The $344 million Daniel K Inouye Solar Telescope will utilize cameras designed by a UK university consortium led by Queen's University Belfast to observe the Sun's surface in unprecedented detail. The telescope aims to address fundamental questions in contemporary solar physics.
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology have discovered that a co-solvent added during production increases the efficiency of plastic solar cells, comparable to the role of baking powder in dough mixture. The new understanding will enable more effective development of plastic solar cells.
The NOAA DSCOVR satellite is launching to study the solar wind and forecast space weather at Earth. It will measure the movement of positively-charged particles, negatively-charged electrons, and magnetic fields to determine what heats the solar wind.
Farms in Indiana have a high chance of saving money by using solar energy, thanks to the ability to depreciate their investment. In contrast, homeowners face uncertainty and lower chances of saving. The analysis suggests that putting solar on a level playing field with coal power would give homes more incentive to adopt solar.
Researchers developed a microscale solar concentration technology that enables ultra-high efficiency solar cells to be used on rooftops. The system consists of miniaturized photovoltaic cells, 3D-printed lens arrays and a moveable focusing mechanism, reducing size, weight and cost while increasing power generation.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a physical model explaining electron transport in nanocrystal solar cells, which could lead to improved efficiency. The model reveals that nanocrystal size can be controlled to optimize absorption of sunlight, enabling the creation of flexible and thin solar cells with higher performance.
The reports analyze consumer and commercial loan products available for financing solar in the US, showing that solar loans can be more affordable than third-party financing. Businesses can benefit from owning a PV system by saving on energy bills, but also assume risks associated with ownership.
A combination of foundational policies and localized strategies can increase solar photovoltaic installations in any state. States with matching policy suites to their unique context have excelled, while economic factors must also be favorable for third-party ownership models.
UNSW researchers have successfully converted over 40% of sunlight into electricity, exceeding previous records. The breakthrough is made possible by a custom optical bandpass filter that captures wasted sunlight and converts it at a higher efficiency than commercial solar cells.
Researchers at Forschungszentrum Jülich develop a new method to examine light trapping in solar cells using near-field optical microscopy. They discover that the nature of nanostructures directly affects absorption rates and solar cell efficiency.
Antonio Luque will receive the Karl W. Börner Solar Energy Medal of Merit at a ceremony on March 13, 2015. Luque is being recognized for his work in developing high-efficiency solar cells and stimulating the adoption of renewable energy in Spain.
Scientists mapped magnetic fields in a primitive meteorite, tracing back to the earliest steps of the solar system's formation. The findings point to shock waves traveling through the cloud of dusty gas around the newborn Sun as a major factor.
Sandia National Laboratories has received a $1.2 million award to develop a technique combining metal-organic framework (MOF) materials with dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) to improve photovoltaic efficiency. MOFs' structure, versatility, and porosity help overcome DSSC limitations.
The University of Houston researcher aims to produce high-efficiency, inexpensive thin film photovoltaics with a goal of achieving 24% efficiency and 20 cents per watt. His innovative approach utilizes roll-to-roll manufacturing technology to create solar cells on low-cost metal substrates.
A UNL researcher has received a $1.2 million grant to improve the efficiency of solar cells using perovskite technology, aiming for at least 30% efficiency. The project seeks to refine silicon-based cells by overlaying them with perovskite, taking advantage of the material's natural abundance and properties.
The study provides five key findings on the sun's atmosphere, including heat pockets of 200,000 degrees Fahrenheit and structures resembling mini-tornadoes. These discoveries help researchers better understand the sun's energy transfer and dynamic solar activity that impacts technological infrastructure in space and on Earth.
Researchers at Ohio State University have created a solar cell that can store its own power, reducing the cost of renewable energy. The 'solar battery' combines a mesh solar panel with a battery, allowing for efficient charging and discharging using light and oxygen.
Researchers have developed a model that uses self-organised criticality and fluid dynamics to predict the occurrence of solar flares. The model has shown to be consistent with observations in a quantitative sense, enabling scientists to better understand and prepare for these powerful events.
Researchers at UChicago and Argonne National Lab developed a new polymer that enhances the efficiency of solar cells. The addition of PID2 improved the production of electricity by allowing charges to move more easily throughout the cell.
Dr. Petrus Martens is developing a system to predict solar cycles, aiming to forecast events such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections up to a decade in advance. This could help protect the power grid and inform satellite replacement decisions.
