Articles tagged with Solar Energy
NCAR will develop a three-year project to provide detailed forecasts of wind and solar irradiance at Kuwait's 2-gigawatt Shagaya renewable energy plant. This technology will help Kuwait reach its goal of generating 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.
Researchers developed a laser phosphor display that can absorb ambient light, generating power while displaying high-resolution images. The system achieves up to 71% energy harvesting, but face challenges with ghost images and design optimization.
Researchers have developed a quantum dot photoelectrochemical cell that achieves quantum efficiency for hydrogen gas production exceeding 100%, enabling more efficient solar energy conversion. This breakthrough has significant implications for the future of producing 'green' fuel.
Global Alliance of Solar Energy Research Institutes predicts 5-10 terawatts of PV capacity by 2030 through continued tech improvements and cost decreases. Flexible grids, increased demand, and energy storage advancements also needed to overcome challenges.
Researchers created a model to measure the impact of policy on commercial solar photovoltaic adoption in California, providing new insight into energy policy. The study found that government incentives have a greater impact on larger commercial customers and smaller businesses face unique hurdles when adopting solar PV systems.
A new class of monolithically integrated, portable PV-battery systems has been developed using high-efficiency silicon solar cells and printed solid-state lithium-ion batteries. The device can power electric devices under sunlight or in the absence of light, offering exceptional photo-electrochemical performance and design compactness.
Researchers at Kobe University developed a new solar cell structure that can absorb spectral components of longer wavelengths, increasing energy conversion efficiency to over 50%. The design achieved up-conversion based on two photons, reducing energy loss by over 100 times compared to previous methods.
Research from Binghamton University found that adjusting solar panel angles four to five times a year can provide around 25 kW/m2 more power than seasonal adjustments. This practical solution can help reduce costs associated with automated tracking systems, making manual adjustment an economical option.
Scientists at NREL developed a new perovskite ink with a long processing window, allowing for the production of high-efficiency solar cells. The ink was tested using blade-coating and produced indistinguishable film morphology and device performance.
The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) has developed the world's first full-size IBC bifacial solar module, capable of producing up to 400 Watts of electric power. The module features a double-glass structure, low-temperature interconnections, and high-efficiency ZEBRA solar cells.
Researchers have developed a new class of semiconductor materials that can be used as light absorbers in solar cells, potentially using one hundred times less material than silicon. These materials have superior performance, reduced toxicity, and show promise for developing high-performance optoelectronic devices.
Researchers from NREL provide a detailed component and system-level cost breakdown for residential PV systems equipped with energy storage. The report reveals previously unknown soft costs and offers valuable information to stakeholders to guide cost reduction efforts.
Researchers from RMIT University have developed a groundbreaking graphene-based electrode prototype that can increase the capacity of existing integrable storage technologies by 3000%. This breakthrough design is inspired by the efficient vein structure of fern leaves, offering a solution to the storage challenge holding solar energy b...
The report recommends increasing US spending on solar R&D, encouraging international collaborations with China, and reforming federal policies to prioritize cost reduction. The researchers argue that the US should capitalize on its strengths in research and development while addressing concerns around intellectual property protection.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have made breakthrough discoveries on quantum dot materials using ultrafast electro-optical spectroscopy. The study reveals the cause of a significant voltage drop in quantum dots, allowing for potential improvements in device efficiency.
Scientists have developed a simple rule to predict when the Earth's climate warms out of an ice age, using astronomical changes in the Earth's orbit around the Sun. The model predicts interglacials occurring roughly every 100,000 years, which explains why we've been in a warm period for the last 11,000 years.
The development of efficient luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) using silicon nanoparticles has the potential to create photovoltaic windows that can capture over 5% of the sun's energy at unprecedented low costs. The technology, developed by researchers from the University of Minnesota and University of Milano-Bicocca, uses silico...
Sandia National Laboratories has received a $2.5 million award to develop open-source algorithms for managing power systems with increasing numbers of distributed energy resources, such as wind and solar. The project aims to optimize distributed energy resources and improve grid resilience.
Researchers found that storing solar energy for nighttime use increases household annual energy consumption by 8-14% and indirectly raises carbon dioxide emissions. This contradicts the myth that storage is needed to integrate distributed solar power.
A new study suggests that off-grid solar energy can have significant economic benefits for people living in remote areas, but requires a special business model to succeed. Successful business models include community interaction, partnerships, local capacity building and addressing barriers unique to the off-grid market.
Researchers have developed environmentally friendly organic solar cells using nanomaterials, increasing efficiency and reducing toxic substances. Additionally, hybrid capacitors with enhanced storage capacity and faster charging capabilities have been created using nano-diamond composites, paving the way for more efficient energy stores.
A team of researchers has developed a new type of quantum heat engine photocell that can regulate solar power conversion without active feedback or adaptive control mechanisms. This design is inspired by the natural regulation of energy flow in photosynthetic green plants, and could lead to more efficient and cost-effective solar cells.
CSIRO's patented low-cost heliostats will be used in China for concentrating solar thermal (CST) electricity generation, helping the country reach its ambitious clean energy targets. The technology has great potential for medium to large-scale solar power due to its low cost of storing thermal energy.
Researchers from Berkeley Lab developed a way to image thin-film solar cells in 3D using optical microscopy, revealing internal obstacles that can trap electrons and reduce efficiency. The method has already improved understanding of the benefits of treating CdTe solar cells with cadmium chloride.
