Articles tagged with Solar Energy
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
The research team improved cell voltage by shifting away from a standard processing step using cadmium chloride. This approach enabled the fabrication of CdTe solar cells with an open-circuit voltage breaking the 1-volt barrier for the first time.
Researchers have developed host-guest nanowires that enhance photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting efficiency. The new system uses a TiO2 'host' with BiVO4 'guest' nanoparticles, achieving better performance than individual materials alone.
The new model simulates light-harvesting across a thylakoid membrane, enabling the explanation of PSII's high quantum efficiency. The research paves the way for improving food crop yields and developing artificial photosynthesis technologies for solar energy systems.
Scientists create photo-bioelectrochemical cells that harness natural photosynthesis to generate electrical power from sunlight. The system uses glucose as a fuel and provides a new method for photonically driving biocatalytic fuel cells.
Researchers have observed molecular processes in real-time using X-rays, gaining insights into the printing process. This understanding can help control the arrangement of materials, improving the efficiency of organic solar cells.
A new device mimics leaf processes to harness solar energy and purify water, offering a clean alternative to conventional methods for addressing global water shortages. The tri-layer membrane uses TiO2 nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, and anodized aluminum oxide to degrade pollutants in simulated sunlight.
Researchers at RIKEN and Kyoto University have developed a new polymer that minimizes photon energy loss in solar cells, leading to higher efficiency and robust conversion of solar energy into electricity. The achievement marks a significant step towards commercializing cheaper and more efficient polymer-based solar cells.
Researchers at Florida State University have introduced a new strategy for generating more efficient solar cells, increasing maximum efficiency from 33% to over 45% through photon upconversion and self-assembly process.
Scientists at NREL have discovered a way to increase the efficiency of perovskite solar cells by reducing energy lost to heat. By utilizing hot-carrier solar cells, the potential efficiency limit increases from 33% to 66%. Perovskites are a class of materials with various technological applications.
A team of appraisers found that home buyers pay a premium for solar homes in six US states, with the average premium being $15,000. The study confirmed earlier research by Berkeley Lab and recommends considering individual market characteristics when valuing solar systems.
Engineers at Oregon State University have developed a new approach for storing concentrated solar thermal energy, enabling more efficient and cost-effective use of this technology. The innovation uses thermochemical storage to hold heat, drive turbines, and reheat for continuous cycles.
A new study found that most utility-scale solar energy facilities in California are located in natural habitats, leading to environmental conflicts. The researchers identified areas for more sustainable siting, including built-up lands and those already affected by human activities.
A new study led by UC Riverside researchers found that utility-scale solar energy development can drive land-use and land-cover change, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions. The study emphasizes the need for optimized solar energy development to minimize environmental impacts.
Researchers at Lund University have successfully produced an iron-based dye that can convert light into electrons with nearly 100% efficiency, making it a promising alternative to rare metal-based dyes. The discovery could lead to the development of more efficient and affordable solar cells, as well as advancements in solar fuels.
Berkeley Lab's report reveals a 70% decline in PPA prices since 2009, making solar increasingly cost-competitive for utilities. Installed project costs have fallen by over 50%, with median up-front costs dropping from $6.3/W to $3.1/W.
The team uses multiwall carbon nanotubes and tiny rectifiers to create an antenna that captures light from the sun or other sources, producing a small direct current. The efficiency of the devices is below one percent, but the researchers hope to boost it through optimization techniques.
Researchers aim to develop a non-destructive method to measure water content in solar PV cells using spectral imaging. The goal is to remove uncertainty on the modules' long-term reliability, crucial for making solar energy competitive with fossil fuels.
A team of scientists from Berkeley Lab and the University of Illinois created a solar cell that absorbs high-energy light at a 30-fold higher concentration than conventional cells. This breakthrough uses quantum dot light-emitters with spectrally matched photonic mirrors to efficiently utilize the high-energy part of the solar spectrum.
Penn State researchers are developing new, ultra-high efficiency photovoltaic cells using a novel tracking system to concentrate sunlight 400 times over. The goal is to create standard rooftop solar panels with competitive manufacturing costs and double the efficiency of existing solar panels in sunny regions.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a new technique to make solar energy cheaper and more efficient by mimicking the v-shaped posture of Cabbage White butterflies. The study shows that by replicating this 'wing-like' structure, power-to-weight ratio can be increased 17-fold.
