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.
Researchers have created a new ceramic material that can harness energy from visible and infrared light, not just ultraviolet light. The material has shown significant improvement over today's classic ferroelectric material, absorbing six times more energy and transferring a photocurrent 50 times denser.
IRIS has captured detailed images of the interface region between the sun's surface and corona, revealing more violent and turbulent phenomena than previously understood. The mission's observations also provide new insights into solar eruptive events and the dynamics of the low solar atmosphere.
Researchers at DESY's PETRA III facility watched organic solar cells degrade in real time, revealing a mechanism of degradation that involves growth and receding of active domains. The study could lead to new approaches for increasing the stability of this promising type of solar cell.
The Total Solar Irradiance Calibration Transfer Experiment (TCTE) mission aims to provide accurate measurements of the sun's energy impact on Earth. The new instrument, deployed in November 2013, will overlap with the existing TIM instrument to ensure continuous data flow and improve accuracy.
Comet ISON, a time capsule from the solar system's formation, will be observed by NASA's solar observing fleet as it approaches the sun. The comet's journey will provide valuable insights into the solar wind and atmosphere.
The SAPC working group has developed three standard contract templates for residential and commercial solar power projects, with the goal of increasing consumer transparency and private-sector investment. The contracts cover residential leases and commercial power purchase agreements, allowing developers to increase business opportunit...
Researchers replicate formation of first silicate dust and find matching oxygen isotopes in stony meteorites, solving long-standing solar system formation puzzle. The discovery suggests a simple physical chemistry principle governed the early solar system.
NTU scientists have made a breakthrough in solar technology by developing a new material that is five times cheaper to produce and generates almost as much power as current thin film solar cells. The material, called perovskite, converts up to 15% of sunlight to electricity, close to the efficiency of current solar cells.
Scientists have developed a new solar panel design that improves efficiency by up to 22% using aluminum studs, which bend and trap light inside the absorbing layer. This technology has the potential to make thin and flexible solar panels available at competitive prices, powering everything from domestic appliances to portable electronics.
The study finds that high levels of wind and solar power reduce fossil fuel costs by $7 billion per year, while incurring cycling costs of $35 million to $157 million. Cycling increases operations and maintenance costs by $0.47 to $1.28 per megawatt-hour of generation.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new connection between stacked solar cells that can handle high-intensity solar energies without losing voltage. This breakthrough could improve the overall efficiency of solar energy devices and reduce production costs.
A study reveals that China's dominance in solar panel manufacturing is driven by larger-scale production and supply-chain benefits, not just cheaper labor. Future innovations in crystalline solar cell technology may help equalize prices by enhancing access to materials and expanding manufacturing scale across regions.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed solar cells that can restore their effectiveness after degradation due to ultraviolet rays. The device uses a microfluidic regeneration system, mimicking the branching networks found in nature, to replenish photoactive molecules and maintain performance.
Organic solar cells have been found to improve their performance by manipulating the 'spin' of electrons, which can block energy collapse and increase current from the cell. This breakthrough could close the gap between organic and silicon solar cells, bringing large-scale deployment closer to reality.
A new NREL report provides detailed land-use data for solar power plants, showing that a large fixed tilt photovoltaic plant requires an average of 2.8 acres for solar panels to generate 1 gigawatt-hour per year. The study found that small single-axis PV systems require on average 2.9 acres per annual gigawatt-hour, while concentrating...
Scientists predict the sun's magnetic field will reverse in three to four months, affecting space weather and potentially cosmic rays. This change marks the midpoint of Solar Cycle 24, with half of 'solar max' behind and half yet to come.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have made a significant breakthrough in solar energy research by experimenting with plasmonic black metals. These nanostructured metals can trap light and increase solar absorption, paving the way for more efficient photovoltaic cells.
Researchers at Rice University developed a solar-powered sterilization system using nanomaterials to kill microbes and viruses in human waste. The 'solar steam' technology has an overall energy efficiency of 24 percent, making it suitable for off-grid use and sanitation for billions of people.
Astronomers use ALMA to image a snow line around TW Hydrae, a young star 175 light-years away, providing clues about the early Solar System. The discovery sheds light on the role of snow lines in planet formation and potentially seeds life with essential organic molecules.
Engineers at Oregon State University have developed a new process for making thin-film solar cells using ethylene glycol and CZTS, a compound with excellent optical properties. The approach could lead to lower costs and wider adoption of solar energy.
The GPM Core satellite completed two pre-vibration solar array deployment tests, simulating the satellite's deployment in space. The successful tests showcased the satellite's support system and air cushion design, which reduce friction and mimic how the solar array would float in space.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new approach to improve solar cells by creating the thinnest and most lightweight panels possible. These panels, made from stacked sheets of one-molecule-thick materials such as graphene or molybdenum disulfide, could produce up to 1,000 times more power per pound than conventional photovoltaics.
A strong X1.2 class solar flare was detected on May 14, 2013, with a non-Earth-directed CME caused by the flare. The CME is traveling at speeds of up to 745 miles per second and may impact spacecraft in its path.