Scientists from DTU have created a new technique to produce cheap, flexible and versatile double solar cells using roll-to-roll processing. The method uses 3D ptychography to image the layer structure of the tandem solar cell, which converts 2.67% of incoming sunlight into electric energy.
The new epitaxial system produces up to 500 wafers per hour, reducing wafer cost to 13 cents per watt and potentially making solar energy more competitive with fossil fuels. The technology has the potential to create American jobs and stem the flow of solar cell manufacturing overseas.
A Northwestern University research team has created a new type of CNT solar cell that absorbs more sunlight, increasing efficiency by a significant margin. The polychiral CNT mixture is able to capture a broader range of solar-spectrum wavelengths, including near-infrared light.
Researchers at Georgia State University have been awarded $1.5 million to develop software tools that can process large sets of solar astronomy data, enabling scientists to perform analyses on unprecedented scales and detail levels. The software improvements will allow the solar community to pursue a wide range of research projects and...
Researchers at Michigan State University developed a transparent luminescent solar concentrator that can be used on buildings, cell phones, and other devices. This technology absorbs specific nonvisible wavelengths of sunlight and converts it to electricity.
Researchers have reconstructed solar activity at the end of the last ice age, showing a persistent link between solar activity and Greenland climate. The study suggests that reduced solar activity could lead to colder winters in Northern Europe, while warmer winters are seen in Greenland with greater snowfall.
Scientists warn of imminent 'solar super-storms' that could cripple critical services like power supplies, transport, and medicine. A predicted Carrington-level event every 150 years poses a significant threat to human health and infrastructure.
Researchers have developed a self-cooling method for solar cells using silica glass to reduce overheating, improving efficiency and lifespan. The design enhances infrared 'window' through Earth's atmosphere to redirect excess heat away from the solar cell.
A team of scientists in China has developed a new type of perovskite solar cell that does not use a hole-transportation layer, showing high efficiency and stability. The innovation reduces production costs and paves the way for a cost-effective branch of development in this type of solar cell.
Researchers have discovered a process called singlet fission that can increase solar cell efficiency by as much as 30 percent. This breakthrough has the potential to make solar cells more energy-efficient and widely adoptable.
A NASA model can predict and visualize the interaction between solar wind, solar radiation, and asteroid surfaces in unprecedented detail. The model adapts to complex activities and provides highly efficient simulations, potentially identifying hazards for human explorers.
Scientists have discovered the corona extends far beyond previous observations, with implications for NASA's Solar Probe Plus mission. Direct measurements of the heliosphere's inner boundary provide new insights into solar particle behavior and the origin of the solar wind.
The GOES-R satellite's solar array provides a stable platform to track the sun's movement, powering critical instruments like EXIS and ABI. The advanced spacecraft will result in more timely and accurate weather forecasts, enhancing public safety and economic health.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have designed a new class of solar-sensitive nanoparticles that can improve solar cell efficiency and air stability. This breakthrough could lead to cheaper and more flexible solar cells, as well as better gas sensors and other optoelectronic devices.
A recent study reveals significant resonance cycles between solar activity and Earth's surface temperature, providing a possible explanation for recent global warming. The research uses wavelet analysis and cross-correlation methods to investigate the periodicities of solar activity and its correlations with the Earth's temperature dur...
Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology have made a groundbreaking discovery about the structure and activity of the Sun. They found that buoyant magnetic-flux ropes on the solar surface can trigger powerful plasma eruptions in the atmosphere, leading to intense heating and rapid acceleration of plasma.
Researchers at NIST have created a new laser-based instrument that simulates sunlight across a broad spectrum, allowing for accurate testing of solar cell properties and potential efficiency boosts. The instrument uses optical-fiber amplifier technology to boost power and a photonic crystal fiber to broaden the spectrum.
A new study found that solar panels made in China have a higher overall carbon footprint and require more energy during manufacturing compared to those made in Europe. The difference is largely due to China's lower environmental and efficiency standards, as well as its reliance on coal-based electricity.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are gathering data on consumer motivations to develop sophisticated computer models for predicting solar purchase dynamics. The project aims to increase the nation's share of solar energy in the electricity market by 2030.
