Articles tagged with Solar Energy
Researchers have developed an AI-powered tool, Roofpedia, to track sustainable roof adoption worldwide. The tool uses satellite images to gauge cities' green and solar roof penetration, with Singapore ranked third in solar roof coverage.
Scientists at Empa have pushed flexible solar cell efficiency to a new limit, achieving 21.4% conversion rate. The study's findings also show that the technology remains stable after exposure to combined heat and illumination.
A study from KAUST found that interface and bandgap engineering can significantly slow down the relaxation of 'hot' electrons in semiconductors, increasing their lifetimes. This innovation has potential applications in solar cells, which could improve efficiency by reducing heat loss.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a synthetic diiron-containing porphyrin that can efficiently catalyze the conversion of radiant energy from the sun into chemical energy. This breakthrough has potential applications in creating non-fossil-based fuels and electrochemical cells for renewable energy storage.
A study published by Sandia National Laboratories reveals that older solar farms are more susceptible to extreme weather events, while snowstorms have the highest impact on electricity production. Machine learning analysis also found that low sunlight levels due to cloud cover and geographical features of the farm are significant factors.
Researchers have developed a new structure and materials for tandem solar cells, enabling more light to be captured and energy converted effectively. The n-i-p configuration achieved a significant improvement in power-conversion efficiency, exceeding 27%, surpassing previous best values.
A team of researchers has developed a method to produce nylon 6-6 without using the environmentally endangered element zinc. They achieved this by using alternative metals such as iron and cobalt, and harnessing the power of solar energy. The new process reduces energy consumption, saves water, and minimizes hazardous chemicals.
A team of HKUST researchers has developed a low-cost, lightweight, and non-toxic battery that can harness solar energy and store it in a single device. The battery uses a lead-free perovskite material that absorbs light to generate charges, offering a promising solution for sustainable energy storage.
KAUST researchers have developed a multifunctional molecule, phenformin hydrochloride, to plug various atomic-scale defects in perovskite solar materials. This innovation significantly improves the longevity and electrical output of perovskite solar cells, with boosted power conversion efficiencies reaching up to 20.5%.
Researchers pair metal halide perovskites with conventional silicon to create a more powerful solar cell, overcoming the 26% practical efficiency limit. The technology has the potential to rapidly scale up solar energy production and help meet ambitious climate change targets.
Researchers highlight the potential of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) in solar-to-fuel production, converting sunlight into hydrogen and other fuels. COF-based photocatalysts have shown promising properties, including improved catalysis and electron delocalization, making them a viable solution for future energy needs.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered a new way for energy to move in organic materials, allowing for faster conversion of sunlight into electrical power. This fundamental mechanism, called transient exciton delocalization, enables efficient energy transport in organic semiconductors.
A new Science article assesses the technological progress of colloidal quantum dots, which have become industrial-grade materials for a range of technologies. Advances include first demonstration of colloidal quantum dot lasing, discovery of carrier multiplication and pioneering research into LEDs and luminescent solar concentrators.
A new technology developed at KAUST uses waste heat from solar cells to desalinate seawater, improving efficiency by up to 8% while reducing solar cell temperature. The device features a gravity-driven system and a special fabric that wicks away solid salts and minerals.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about the Sun's magnetic field, revealing that field lines become knotted before emerging at the visible surface. The findings provide conclusive evidence for one of two dominant theories explaining how solar activity occurs.
University of Arizona engineers harness the power of perovskites to create ultra-thin and flexible solar cells with high efficiency rates. The new process, called RAPID, aims to reduce grain boundaries by 90% and improve stability, leading to significant impacts on perovskite production.
Researchers at Nagoya Institute of Technology have developed a highly durable and efficient water splitting cell using titanium oxide and p-type cubic SiC photocatalysts in a tandem structure. The study achieved a maximum solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 0.74% and demonstrated durability of over 100 days.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that Southeast Asia can decouple electricity supply and environmental protection by embracing renewable technologies like solar energy. The research reveals that only 82% of planned dams are necessary, and halting construction would have minimal impact on electricity costs.
The LIGHT-CAP project aims to develop new nanotechnology-enabled architectures for solar energy conversion and storage. Researchers will apply cutting-edge materials to build systems capable of absorbing sunlight, converting it into electric charges and storing the associated energy in a sustainable way.
Researchers found a correlation between intragrain planar defects and reduced solar cell performance in perovskite materials. Tuning the chemical composition of these films controlled the presence of defects, leading to improved solar cell efficiency.
KTU's rooftop solar plant project, selected from 2,500 entries worldwide, combines multiple energy sources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative aims to educate students on renewable energy and mitigate climate change.
Entomologists say pairing solar energy with pollinator habitat has great promise, but standards are key to making it successful. Research suggests surrounding vegetation can boost solar panel efficiency, but more analysis is needed.
Researchers developed a holographic light collector that captures unused solar energy and increases the amount of solar energy converted by solar panels over the course of a year. The collector directs specific colors of sunlight to solar cells within the panel, resulting in an estimated five percent increase in annual yield.
A new method using quantum mechanics increases energy transfer in organic solar cells, allowing for simpler structure and improved durability. This discovery has the potential to significantly increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of producing organic solar cells.
To reach its goal of 70% renewable energy generation by 2030, New York state will need to utilize lower-grade agricultural land and dual-use (agrivoltaics) options for solar energy development. This approach can help alleviate public concerns and mitigate negative economic activity in rural communities.
Researchers in China have created a highly efficient desalination device powered by solar energy that can remove salt from seawater, producing freshwater. The device uses a titanium-containing layer and special paper to absorb sunlight and condense water vapor.
