Researchers at UTSA will develop a solar tracking system to optimize solar energy collection and regulate energy flow between indoor and outdoor environments. They will also work on a prototype of a clean energy technology for steam turbines using supercritical carbon dioxide, aiming to increase efficiency and reduce water usage.
The DGIST research team has developed a flexible CZTSSe thin-film solar cell with an unprecedented efficiency of 11.4%, breaking the previous record. This achievement enables mass production using eco-friendly materials, making it easier to commercialize and apply in various fields like wearables, buildings, and automobiles.
A new study by MIT researchers suggests that solar panels with lifetimes as short as 10 years can make economic sense for grid-scale installations. The team analyzed three types of solar installations and found that the levelized cost of electricity, not just the panel's lifetime, determines economic viability.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed organic solar cells that can harness indoor light to produce electricity. The cells achieve high energy efficiency, with some variants converting up to 26.1% of ambient light into electricity.
Researchers have created a widely applicable and affordable photomicroreactor that utilizes luminescent solar concentrators to efficiently power photochemical reactions. This innovation enables the synthesis of various substances, including pharmaceuticals, using sunlight as a sustainable energy source.
A new algorithm developed by University of Waterloo researchers increases the efficiency of solar photovoltaic systems and reduces power waste, with potential savings of up to 138.9 kWh/year for small home-use systems. The technique could lead to substantial reductions in emissions from large-scale solar farms.
Researchers have made significant advancements in perovskite solar cells by tuning the halide-cation mixture, delaying the collapse of the sol-gel structure and promoting the formation of the desirable α-phase. This leads to improved solar cell performance and stability.
A new study finds that California's rooftop-solar adoption is closely correlated with socioeconomic status and health indicators in disadvantaged communities. The study suggests that state programs must target these communities to improve access to clean energy, rather than relying on broad income classifications.
Agricultural lands are the most productive places for solar power, according to an Oregon State University study. The researchers found that converting less than 1% of land to solar panels would be sufficient to fulfill global electric energy demand.
A team of researchers from UMass Amherst has developed a data-driven approach called DeepRoof that uses machine learning techniques and satellite images to identify rooftops with high solar potential, achieving accuracy of 91%. This method can speed up the process of rooftop installations by analyzing satellite images of entire cities.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have discovered UK-size photospheric plasma swirls generating short-lived Alfvén pulses in the solar atmosphere. These pulses are estimated to carry more than 10 times higher energy flux than needed for heating the local upper solar chromosphere.
Researchers at Siberian Federal University and Royal Institute of Technology discover palladium diselenide, a promising material for more efficient solar cells. The material can absorb solar energy more efficiently than silicon-based materials, increasing the efficiency of solar cells.
Scientists at University of Wisconsin-Madison successfully recreated the sun's solar wind and 'plasma burps' in a laboratory setting, confirming their development and providing an Earth-bound model for future study. The experiment used a three-meter-wide hollow sphere to mimic the sun's plasma and electromagnetic fields.
Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a way to produce butanol, a fourth-generation biofuel, using solar energy, water, and CO2 without the need for solar cells. The microorganisms can efficiently capture the sun's energy and bind to carbon dioxide in the air.
Researchers have identified 'terminator' events that mark the end of sunspot cycles, potentially triggering plasma tsunamis and the start of new solar cycles. The study provides insight into the mysterious timing of sunspot cycles, which are crucial for predicting solar storms that can disrupt Earth's upper atmosphere.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a synthetic approach to generate homogeneous and defect-free crystals that could fast-track the commercialization of perovskite solar cells. The new single-crystal films exhibit lower defect density and higher charge-carrier diffusion lengths, leading to high-quality solar cells with a maximum power-...
A recent study by the University of California, Davis, reveals 20 overlooked advantages of distributed solar energy, such as carbon sequestration and improvements for pollinator habitats. The study provides a framework for analyzing solar projects and highlights the potential of rooftop solar to benefit both humans and wildlife.
A team of UT Austin chemists has received a $1 million grant to develop an innovative new coating for silicon-based solar cells that could increase their efficiency by up to 20%. The coating uses organic dyes to convert more sunlight into electricity, reducing heat losses and energy inefficiencies.
The SULIS mission aims to understand the nature of solar eruptions and track magnetic clouds of charged gas. It will also demonstrate new technologies in space and precision alignment of small satellites flying in formation.