Saudi Arabia is working with the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to set up networks for measuring solar radiation in varying meteorological conditions. The partnership aims to train Saudi engineers and install over 50 monitoring stations to gauge the best spots for solar power plants.
The May 12, 2013 solar flare was classified as an X1.7, making it the first X-class flare of 2013 and part of the sun's normal 11-year activity cycle. The flare was associated with a coronal mass ejection (CME) that sent solar material into space, but was not Earth-directed.
The grant aims to improve solar energy system efficiency and reduce costs in West Michigan. Researchers will collect data on residential and commercial solar installations to better understand the region's unique conditions.
Thin film solar cells can be removed from a silicon substrate by dipping them in water at room temperature. The cells can then attach to almost any surface after exposure to heat of about 90°C for a few seconds.
The US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has launched an initiative to build an open-source database of real-world performance from solar facilities. The Open Solar Performance and Reliability Clearinghouse (O-SPaRC) aims to provide critical data on the long-term performance of residential and commercia...
Researchers at EPFL created a nanowire solar cell that captures up to 12 times more light than traditional flat solar cells, producing more energy with lower costs.
The Solar Access to Public Capital (SAPC) working group aims to standardize power purchase agreements and develop robust datasets to assess performance and credit-default risk. This effort is expected to attract additional investors to the solar asset class, potentially lowering the cost of solar energy.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology and Purdue University developed efficient solar cells using natural substrates derived from trees, enabling quick recycling in water. The organic solar cells reach a power conversion efficiency of 2.7 percent, paving the way for a truly recyclable and sustainable solar cell technology.
The Particles and Fields Package has been integrated onto the MAVEN spacecraft, which will study the solar wind and ionosphere of Mars. The package includes six science instruments that can process up to one million events per second, measuring properties such as solar ultraviolet flux and energetic particles produced in solar storms.
Researchers at NCAR are creating a prototype system to forecast sunlight and resulting power every 15 minutes, enabling utilities to continuously anticipate available solar energy. The project aims to improve cloud prediction accuracy, helping utilities tap into solar energy more effectively and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Researchers propose that charged particles trapped in the region create the ribbon as they escape as neutral atoms, producing higher fluxes of ENAs and forming the bright ribbon seen by IBEX. The model shows good association with observed data, offering insights into the nearby galactic magnetic field and its strength.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new organic solar cell design that maximizes light trapping using a geometric pattern inspired by natural evolution. The design achieved a three-fold increase over the Yablonovitch Limit, a thermodynamic limit for photon trapping in semiconductors.
Researchers from Lund University have made a significant breakthrough in solar cell technology, demonstrating the potential for nanowires to produce 13.8% efficient energy. The nanowire solar cells can absorb sunlight more efficiently than traditional silicon cells, offering higher efficiency at a lower cost.
Scientists at NREL have developed a new type of solar cell that converts 44% of sunlight into electrical energy, surpassing previous records. The cell uses multiple layers to capture different wavelengths of light and has the potential to be used in utility-scale energy production.
Scientists used Cluster data to study the spatial characteristics of turbulence in the solar wind, finding evidence of small 'current sheets' that dissipate magnetic energy into heat. These current sheets play a crucial role in the dissipation of turbulence, contributing to the overall heating of the solar wind.
Researchers have successfully developed the world's first peel-and-stick thin-film solar cells, vastly expanding the potential applications of solar technology. The breakthrough allows for flexible and decal-like solar panels that can be attached to various surfaces without losing efficiency.
Researchers found iron 60, a radioactive sign of an exploding star, in low abundance and uniformly distributed in solar system material. The findings suggest the low levels of iron 60 likely came from long-term accumulation of iron 60 in interstellar medium rather than a nearby cataclysmic event.
Experts predict solar power prices will continue falling through 2025, expanding greatly in the process. Continued commitment to research and development is crucial for long-term trends to sustain themselves.
Researchers at Penn State University have developed a new type of optical fiber with integrated solar-cell capabilities that can be scaled to long lengths and woven into flexible fabrics. This technology has the potential to revolutionize portable electronics, offering lightweight, foldable, and wearable power sources.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a simple and economic way to nearly triple the efficiency of organic solar cells using a nanostructured metal film called PlaCSH. The new technology also shows promise for increasing the efficiency of conventional inorganic solar collectors like silicon panels.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has released a 20-year updated version of the US National Solar Radiation Database, providing critical information for solar system designers. The updated database features improved cloud algorithms and an enhanced State University of New York model for gridded data based on satellite observations.
Rice University scientists have developed a super-efficient solar-energy technology that converts sunlight into steam directly, with an overall energy efficiency of 24 percent. The 'solar steam' method uses nanoparticles to heat water instantly vaporizing it and creating steam from nearly frozen water.
A mid-level solar flare, classified as M6, was observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on November 13, 2012. The flare caused a moderate radio blackout affecting GPS and communications signals for several minutes to hours.