Articles tagged with Solar Energy
A new prototype using solar energy can double the amount of drinking water produced at given solar energy levels. The technology uses 'passive' processes without mechanical or electrical components, making it inexpensive and simple to install.
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.
Scientists create tantalum nitride photo anode that can absorb visible light and control crystal layer growth, improving efficiency of photoelectrochemical water splitting. This breakthrough could lead to global environment and energy storage solutions using hydrogen-powered electronics and travel.
Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design have engineered a new inexpensive nanomaterial with exceptional performance in visible and infrared light interaction. The material can be used to improve solar cells and optically detect minute traces of biomolecules, offering potential industrial relevance.
Researchers developed porous composites based on SiC/AIN with up to 40% aluminum nitride, exceeding traditional materials due to solid solution formation at grain boundaries. These composites improve thermal conductivity, heat resistance, and low coefficient of thermal expansion.
Researchers have created an iron molecule that can function as a photocatalyst to produce fuel and in solar cells to produce electricity. The iron molecule has properties largely as good as those of the best noble metals, making it a potential cheaper alternative for solar energy production.
Researchers developed a hybrid photoelectrochemical and voltaic (HPEV) cell that turns sunlight into both hydrogen fuel and electricity, overcoming the limitations of current materials. The device achieves a combined efficiency of 20.2%, three times better than conventional solar hydrogen cells.
A research team at Chalmers University of Technology has developed an emissions-free energy system that can store solar energy in a liquid form for up to 18 years. The system uses a specially designed molecule that captures energy from sunlight and releases it when needed, warming the liquid by 63 degrees Celsius.
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 St John's College, University of Cambridge, successfully split water into hydrogen and oxygen using semi-artificial photosynthesis, producing more solar energy than natural photosynthesis. This innovation could revolutionize renewable energy production with a green and unlimited source of energy.
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.
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.
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 UK will build multidisciplinary collaborations between universities and industry through three £5m energy research hubs focused on Offshore Renewable Energy, Bioenergy, and Energy Networks. A new solar network will facilitate knowledge exchange and bring together researchers from 19 universities and 70 partners.
A new study from Indiana University finds that states requiring utilities to increase renewable energy see expansion of renewable facilities and generation, particularly solar. The research highlights the importance of policy design features such as stringency and planning processes in driving renewable energy development.
Researchers at Linköping University have formulated design rules to minimize energy losses in organic solar cells, achieving low energy losses and high power conversion efficiencies. The new theory challenges previous beliefs and agrees with experimental results.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed a cheap and sustainable way to build solar cells using bacteria that convert light to energy. The cell generated a current stronger than any previously recorded and worked efficiently in dim light, offering a promising solution for regions with frequent overcast skies.
Assistant professor Ming Lee Tang at UC Riverside has received a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop hybrid organic-inorganic nanocrystal-based materials for biomedical imaging and solar energy applications.
The Active Office and Classroom demonstrate a 'buildings as power stations' concept, generating more energy than they consume. This innovative design could slash fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions in UK offices.
Liu's research aims to develop a fundamental understanding of corrosion mechanisms in molten salts, guiding the selection of salts and containment materials for CSP systems. Her work will focus on developing innovative approaches to study molten salt properties and corrosion kinetics using state-of-the-art technologies.
Scientists from FAU are investigating a novel approach to storing solar energy in a single molecule, enabling the creation of an 'energy-storing solar cell'. The research focuses on the use of norbornadiene-quadricyclane storage system and intramolecular reactions to store and release electrical energy efficiently.
Research suggests that minimum insolation hours requirements for nearly zero energy buildings are unjustified, as they increase the risk of overheating. Dynamic solar shading proved to be more efficient than static shadings in reducing heat losses.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are working on a project to refine a specific type of utility-scale solar energy technology that can supply renewable energy without batteries for storage. The goal is to reach temperatures greater than 700 C, which would boost efficiency and lower electricity costs.
The FLASC prototype is a world-first offshore renewable energy TLP with integrated energy storage. It stores energy generated by wind turbines, solar PV, and other sources using pressurised seawater and compressed air.
Researchers have developed a method for using sunlight to generate clean water with near-perfect efficiency. The technology uses carbon-dipped paper to absorb and vaporize water, drawing heat from the surrounding environment to achieve high efficiency rates.
A team of researchers at MIT analyzed four different solar cell technologies and found that the most efficient but expensive panels were the best option for residential systems in dry locations. However, for utility-scale installations or in wetter climates, less efficient but cheaper panels are more economical.
A new dynamic model proposes a seasonal control strategy with ceria particles to buffer the effect of solar radiation variation, enabling continuous hydrogen production. The system can store and release heat as needed, maximizing solar energy utilization and potentially increasing efficiency.
Researchers discovered that proteins use vibrations to direct energy across pigments in plants, allowing for efficient energy transfer. This discovery could help design better solar materials and is a classical mechanism rather than quantum effects.
Researchers from the US and China developed a dispersed iridium catalyst with two active metal centers for artificial photosynthesis. The catalyst demonstrates high stability and activity in water oxidation, a crucial process in natural and artificial photosynthesis.
Converting tobacco fields to solar farms can provide a lucrative alternative for farmers, potentially generating 30 gigawatts of clean energy in North Carolina. Solar panels can withstand extreme weather conditions and offer significant profits compared to traditional farming.
Researchers at Osaka University redesigned a polymer to improve its hole conductivity, enhancing solar power conversion performance. This design enables mass production through simple printing methods, potentially lowering costs and increasing adoption of plastic solar cells.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a thermochromic material that works as both transparent and non-transparent, producing electricity when darkened. The material's reversible phase transition enables it to switch between these states without degrading its electronic properties.