A newly developed aerogel material can passively capture solar heat, reaching temperatures of up to 220°C in tests. This could enable lower-cost and simpler solar heat collection systems for various industrial and domestic uses.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed an historically accurate solar energy model with global, regional and local level performance data made available via open license. The model will help in optimizing future sustainable energy systems by analyzing photovoltaic installations.
Scientists at the University of Delaware and Georgia Tech have won a grant to develop a new approach for improving the efficiency of PERC cells, which are designed to increase electricity generation in solar panels. The team aims to use sulfur and selenium to create more efficient silicon solar cells with improved voltage.
Researchers developed a simpler approach to creating multi-junction solar cells using intermetallic bonding, avoiding significant expense and complexity. The technique enables the creation of high-efficiency solar cells with lower production costs.
Researchers at University of Surrey have developed a tin-based perovskite solar cell with 50% less lead, improving efficiency and reducing toxicity. The technology allows for affordable, flexible, and thin solar panels using low-cost materials.
Research into phosphorene nanosheets has improved the potential of perovskite solar cells by increasing their electricity production efficiency by 2-3%. This breakthrough is significant as it could lead to more efficient and potentially cheaper solar cells, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
The new software can simulate a year's worth of grid interactions in under five minutes, making it easier for utility companies to install rooftop solar panels. This is faster than previous models that took days or even weeks to run a single scenario.
Researchers discovered that adding cesium and rubidium to the synthesis process makes the resulting solar cell more chemically homogeneous and facilitates its formation. This understanding will illuminate future work in developing more efficient halide perovskite solar cells.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered a way to combine perovskite crystals and quantum dots to create a stable hybrid material that can increase the efficiency of solar cells. The resulting material remains stable under ambient conditions for six months, significantly longer than similar materials without stabilization.
Researchers from the University of Münster find that the Moon's collision with Earth brought large quantities of water, essential for life. The discovery sheds light on the Moon's origin and its role in making Earth a habitable planet.
A breakthrough in a new material called a tandem perovskite solar cell has been achieved, bringing efficiency to about 23%, compared to silicon panels at 18% efficient. The goal is to make cheaper and more efficient solar cells that could replace silicon photovoltaic technology.
Researchers discovered that adding fluoride to perovskite leaves a protective layer, increasing its stability and solar cells' efficiency. The study achieved an efficiency of 21.3%, exceeding previous records by up to 24%.
The new bimetalic nanoantenna design generates three times more thermoelectric voltage and is 1.3 times more efficient than classic dipole nanoantennas for solar energy harvesting. This innovation has potential applications in waste heat energy harvesting, sensing, and other fields.
Researchers at EPFL's LRESE have developed an enhanced photo-electrochemical system that can efficiently produce hydrogen using concentrated solar irradiation. The device has achieved a 17% conversion rate and is stable, with the ability to handle stochastic dynamics of daily solar irradiation.
A study by University of Kent researchers found a direct correlation between increasing solar panel demand and rising silver prices, with the latter accounting for 6.1% of solar panel cost.
A collaboration of researchers from ICIQ and ICMAB-CSIC investigated the impact of changing Hole Transport Materials in perovskite solar cells. They found that the surfaces and interfaces created in the solar cell stack have a crucial role in functional device performances.
Researchers at Arizona State University are developing advanced grid models and control technologies to increase the amount of renewable power operating in distribution systems. The goal is to improve grid resilience and performance while ensuring reliable power to critical infrastructures.
A new study using ice cores and tree rings reveals a third massive solar storm in history, occurring in 660 BCE, with others in 775 CE and 994 CE. These rare events pose a risk to electrical grids, communication systems, and air traffic.
A team of scientists used LOFAR data to study a massive solar storm on September 10, 2017, revealing that particles accelerate simultaneously in multiple locations. This discovery may help improve space weather forecasting and mitigate potential effects on communication, navigation, and power grids.
Researchers at Delft University of Technology developed a new approach to calculate the fast estimation of solar energy potential in urban environments. The method uses two parameters derived from the skyline profile, which simplifies calculations and enables quick assessments of large urban areas.
Researchers at ASRC developed self-assembling nanomaterials that produce singlet fission reactions to create more usable charges, increasing theoretical solar cell efficiency up to 44%. The new materials could shorten the time for creating commercially viable solar cells and prove more affordable than current fabrication methods.
