NASA's Parker Solar Probe captured stunning views of Venus during its close flyby in July 2020. The onboard Wide-field Imager for Parker Solar Probe detected a bright rim around the edge of the planet that may be nightglow.
The University of Toledo will develop flexible solar cell sheets to harness solar energy in space and transmit power wirelessly to Earth. The five-year project aims to create large, efficient solar arrays that could generate up to 800 megawatts of electrical power.
Researchers found that grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) owners are undercompensated in most of the U.S., as the value of solar eclipses net metering and two-tiered rates. This study provides a generalized model to evaluate the economics of grid-tied PV systems, showing substantial future regulatory reform is needed.
Researchers at NUST MISIS developed a new structure for perovskite solar cells using MXenes, increasing power conversion efficiency to over 19%. The modified cells show superior performance and improved stabilized power output compared to reference devices.
Researchers have developed a framework to predict the performance of next-generation hybrid photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar collectors. The study reveals that the relative value of thermal energy to electricity significantly influences efficiency limits, optimal PV cell material, and spectral-splitting filter design.
Researchers created perovskite solar modules with improved stability and efficiency using a new fabrication technique that reduced defects. The modules showed high efficiencies for over 1000 hours, overcoming obstacles in scalability.
A team of researchers discovered that the early Solar System formed in two distinct steps, resulting in different planetary compositions and evolutionary paths. The study explains why the inner planets are small and dry, while the outer planets are larger and wet.
Scientists have gained new insight into the solar structures that create the Sun's flow of high-speed solar wind. Using NASA data and cutting-edge image processing, researchers discovered plumelets, smaller strands of material within solar plumes, which shape the solar wind's characteristics.
A new study from Incheon National University reveals a fully transparent solar cell that can absorb UV light while transmitting most visible light. The cell's performance is encouraging, with a power conversion efficiency of 2.1% and high responsiveness in low light conditions.
Scientists at the University of Tsukuba investigated perovskite solar cell deterioration using electron spin resonance spectroscopy. They discovered that changes in spin states are linked to changes in hole transport and interfacial electric dipole layer formation, suggesting potential ways to prevent degradation.
A RIT professor is leading a research project to develop low-cost, high-efficiency solar cells using a reusable substrate process. The goal is to reduce the cost of these efficient solar cells, which can power devices like smartphones, drones, and cars.
The Inouye Solar Telescope has released its first image of a sunspot, revealing striking details of the sunspot's structure. The image achieves a spatial resolution about 2.5 times higher than ever previously achieved, showing magnetic fields as small as 20 kilometers on the surface of the Sun.
TalTech's new generation monograin layer solar cells have been developed with a focus on reducing the ecological footprint and increasing efficiency. The Cu2CdGe(SxSe1?x)4 semiconductor material shows promising results, with a power conversion efficiency of 6.4%.
Researchers at CCNY have overcome barriers for bio-inspired solar energy harvesting materials by using small cross-linking molecules to stabilize supra-molecular assemblies. This breakthrough could transform sustainable solar energy technologies and improve their efficiency.
Researchers developed a portable solar-powered device that generates steam hot enough to sterilize medical instruments without relying on well-built infrastructure or electricity. The device's transparent aerogel insulates the system, reducing heat loss and increasing energy efficiency.
A Purdue University team has been named a quarterfinalist in the US Department of Energy's Solar Desalination Prize for their innovative technology to purify high salinity water using solar power. The NoAir system aims to use high-temperature solar heat and hybrid desalination technologies to produce clean water from saltwater.
A new study from Incheon National University develops an eco-friendly buffer for solar panels, increasing efficiency and sustainability. The ZTO buffer uses naturally abundant materials, reducing toxicity and costs.
Researchers discovered that targeted financial incentives, leasing models, and property-assessed clean energy financing increase solar adoption equity in low- and middle-income households. This expansion can lead to a spillover effect, making surrounding neighborhoods more likely to adopt solar as well.
The $2.5 million DOE grant project will investigate a newly designed molten salt valve to improve reliability and reduce maintenance costs in concentrating solar power systems. The advanced valve design aims to withstand extreme temperatures and pressures, reducing material stress and fatigue.
Scientists have discovered that ionization energy is more crucial than electron affinity in determining the efficiency of organic solar cells. This finding allows for precise design rules to be derived, aiming to maximize solar cell efficiency and potentially leading to transparent solar cells with high efficiency.