Installing state-of-the-art solar panels on a quarter of a million roofs could meet one-sixth of Scotland's electricity demands, easing the plight of one in three households. The report reveals that harnessing energy from the sun on south-facing buildings could have significant economic, environmental and social impacts.
The Solar Wind Ion Analyzer will measure solar wind ions and density to understand Mars' atmospheric loss. Scientists believe interactions between solar wind ions and Martian particles are key to escape, leading to a barren planet.
The Banking on Solar working group aims to standardize contracts and underwriting processes, educating banks about the risks and rewards of solar assets. This effort has already begun developing standardized loan documents and underwriting criteria in residential and commercial markets.
Northwestern University researchers have developed a new solar cell with good efficiency that uses tin instead of lead perovskite. The low-cost, environmentally friendly solar cell can be made easily using 'bench' chemistry.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed multilayer, microscale solar cells that can operate across the entire solar spectrum at exceptionally high efficiency. The technology enables quadruple-junction four-terminal solar cells with individually measured efficiencies of 43.9 percent.
Clemson professor Rajendra Singh is recognized for his efforts to expand solar deployment across the US, driving policy changes and creating jobs in the industry. He has played a key role in increasing new solar installations, enough to power over 2.2 million American homes.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory and University of Milano-Bicocca have developed large-area luminescent solar concentrators using 'Stokes-shift-engineered' quantum dots. These concentrated solar cells can generate significant power from sunlight, enabling the creation of transparent photovoltaic windows.
Computer simulations suggest that co-locating crops with solar panels could reduce water usage for solar farms in sunny, arid regions. Agave plants, which thrive at high temperatures and poor soil, are being considered as ideal crops for this approach.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a method to produce solar energy materials directly from sunlight, reducing production costs and time. This process uses a continuous flow microreactor to synthesize nanoparticle inks that make solar cells by printing.
A distant dwarf planet, 2012 VP113, has been found to orbit beyond the known edge of the Solar System, challenging our understanding of its boundaries. The discovery suggests an enormous, unseen planet could be influencing the orbits of inner Oort cloud objects.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University have developed a next-generation solar cell material that can also emit light, doubling its potential applications. The material, made from Perovskite, has been found to be highly luminescent and suitable for both solar energy conversion and light emission.
A Stanford University study finds that wind farms can afford lots of grid-scale storage to support up to three days of uninterrupted power. In contrast, the solar industry can only afford about 24 hours of energy storage due to the high energy required for manufacturing solar panels.
The report analyzes state demographics and policy characteristics to contextualize the impact of various solar policies on photovoltaic installations. Four peer groups reveal different policy effectiveness based on demographic factors such as median household income and community interest in renewable energy.
A new study reveals that a pool of dense particles in the magnetosphere can extend out to meet and block incoming solar material, adding an extra layer of protection for spacecraft. This process helps curb magnetic reconnection, allowing energy and solar material to cross the boundary into the magnetosphere.
University of Cincinnati researchers have made a breakthrough in boosting the efficiency of polymer solar cells by adding graphene nanoflakes, increasing performance threefold. The new method aims to make solar-powered panels lighter, less expensive and more flexible.
Researchers at NC State University developed a 'superabsorbing' design that improves light absorption efficiency of thin film solar cells by decreasing semiconductor material thickness. The design, which looks like an onion, can absorb up to 90% of available solar energy using just a 10nm thick layer of amorphous silicon.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin identify microvoids as a source of 10-15% degradation in amorphous silicon thin film solar cells. The discovery is part of the EPR-Solar network funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research.
A new asteroid map reveals that rogue asteroids, once considered anomalous, are actually diverse and widespread throughout the main asteroid belt. The study suggests that the early solar system underwent dramatic changes, potentially affecting planetary migration and Earth's water development.
Researchers at the University of Houston and Universite de Montréal have developed a new theoretical model that may improve the efficiency of solar cells. The model explores quantum-mechanical effects in polymeric semiconductors, which could lead to more efficient materials with blends of semiconducting polymers and fullerenes.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a high-efficiency, scalable method for creating solar-powered water splitting devices using molybdenum sulfide and copper(I) oxide. The new catalyst preserves optical transparency, stability under acidic conditions, and reduces maintenance costs.
A team of researchers from North Carolina State University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences has found an easy way to modify a commonly used polymer in solar cells to increase efficiency. The modification resulted in a significant boost in energy harvesting, with some solar cells showing a 36% improvement over similar polymers.