A team of scientists developed a single, cohesive computer model to simulate the entire life cycle of a solar flare, from energy buildup to explosive release. The comprehensive model captures the formation of tangled magnetic field lines and roiling sunspots, which can impact Earth's power grids, communications networks, and astronauts.
A study by Tufts University researchers found that African-American and Hispanic-dominant neighborhoods have installed significantly fewer rooftop solar photovoltaics than white-dominant neighborhoods, even after controlling for household income and home ownership. This disparity affects the deployment of solar energy across the US.
The Stanford team's analysis found 1.47 million solar panel installations in the US, significantly higher than previous estimates, and identified factors leading to adoption, such as household income and geographic location. The machine learning program DeepSolar was able to correctly identify images with solar panels 93% of the time a...
A new tool, DeepSolar, scans high-resolution images of the US for solar panels, registering their locations and sizes. Researchers found 1.47 million individual installations nationwide, correlating them with factors like income, education, and incoming solar radiation.
Researchers from Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) and Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin (HZB) developed a novel approach to form selective contact layers in perovskite solar cells using self-assembling monolayers. This method achieves extremely low material consumption and high efficiency, outperforming traditional methods.
Researchers developed a new technique to visualize historic solar data, providing context for understanding the Sun's past and future. The study suggests that changes in solar activity may impact Earth's surface, with possible connections to climate change.
Scientists propose a new model, magnetic pumping, to explain the solar wind's heat persistence as it streams out of the sun and towards Earth. The research shows that particles in the solar wind are affected by magnetic pumping, including high-energy particles.
A Purdue University-led team developed a new material that enables more efficient solar-powered electricity generation by reducing the cost of converting sunlight into heat energy. The innovation could make solar power a direct competitor to fossil fuels in generating electricity.
Scientists at OIST have developed a method to fabricate low-cost high-efficiency perovskite solar cells, boasting an efficiency comparable to crystalline silicon cells. The technique uses a gas-solid reaction-based method to produce uniform panels with improved stability and production costs.
The National Solar Observatory (NSO) has received a supplemental grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to enhance its scientific output and foster collaboration in the field of solar physics. The new funding will support the development of advanced data products, engage graduate students, and nurture international expertise.
Scientists have developed a solar flow battery that can store sunlight as chemical energy for later use. The device can be used to provide electricity in remote regions, making it an attractive solution for off-grid electrification.
Researchers created an algorithm using physics of panel degradation to analyze solar farm data, providing a portable EKG for solar farms. The approach can inform better panel designs, prolong lifespan, and cut electrical bills, ultimately transforming the industry's diagnosis and decision-making processes.
Researchers find way to reduce production costs of solar cells by more than 10 percent through nano-texturing silicon and atomic layer deposition. The cost per unit power drops, making solar energy comparable to conventional electricity.
Researchers at UCLA Samueli School of Engineering created a highly efficient thin-film solar cell that generates more energy from sunlight than typical solar panels. The device converts 22.4 percent of incoming energy, surpassing the previous record set in 2015.
A research team at UNIST introduced a novel method to solve issues associated with the thickness of photoactive layers in OSCs, achieving an efficiency of 12.01% using a non-fullerene acceptor.
Research reveals that air pollution can reduce solar panel output by up to 17% in some cities, leading to significant financial losses. The study found that urban areas like Delhi and Beijing could lose tens of millions of dollars annually due to haze-related reductions in solar power.
Scientists have discovered a repeatable pattern in how space weather activity changes with the solar cycle, enabling better understanding and planning for space weather. The breakthrough allows for more accurate forecasting of potential threats to Earth from solar flares and extreme space weather.
Parker Solar Probe will make its journey to the Sun's atmosphere, closer than any spacecraft in history, with a highly elliptical orbit and speeds of up to 430,000 miles per hour. The spacecraft will observe the acceleration of the solar wind and study extreme events on the Sun, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
New solar energy research from Arizona State University demonstrates that silicon-based tandem photovoltaic modules can become increasingly attractive in the US market, with potential to reduce costs and increase efficiency. The study found that 32% efficient anticipated tandem modules can cost more than three times that of projected 2...
The Parker Solar Probe will directly sample solar particles and magnetic fields to resolve the origin and acceleration of the solar wind. It aims to understand how the solar wind is accelerated to speeds of up to 1.8 million miles per hour.