Researchers have discovered a way to minimize waste in solar energy capture by designing materials that can harness previously wasted light. This breakthrough could push solar cell efficiency beyond 30%, addressing limitations of silicon-based solar cells.
Particle receiver CSP technology can nearly double molten salt temperatures, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Researchers have tested a red sand approach that achieves high temperatures while minimizing energy loss.
A study by UC researchers identified over 8,400 square kilometers of non-agricultural land in the Central Valley suitable for large solar installations. This land can generate enough solar energy to exceed California's projected demands by 13 times for photovoltaic power and two times for concentrating solar power.
Solar energy can expand without encroaching on farmland and conservation areas, researchers say. Alternative surfaces totaling over 1.5 million football fields in size can accommodate solar installations, generating more than 19,000 terawatt-hours of energy per year.
Researchers have developed an open-source tool predicting solar cell energy output based on location and technology, highlighting the importance of environmental factors. The study found that certain materials can produce up to 5% more energy in hot, humid locations like Singapore.
A team of NUS scientists has developed a prototype device that mimics natural photosynthesis to produce ethylene gas. The device uses only sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, reducing the carbon footprint of ethylene production.
Researchers have demonstrated the full process of making kerosene, the jet fuel used by commercial airlines, using a high-temperature thermal solar reactor to create syngas. The feedstock is essentially unlimited, providing a potentially game-changing alternative to fossil fuels.
Researchers have developed a synthetic system for energy gathering, conversion, and transport inspired by natural photosynthesis. The system uses DNA nanotechnology to spatially control and organize chromophores, mimicking the arrangement of densely packed chromophores in plants and photosynthetic bacteria.
A $400,000 grant from the US Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Sciences will support Dr. Gary Hastings' research on efficient solar energy conversion in photosynthesis. The goal is to design more efficient artificial solar cells by understanding how plants capture solar energy.
Thorsten Denk's device can make enough oxygen and water for 6 to 8 astronauts using a thermal solar reactor, powered by concentrated solar radiation. The process involves chemical splitting of water from lunar soil, followed by electrolysis to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
Transparent solar cells can provide similar electricity-generation potential as rooftop solar while enhancing building efficiency, and may supply up to 40% of US energy demand
Severe air pollution in northern and eastern China blocks about 20% of sunlight from reaching solar panels, significantly reducing solar energy production. The study found that aerosol pollution reduces the potential for solar electricity generation by as much as one and a half kilowatt-hour per square meter per day.
Researchers have designed a solar peaker plant that can store energy thermally to deliver power after dark, making it a viable alternative to fossil fuels for peaking. The plants, which use molten salt tower technology, can operate for up to 6 hours and have a capacity factor of 15-25%.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are developing new materials for solar cells and photocatalysts to boost efficiency and reduce costs. They aim to create practical ways to store solar energy, addressing intermittency and waste issues in the current system.
Researchers have developed a new hybrid nanomaterial that can efficiently extract hydrogen fuel from seawater using solar energy. This breakthrough could lead to a new source of clean-burning fuel, reducing demand for fossil fuels and boosting the economy of Florida.
Researchers at NREL and EPFL achieved record efficiencies of 32.8% and 35.9% for dual-junction and triple-junction solar cells, respectively. The high-efficiency cells could reduce the cost of solar energy by up to 45 cents per watt.
Researchers at Georgia State University discovered that a process called inverted-region electron transfer contributes to the high efficiency of solar energy conversion in photosynthesis. This mechanism can be used to design new and better types of artificial solar cells.
Researchers have successfully grown single crystalline films of perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 on electron-collecting substrates, exhibiting excellent photovoltaic properties. The resulting devices achieve high efficiency rates, closing the gap with traditional silicon-based solar cells and offering a promising solution for renewable energy.
A Swansea-led consortium has secured £7 million in UK government funding to develop solar power stations in five Indian villages. The project aims to create energy-positive buildings that can generate, store and release their own power.
Researchers from KIT have developed sunglasses with colored, semitransparent solar cells that supply a microprocessor and two displays with electric power. The solar cell lenses are thin and lightweight, generating enough power to operate devices like hearing aids or step counters in indoor environments.
A team of researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology is exploring the use of nanowires and new materials to improve solar cell technology. By maximizing the amount of solar spectrum that can be absorbed, they aim to increase the efficiency of solar power conversion and make it more cost-effective for consumer markets.
Researchers have created a highly efficient solar cell that captures nearly all the energy in the solar spectrum, converting direct sunlight to electricity with 44.5% efficiency. The new design uses concentrator photovoltaic panels and stacked cells to capture energy from specific wavelengths of light.
A new study estimates that air pollution and dust are cutting global solar energy production by more than 25% in certain parts of the world, with China, India, and the Arabian Peninsula being the hardest hit. The regions experiencing heavy losses are also those investing the most in solar energy installations.
Researchers at Aalto University found that solar energy can produce over 80% of domestic heating requirements in Finnish households. The study used various storage methods and found that prices need to be competitive for it to become a viable alternative. This could significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Europe.
A new technology developed by Dr. Mahmoud Dhimish could enable clusters of houses to share their solar energy, reducing the need to export surplus electricity to the grid. The system uses 'demand diversity' among adjacent dwellings and energy storage to optimize energy usage.
A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve University used data science to predict the deterioration of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films in solar panels. The study, published in PLOS ONE, combines engineering epidemiology and statistical-data analytics to develop predictive models for environmentally exposed applications.