A team of researchers from Arizona State University compared the sun's composition to ancient materials formed in the solar system, finding that oxygen isotopes were inherited from the protosolar molecular cloud. This suggests that ultraviolet light processing occurred before the solar nebula formed.
Scientists at the University of Córdoba studied new solar tracking strategies to maximize electric production. They proposed a tracking strategy that uses backtracking to avoid casting shadows among panels, resulting in an annual increase of 2% more energy production.
The University of Surrey has made significant advancements in perovskite tandem solar cells, achieving higher power conversion efficiencies through adjustments to thickness and the development of more effective protective layers. This progress holds promise for accelerating commercialization and promoting a shift towards green energy.
A Cornell University professor has been awarded a grant to study the coexistence of agriculture and energy development in New York State. The project aims to determine efficient solar farm array configurations to avoid land-use conflicts and spoil precious agricultural space.
A new solar panel design using checkerboard lines can absorb up to 125% more light, leading to the creation of thinner, lighter, and more flexible panels. This breakthrough could enable a rapid expansion of photovoltaics and greatly reduce carbon footprint.
New research suggests climate change could lead to fewer sunny days for hot regions, impacting solar power production. Increased atmospheric moisture and aerosols may result in a decrease in solar radiation and an uptick in cloudy days, particularly in arid regions like the Middle East and American Southwest.
A new EU project aims to develop prototypes of a molecular solar thermal energy storage system (MOST) for larger scale applications. The technology can store and release solar power on demand, generating interest worldwide.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee discovered a way to slow phonons, waves that transport heat, in photovoltaic materials. This discovery holds promise for improving novel hot-carrier solar cells, which convert sunlight to electricity more efficiently than conventional solar cells by harnessing...
A WPI mathematician has confirmed a 224-year-old conjecture on the formation of solar systems using mathematical equations, revealing that ring emergence is crucial for creation. This research also has implications for climate change and humanity's place in the universe.
According to a study by University of Colorado Denver researcher Serena Kim, 20% of US airports have adopted solar photovoltaic systems over the last decade. Airports operated by general-purpose governments have deployed solar panels more than special-purpose governments.
Scientists investigate how perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells perform in sunny and hot environments, finding that the perovskite bandgap gets larger as the device heats up, allowing more stable compositions to be used.
A study from California Polytechnic State University finds that offshore winds in the Central Coast increase when demand is greatest, making them an ideal candidate to fill the gap left by solar and on-shore wind energy production. The study suggests that offshore wind energy could play a crucial role in meeting California's ambitious ...
Researchers at Linkæping University have developed a molecule that can absorb and store solar energy. The molecule is part of a group known as molecular photoswitches and can undergo a chemical reaction to change its energy state, enabling efficient storage of solar energy.
An international team has successfully mapped the global distribution of the coronal magnetic field for the first time. Using observations from the Coronal Multi-channel Polarimeter, they applied a technique called magnetoseismology to infer the average magnitudes of the magnetic field in the corona.
A physics-based model predicts imminent large solar flares with high accuracy, using a double-arc instability theory. The kappa scheme has been tested on 200 active regions and demonstrated its effectiveness in predicting solar flare occurrence and location.
For the first time, researchers have measured the global magnetic field of the solar corona. By applying magneto-seismology to observations from Coronal Multi-channel Polarimeter (CoMP), they mapped the magnetic field in the global corona using wave propagation speed and density data.
Two types of solar cells, perovskite and organic, were tested in space as part of the MAPHEUS 8 program, achieving efficiency levels of 25% and generating power under exceptional conditions. The results show promise for future aerospace applications, particularly for missions to the outer solar system.
Scientists have discovered helium structures in the Sun's atmosphere using a NASA sounding rocket, revealing new insights into the origin and acceleration of the solar wind. The findings suggest that the abundance of helium is strongly connected to the magnetic field and speed of the solar wind in the corona.
A new study finds that transitioning to renewable energy in Europe can reduce land requirements by prioritizing offshore wind power and large solar parks. The study suggests that these alternatives can achieve a fully renewable electricity supply while minimizing additional costs.
