region than expected, with polarization varying on a spatial scale of 10-20 arcseconds.
Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology are investigating solar physics to improve prediction and countermeasures for explosive solar events. They're using high-resolution radio data from state-of-the-art telescopes like Owens Valley Solar Array.
Researchers created a model to measure the impact of policy on commercial solar photovoltaic adoption in California, providing new insight into energy policy. The study found that government incentives have a greater impact on larger commercial customers and smaller businesses face unique hurdles when adopting solar PV systems.
Researchers have found a significant relationship between solar wind speed and North Atlantic Oscillation, suggesting a faster mechanism of solar influence on atmospheric systems. The team also developed a physical model to depict the interdecadal response of air-sea systems to solar activity.
New data from NASA's Cassini mission, combined with measurements from Voyager spacecraft and IBEX, suggests that the sun's magnetic field creates a rounded heliosphere, rather than a comet-shaped structure. The study reveals that the heliosphere is nearly symmetrical, which could impact how cosmic rays reach the inner solar system.
Researchers at Kobe University developed a new solar cell structure that can absorb spectral components of longer wavelengths, increasing energy conversion efficiency to over 50%. The design achieved up-conversion based on two photons, reducing energy loss by over 100 times compared to previous methods.
The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) has developed the world's first full-size IBC bifacial solar module, capable of producing up to 400 Watts of electric power. The module features a double-glass structure, low-temperature interconnections, and high-efficiency ZEBRA solar cells.
A new study reveals that financialization in the US impaired its emerging solar industry, while Japan's photovoltaics manufacturers thrived. This case study highlights the conflicting relationship between finance and production, and calls for policies that bring productive and financial capital together to support low-carbon industries.
The report recommends increasing US spending on solar R&D, encouraging international collaborations with China, and reforming federal policies to prioritize cost reduction. The researchers argue that the US should capitalize on its strengths in research and development while addressing concerns around intellectual property protection.
Researchers from Aalto University have developed a nanotube film that can replace traditional materials in perovskite solar cells, improving their stability and lifetime. The new material has conductivity as high as possible and can be made transparent and thin, making it suitable for use as the front contact of the cell.
Researchers found a 87 million-year-old signature of resonance transition between Mars and Earth in Colorado rocks, confirming the 'chaotic solar system' theory. This discovery provides a new understanding of the mechanics of the solar system and its impact on climate change over geologic time scales.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a new chemical reaction that enables the growth of an electron-selective layer made of nanoparticles in solution, directly on top of the electrode. This breakthrough reduces the manufacturing temperature and improves efficiency, paving the way for low-cost, printable solar panels.
Researchers estimated the solar nebula's lifetime using ancient meteorites, finding it lasted around 3 to 4 million years. This discovery suggests gas giants Jupiter and Saturn formed within the first 4 million years of the solar system's formation.
The team estimated the solar nebula's lifetime using ancient meteorites that formed 4.653 billion years ago, suggesting it disappeared within the first 4 million years of the solar system's formation. The findings indicate that gas giants Jupiter and Saturn must have formed early in the solar system's history.
A QUT study reveals that solar PV systems are being acquired by families with lower incomes, contradicting the long-held notion that it is a luxury reserved for high-income individuals. The research found that financial capacity, education status, and home ownership were not the primary factors driving solar uptake.
The Fermi telescope has observed high-energy light from solar eruptions on the far side of the sun, which should block direct light. This allows scientists to study how charged particles are accelerated to nearly the speed of light during solar flares.
Researchers found that storing solar energy for nighttime use increases household annual energy consumption by 8-14% and indirectly raises carbon dioxide emissions. This contradicts the myth that storage is needed to integrate distributed solar power.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have directly measured the diffusion length of perovskite solar films, showing that electrons can travel long distances without deteriorating. The findings suggest that solar cells could be made thicker without harming their efficiency, potentially leading to better solar panels.
Astronomers have discovered three young star systems with doomed comets, suggesting a common mechanism for exocomet destruction. The study provides new insights into the past and present activity of comets in our solar system, potentially making life possible on terrestrial planets.
A new study has found that iodide-based perovskites produce a gaseous form of iodine during operation, causing further degradation of the material. The researchers suggest that developing new materials with reduced iodine concentrations or reinforced structures could help address this issue.