Researchers at Clemson University created maps showing the suitability of lands in South Carolina for generating solar energy, with a focus on five-megawatt and one-megawatt developments. The study found that about 4.2% of state land area is suitable for five-megawatt developments, enough to install 69.6 gigawatts of capacity.
Scientists at the University of Virginia have made new inroads on understanding the fundamental physics behind hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs), a class of materials that are extremely lightweight and flexible. By discovering ways to stabilize their properties, researchers hope to expand the temperature stability range of H...
Researchers have discovered a potential approach to storing excess renewable energy by mixing food waste-derived sugar alcohols with carbon nanotubes. The study found that heat transfer within the mixture improved with higher density combinations and decreased with smaller nanotube diameters.
Researchers at EPFL and CSEM have developed a robust and effective system to store solar energy by converting it into hydrogen through water electrolysis. The new system, which combines existing components, achieves a high level of stability and cost efficiency, enabling the generation and storage of enough hydrogen to power a fuel cel...
The median installed price of solar in the US fell by 5-12% in 2015, with residential systems declining 5% and utility-scale projects falling 12%, according to two new studies from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The report attributes recent system price declines to reductions in hardware costs and 'solar soft' costs.
Researchers at NREL and Shanghai Jiao Tong University develop a method to treat perovskite films with MABr solution, repairing defects and improving efficiency. The new approach boosts the efficiency of perovskite solar cells to up to 19% and demonstrates improved reproducibility.
A team of scientists has discovered a class of materials that can surpass the Shockley-Queisser limit, allowing for more efficient solar cell conversion. By using a barium titanate crystal, they were able to extract power from a small portion of the sunlight spectrum with higher efficiency than previously thought possible.
Scientists at ORNL discover the optimal ratio of selenium in cadmium-tellurium solar cells, increasing efficiency from 22% to near-theoretical levels. The alloy composition of 50% cadmium, 25% tellurium and 25% selenium performed best.
The project aims to further accelerate progress toward the SunShot goals through research and development of novel solar collectors using reflective surfaces to concentrate sunlight. Giant Leap Technologies will develop capillary optics to replace expensive mechanical sun trackers with low-cost digital-glass for solar thermal and photo...
Researchers at OU are developing novel technologies for next-generation solar cells with potential to increase global energy capacity and reduce fossil fuel dependence. They aim to control thermal losses and harness more of the sun's energy using 'hot' carrier solar cells.
Researchers at Lund University have measured the flow of solar energy within and between different parts of a photosynthetic organism, revealing more efficient routes for transporting energy. This basic research could lead to the development of more efficient solar cell technologies.
A new study suggests that coal workers' transferable skills, such as mechanical and electrical expertise, can be applied to the growing solar energy sector. The research estimates that the solar industry can absorb layoffs from the coal industry over the next 15 years.
EPFL researchers have achieved the highest performance ever measured for larger-size perovskite solar cells, reaching over 20% efficiency. This breakthrough could lead to increased efficiency in hybrid solar panels that combine perovskites with silicon, potentially exceeding 30% efficiency.
A new system uses solar energy to split water molecules and hydrogen-eating bacteria, producing liquid fuels with improved efficiency. The 'bionic leaf' technology has the potential to be incredibly versatile, making any downstream carbon-based molecule.
A new study by Michigan Tech engineers and sociologists reveals that leaving the electrical grid is a viable option for the majority of seasonal households (92%) and single-family owner-occupied households (65%). Solar-hybrid systems, combining solar power with cogeneration and battery storage, can overcome cloudy winter days. The stud...
Researchers developed a single device that harnesses both solar and wind energy to generate electrical output. The hybrid system delivers up to 34 milliWatts of power, enough to turn on LEDs and power temperature-humidity sensors in smart cities.
A new study from the US Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimates that solar power could deliver $400 billion in environmental and public health benefits by 2050. The study finds that a high-penetration solar scenario would result in significant greenhouse-gas emissions reductions, air-pollution health and ...
A team has directly observed the cause for the missing efficiency in zinc oxide-based dye-sensitised solar cells. Interface states trap charge carriers, reducing efficiency levels.
Scientists have created a rechargeable battery driven by bacteria, addressing safety issues and high costs associated with conventional lithium-ion batteries. The microbial battery successfully stored energy for 16 hours and discharged it over the next 8 hours, mimicking day-night patterns typical of solar energy production.
Researchers used X-rays to observe exactly how silver electrical contacts form during manufacturing, shedding light on the complex process. The results show that lead oxide plays a key role in forming the contact, etching away the solar cell's antireflective coating and allowing silver to move through and harden.
Renowned researcher D. Yogi Goswami has been awarded the 2016 Böer Solar Energy Medal of Merit for his significant pioneering contributions to solar energy. His work focuses on reducing costs and developing efficient, effective storage methods for solar energy.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed an approach to optimizing neighborhood solar energy production, which can increase annual electricity output by 4.6% and reduce volatility in electrical output by 4.3%. The method allows homeowners to share expenses and benefits among cooperating neighbors.
Researchers at NREL have improved the maximum voltage available from CdTe solar cells, breaking the 1V barrier and enabling more efficient electricity generation. The innovation could significantly reduce manufacturing costs and make solar energy more cost-competitive with traditional energy sources.
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.