Researchers developed an anti-icing material that removes condensed water through self-propelled droplet jumping, inspired by wheat leaves. The material remains ice-free in temperatures as low as -50 °C and under high humidity, making it suitable for various environmental conditions.
A Lancaster University-led team reviewed evidence on solar park land management practices to enhance pollinator biodiversity. They highlighted ten ways to protect and even enhance bee populations, including sowing wildflowers and connecting parks to nearby habitats.
Researchers at UniSA have developed a cost-effective method to derive freshwater from seawater or contaminated water through efficient solar evaporation, delivering up to 20 litres of fresh water per square metre per day. The system is built using simple, everyday materials and requires minimal maintenance.
Researchers have developed a highly-efficient water decomposition reaction using BaTaO2N photocatalyst, achieving nearly 100 times the efficiency of conventional methods. The new method involves sequential cocatalyst decoration on the surface of BaTaO2N particles, resulting in high dispersion and improved hydrogen production.
A team of researchers from Aarhus University and international experts found that solar photovoltaic technology has been drastically underestimated in the IPCC's climate-neutral energy production scenarios. The study suggests a more significant role for solar cells in achieving a fossil-free future.
ITQB NOVA researchers have developed a new approach to produce hydrogen from light using non-photosynthetic microorganisms. The biohybrid systems combine high hydrogen-producing bacteria with self-produced cadmium sulfide nanoparticles, which capture light and enable direct energy transfer.
By introducing covalently linked fluorophores into a bacterial photosynthetic enzyme, researchers broadened the enzyme's band of harvestable light wavelengths. This improvement boosts energy conversion efficiency and paves the way for developing an efficient artificial photosynthesis system for solar energy conversion.
Researchers found that without battery storage, homeowners only use 30-40% of their solar PV electricity, while the rest is exported to the grid. With a home battery, self-consumption doubles and grid reliance reduces by up to 84%. Innovative energy policies can make PV-batteries profitable, even in low-solar irradiation countries.
Halide perovskites' twisting motion creates desirable renewable energy properties, helping materials scientists tailor chemical recipes for environmentally friendly applications. The study's findings apply to a wide range of halide perovskites, including hybrid organic-inorganic and lead-free variants.
Scientists at Linköping University discover where unexplained energy losses occur during singlet fission, a phenomenon that can increase solar cell efficiency. The breakthrough could lead to higher efficiency rates, from 33% to over 40%, making solar cells more sustainable.
The American Chemical Society highlights the achievements of Black scientists in chemistry and chemical engineering, including drug discovery, biomedical engineering, and sustainable energy. The special issue showcases their work and calls for greater recognition and inclusion in the science enterprise.
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 at the University at Buffalo have developed a novel radiative cooling system that can efficiently cool buildings using solar power. The system, comprising two mirrors, absorbs sunlight and reflects heat into the sky, achieving record-breaking temperature reductions in both laboratory and outdoor tests.
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.
A research team has proposed new testing standards for particulate photocatalysts in solar fuel production, aiming to improve the efficiency and reliability of this technology. The standards will provide a reliable guide for large-scale implementation and further promote research advances in the field.
Researchers at the University of York have discovered a solar absorber material called antimony selenide that can self-heal broken bonds. This ability eliminates problematic electronic states and has important implications for applications in optoelectronics and photochemistry.
A team of Binghamton University researchers will explore advanced grid-forming PV inverter control technologies to integrate renewable energy sources into the US electric grid, aiming for increased reliability and scalability. The three-year project will focus on developing a new grid-forming control algorithm at a hybrid PV plant.
Organic solar cells have improved efficiency by up to 18.3% with the use of diquat, a molecular dopant created through electrochemical reduction. This breakthrough increases optical absorption and charge lifetime, paving the way for more efficient energy conversion.
Researchers at UVA, Caltech, and Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new catalyst using cobalt and titanium that can efficiently split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen. This breakthrough has the potential to make solar energy practical on a large scale.
Researchers in Japan and China develop a novel system for treating saline water using direct solar steam generation, achieving higher evaporation rates and conversion efficiencies than existing methods. The 'energy matching' strategy balances input and required energy to optimize performance.
Direct solar steam generation (DSSG) has promise as an alternative to traditional water treatment methods, but advancements are needed to overcome limitations. New technologies have improved evaporation rates and reduced heat loss, offering a potential solution to global drinking water scarcity.
Researchers from Aarhus University modelled decarbonisation of the European energy system using high-resolution data. Solar energy emerges as a cost-optimised cornerstone for a fully decarbonised energy system by 2050.
Researchers at Lancaster University have discovered a crystalline material that can capture and store solar energy for several months at room temperature. The energy is released on demand as heat, providing a promising solution for renewable heating systems and environmentally-friendly applications.
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.
Researchers from Imperial College London and their colleagues have discovered new green materials that can convert indoor light into energy, potentially powering smart devices without toxic chemicals. The materials, inspired by perovskites, show promise for commercial applications and could enable battery-free wearables and IoT devices.
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 water-energy nanogrid is a standalone system that uses solar energy to decontaminate water and generate electricity. Researchers found that the nanofiltration system can successfully desalinate and remove chemicals from local groundwater, making it suitable for remote regions.
A new model predicts the photovoltaic industry can meet Paris Agreement targets with 70-80 terawatts of cumulative capacity from solar cells by 2055. The industry needs to increase production rate by a factor of 30 within 10 years, driven by productivity improvements and material sustainability.
Researchers have developed a new polymer that can be applied to textile fibers, turning them into flexible solar collectors. These solar concentrators can capture a wider spectrum of light and offer an immense benefit for portable devices.
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.
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.
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.