Researchers have developed a new method to map the magnetic field of the solar corona using near-infrared observations. The technique, presented in a recent study, can provide detailed maps of the coronal magnetic field across the entire observable corona.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed wedge-shaped luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) that can be hung on walls to capture and convert sunlight into electric power. The technology has shown promise in reducing energy needs for buildings, particularly in urban settings where roof space is limited.
Researchers at Aalto University found that the quiet Sun is more active than previously thought, with radio brightenings and solar storms detected during the solar minimum period. These findings suggest that solar activity cycles may not always follow traditional 11-year patterns.
Researchers at Cornell University have found that photovoltaic wafers made from all-perovskite structures outperform traditional silicon-based solar panels. This breakthrough could lead to a more sustainable future for solar energy, with perovskite cells offering faster returns on investment and lower environmental impacts.
Scientists developed a new model using NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory data, predicting seven of the Sun's biggest flares from the last solar cycle. The model identified key characteristics in active regions, including magnetic reconnection and unstable arches, to predict massive flares.
A new physics-based model, κ-scheme, predicts imminent large solar flares more reliably than previous methods. The model forecasts solar flares up to 20 hours in advance and identifies their location and energy release.
A recent study published in Nature Astronomy reveals the location of energy release in solar eruptions, finding that relativistic electrons are accelerated in a specific region known as the magnetic bottle. This breakthrough confirms a theoretical model and provides new insights into the complex process of solar flares.
Researchers from Texas A&M University designed a single device called PINE that improves energy delivery between home solar-power systems and the electrical grid. The device regulates grid voltage, integrates solar energy, and manages energy flow, making homes less dependent on the external power grid during blackouts.
A new membrane distillation process that uses solar heat to produce drinking water from seawater or wastewater has been developed. The technology can double the production of drinking water compared to existing methods, making it a promising solution for isolated areas without access to potable water.
A study by UC Davis finds that ground-mounted solar energy development in the Mojave Desert harms native plants, including cacti and Mojave yucca, culturally significant to indigenous tribes. Management options like 'halos' can conserve these species, but developing solar energy on undeveloped lands is more sustainable.
Scientists have created next-generation solar modules with high efficiency and good stability using perovskite material. The breakthroughs address key issues such as scalability and durability, paving the way for commercialization.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have created a perovskite solar mini module with the highest power conversion efficiency, paving the way for market adoption. The use of thermal co-evaporation enables scalable production of large-area perovskite solar cells.
Researchers have developed a highly efficient solar-flow battery that can store and redeliver renewable electricity from the sun. The device achieved a record efficiency of 20 percent conversion, outperforming previous records by 40%. This breakthrough could potentially yield a new way to harness, store and use the sun's energy for sol...
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison created a highly efficient and long-lasting solar flow battery, achieving a record efficiency of 20%. The device combines silicon solar cells with advanced materials integrated with optimally designed chemical components.
Researchers have identified the structural changes and metallization caused by external pressure in hybrid Perovskite solar cells. The study provides a theoretical explanation for phase transition and metallization, paving the way for high-performance solar cell materials that can withstand extreme environments.
The study demonstrates that solar assisted heating networks can reduce environmental impact by up to 89.3% compared to traditional heat generation methods, while also providing economic benefits through cost reduction of up to 66%. The system is most effective in larger communities, with a return on investment within 13.7 years.
A new mathematical model for solar irradiance prediction has been developed at Uppsala University and proved highly reliable. The MCM model provides accurate forecasts of solar power production fluctuations, enabling greater control over solar energy use.
Researchers from NYU Abu Dhabi used helioseismology to analyze the Sun's interior and found that the meridional flow is a single cell in each hemisphere. This process determines the characteristics of the sunspot cycle, supporting the flux-transport dynamo model.
Scientists studied sunspots and their movement, discovering a giant cell in each hemisphere with plasma moving towards the equator at 15 km/h. The meridional flow explains why sunspots emerge closer to the equator as solar cycles progress.
Researchers at KU Leuven have created a self-consistent simulation of solar flares, allowing them to calculate the energy conversion efficiency. This breakthrough enables the prediction of key aspects of space weather phenomena, including the Northern Lights.
A new study in Nature reveals a process that allows molecules to guide scientists on how to modify them for better solar energy absorption and conversion. By mimicking the energy conversion systems found in nature, researchers aim to develop more abundant, scalable materials for solar energy technology.