A team of chemists at UC Riverside has found a way to use the infrared region of the sun's spectrum to generate more power in solar cells. By combining inorganic semiconductor nanocrystals with organic molecules, they have created a hybrid material that can 'upconvert' photons, effectively reshaping the solar spectrum to boost efficien...
A new study by Northwestern University and the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory found that perovskite solar modules have a significantly shorter energy payback time than existing options, with some models returning energy investment in just two to three months. The researchers also analyzed the environmental impa...
The UT Arlington team has developed an all-vanadium photo-electrochemical flow cell that enables large-scale solar energy storage even at night. This innovation overcomes a major limitation of current solar technology, allowing for uninterrupted energy storage around the clock.
EPFL scientists have developed a simple and inexpensive method to fabricate high-quality, efficient solar panels for direct solar hydrogen production. The innovative technique uses the boundary between two non-mixing liquids to produce an even dispersion of 2-D flakes, resulting in superior efficiency compared to other methods.
Researchers at UCLA have created a novel system that can store solar energy for several weeks, unlike current systems which only hold energy for a few microseconds. The breakthrough design is inspired by photosynthesis and uses polymer donors and nano-scale fullerene acceptors to separate charges.
Researchers have solved the high-resolution crystal structure of a plant protein supercomplex critical to photosynthesis, revealing key pigment arrangements and organization. The findings provide a structural basis for understanding the photosynthetic mechanisms involved in harvesting light from the sun.
Chemistry student Anders Bo Skov has made a breakthrough in developing molecules capable of harnessing and storing substantial amounts of solar energy. His achievement doubles the energy density in a molecule that can hold its shape for a hundred years, offering potential for sustainable solar power.
A NREL report finds that shared solar programs can expand access to renewable energy, reaching 32-49% of the US distributed photovoltaic market in 2020. The program's structure and regulation impact its potential for deployment.
The International PV Quality Assurance Task Force (PVQAT) aims to develop standards for PV module reliability, addressing climate zones and mounting configurations. Data from 50,000 solar systems shows a low failure rate of just 0.1% per year.
Researchers at Michigan State University discovered a new switch that regulates plant photosynthesis, allowing for improved efficiency and resilience to environmental stresses. This discovery may aid in developing plants with enhanced productivity and stability, addressing the increasing demand for food and fuel as climate changes.
A team of researchers from the University of Waterloo has developed a novel design for electromagnetic energy harvesting based on the full absorption concept, which enables the collection of essentially all electromagnetic energy that falls onto a surface. This technology has vast applications in space solar power and wireless power tr...
A Griffith University research project has developed an intelligent scheduling system to manage peak demand and load balancing in low-voltage electricity distribution networks. The system uses battery energy storage to store surplus energy during the day and distribute it when needed, reducing peak generation charges and improving powe...
Using quantum chemistry and X-ray spectroscopy, researchers have gained insights into the bonding behavior of iron pentacarbonyl. The study could lead to the development of novel catalysts for chemical storage of solar energy by understanding how photons interact with molecules on ultrafast timescales.
A new study suggests that integrating solar facilities into urban and suburban environments can generate up to 15,000 terawatt-hours of energy per year. The research found that California has millions of acres of land compatible for photovoltaic and concentrating solar power construction with minimal environmental impact.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison developed a novel approach to combine biomass conversion and solar energy conversion, enabling more efficient hydrogen production and creating a valuable byproduct. This breakthrough could significantly increase the efficiency and utility of solar-fuel-producing photoelectrochemical cells.
A recent NREL report examines the PV interconnection process in the US, revealing that delays can range from several days to months. The study found that streamlining application review and final authorization processes can benefit utilities and solar consumers by reducing time and cost associated with going solar.
Two NREL reports analyze the economic options for financing commercial and residential solar energy systems. Analyzing banking opportunities in the US distributed photovoltaic market and examining commercial retailers' decisions on PV-financing strategies, the reports found that businesses can save up to 30% by using low-cost financing...
Testing at NREL aids solar power in Hawaii by quantifying transient LRO conditions, allowing HECO to increase its penetration limits for rooftop solar from 120% to 250% of minimum daytime load.
Researchers at Lund University successfully tracked supersonic electrons through a light-converting molecule, finding that the conversion of light to chemical energy happens rapidly without energy loss as heat. The study provides insights into constructing molecules for artificial photosynthesis, paving the way for solar fuel production.
Researchers at NCEPU propose a novel solar CPV/CSP hybrid system that combines electricity generation with heat utilization. The system improves overall solar-to-electricity efficiency by increasing the useful peripheral low-concentration radiation, resulting in high-efficiency solar power generation.