A new study published in Nature Communications presents evidence suggesting that a low-mass supernova played a crucial role in the formation of our solar system. The research team analyzed short-lived radioactive nuclei found in meteorites and discovered unique 'fingerprints' that point to a low-mass supernova as the trigger.
Scientists at the University of Surrey achieved record power conversion efficiencies for large area organic solar cells, outperforming traditional inorganic solar cells. The innovative cells can be printed in different colors and shapes, making them ideal for powering devices on-the-go, such as Internet of Things applications.
A team of researchers has developed a new type of quantum heat engine photocell that can regulate solar power conversion without active feedback or adaptive control mechanisms. This design is inspired by the natural regulation of energy flow in photosynthetic green plants, and could lead to more efficient and cost-effective solar cells.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a novel fabrication technique for more efficient plastic solar cells. The new method uses sequentially cast ternary systems to prevent alloying issues, resulting in wider optical sensitivity and increased efficiency.
A team led by Professor Yong-Zhong Qian uses new models and meteorite evidence to show a low-mass supernova triggered the formation of our solar system. The study found that short-lived nuclei in meteorites are consistent with a low-mass supernova trigger, supporting the theory that this event played a key role in solar system formation.
CSIRO's patented low-cost heliostats will be used in China for concentrating solar thermal (CST) electricity generation, helping the country reach its ambitious clean energy targets. The technology has great potential for medium to large-scale solar power due to its low cost of storing thermal energy.
Researchers from Berkeley Lab developed a way to image thin-film solar cells in 3D using optical microscopy, revealing internal obstacles that can trap electrons and reduce efficiency. The method has already improved understanding of the benefits of treating CdTe solar cells with cadmium chloride.
Researchers at Australian National University have developed a new way to fabricate high-efficiency semi-transparent perovskite solar cells, which can improve the performance of conventional silicon solar cells. The new fabrication method could increase power output by up to 25% and achieve efficiencies of up to 30%.
Scientists have developed a new design for solar cells made from perovskite, achieving an average steady-state efficiency of 18.4%. The innovative tandem solar cell combines two types of perovskite into one photovoltaic cell, absorbing nearly the entire spectrum of visible light and outperforming traditional silicon-based solar cells.
Researchers at Clemson University created maps showing the suitability of lands in South Carolina for generating solar energy, with a focus on five-megawatt and one-megawatt developments. The study found that about 4.2% of state land area is suitable for five-megawatt developments, enough to install 69.6 gigawatts of capacity.
Researchers from Stanford and Oxford have created a novel perovskite solar cell design that converts sunlight into electricity with an efficiency of 20.3 percent, rivaling silicon solar cells on the market today.
Scientists have tracked a particular kind of solar wave as it swept upward from the sun's surface through its atmosphere, adding to our understanding of how solar material travels throughout the sun. The study provides a novel tool for scientists to study the atmosphere of the sun and sheds light on the coronal heating problem.
Researchers used DESY's X-ray source PETRA III to observe the degradation of plastic solar cells, revealing that domains shrink and efficiency decreases due to residual solvent additive. Strategies to stabilise structure through chemical bonding or customised encapsulating substances are proposed.
The MinXSS CubeSat collects data on soft X-rays, providing insight into solar flare physics and temperature, density, and abundance of solar flare material. This information is crucial for understanding how flares evolve and heat the sun's atmosphere.
Efficient organic solar cells have been created using a non-fullerene material, achieving high energy efficiency rates of up to 9.5%. This breakthrough indicates that the intrinsic limitations of organic solar cells are comparable to other photovoltaic technologies, paving the way for commercialization.
Scientists at Oxford University have developed a non-toxic solvent system that can be used to manufacture perovskite solar cells, overcoming a major barrier to their commercialization. The clean solvent quickly crystallizes perovskite films at room temperature, making it suitable for coating large solar panels.
Research from the University of Warwick suggests that Planet Nine's existence could lead to the elimination of a giant planet and its ejection into interstellar space. The hypothetical planet's presence could cause a 'pinball' effect, hurling planets out of the solar system as the sun dies in around seven billion years.
Researchers at Southwest Research Institute successfully demonstrated a low-cost miniature solar observatory on a six-hour high-altitude balloon mission. The SwRI Solar Instrument Pointing Platform (SSIPP) collected data on solar soundwaves, which are undetectable by ground-based observatories due to their high frequency.