Scientists from Harvard University have developed a system that harnesses solar energy and converts it into a liquid fuel using bacteria. The 'bionic leaf' uses an artificial catalyst to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, which is then converted by a bacterium into the liquid fuel isopropanol.
Farms in Indiana have a high chance of saving money by using solar energy, thanks to the ability to depreciate their investment. In contrast, homeowners face uncertainty and lower chances of saving. The analysis suggests that putting solar on a level playing field with coal power would give homes more incentive to adopt solar.
The reports analyze consumer and commercial loan products available for financing solar in the US, showing that solar loans can be more affordable than third-party financing. Businesses can benefit from owning a PV system by saving on energy bills, but also assume risks associated with ownership.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have identified a new material, perovskite, that can efficiently generate photovoltaic energy in various atmospheric conditions. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly reduce the costs of solar energy production.
Researchers at HKUST developed a novel nanobowl optical concentrator to enhance light trapping in organic photovoltaic devices. The device achieved a 28% improvement in power conversion efficiency, outperforming control devices without the nanobowl structure.
A combination of foundational policies and localized strategies can increase solar photovoltaic installations in any state. States with matching policy suites to their unique context have excelled, while economic factors must also be favorable for third-party ownership models.
Researchers at NREL and SolarCity collaborate with Hawaiian Electric Companies to study distributed solar energy systems, using advanced modeling and inverter testing. The project aims to address operational issues and enable safe, reliable, and cost-effective grid integration of solar power.
Antonio Luque will receive the Karl W. Börner Solar Energy Medal of Merit at a ceremony on March 13, 2015. Luque is being recognized for his work in developing high-efficiency solar cells and stimulating the adoption of renewable energy in Spain.
Sandia National Laboratories has received a $1.2 million award to develop a technique combining metal-organic framework (MOF) materials with dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) to improve photovoltaic efficiency. MOFs' structure, versatility, and porosity help overcome DSSC limitations.
A UNL researcher has received a $1.2 million grant to improve the efficiency of solar cells using perovskite technology, aiming for at least 30% efficiency. The project seeks to refine silicon-based cells by overlaying them with perovskite, taking advantage of the material's natural abundance and properties.
The study shows solar energy prices dropping by 12-19% nationwide in 2013, with a projected further decline of 3-12% in 2014. This trend is expected to continue over the next couple of years, helping the nation meet its 2020 targets.
Researchers at Ohio State University have created a solar cell that can store its own power, reducing the cost of renewable energy. The 'solar battery' combines a mesh solar panel with a battery, allowing for efficient charging and discharging using light and oxygen.
Scientists at EPFL have created a method to convert sunlight into hydrogen using perovskite solar cells and nickel-iron catalysts, achieving an impressive 12.3% efficiency rate. This innovative approach eliminates the need for rare-earth metals in producing usable hydrogen fuel, paving the way for efficient energy storage and conversion.
The new epitaxial system produces up to 500 wafers per hour, reducing wafer cost to 13 cents per watt and potentially making solar energy more competitive with fossil fuels. The technology has the potential to create American jobs and stem the flow of solar cell manufacturing overseas.
Scientists from DTU have created a new technique to produce cheap, flexible and versatile double solar cells using roll-to-roll processing. The method uses 3D ptychography to image the layer structure of the tandem solar cell, which converts 2.67% of incoming sunlight into electric energy.
Scientists at DTU Physics successfully captured protein quakes that dissipate solar energy throughout entire protein molecules, validating a long-standing hypothesis. This breakthrough has implications for harnessing solar energy in solar cells and other light-absorption systems.
Researchers at Michigan State University developed a transparent luminescent solar concentrator that can be used on buildings, cell phones, and other devices. This technology absorbs specific nonvisible wavelengths of sunlight and converts it to electricity.
Researchers developed an ab initio method to study hot carriers in semiconductors, providing data for hot carrier dynamics in silicon and other materials. The method found that thermalization under solar illumination is completed within 350 femtoseconds, dominated by phonon emission from hot carriers.
Biophysics researchers at the University of Michigan have identified specific molecular vibrations that help enable charge separation in photosynthesis, a process that converts sunlight into chemical energy. The findings could lead to more efficient solar cells and energy storage systems.
A new study suggests that concentrating solar power (CSP) can provide a substantial amount of current energy demand, particularly in the Mediterranean region. CSP systems can store energy as heat and convert it to electricity only when needed, making them more viable for large-scale energy production. The study also found that CSP coul...