Articles tagged with Solar Energy
The grant aims to improve solar energy system efficiency and reduce costs in West Michigan. Researchers will collect data on residential and commercial solar installations to better understand the region's unique conditions.
Concordia University's NSERC Smart Net-zero Energy Buildings Strategic Network has received $1 million in new funding from Natural Resources Canada. This grant will support research and testing of progressive technologies to create net-zero energy homes and commercial buildings.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new material approach that enhances visible light absorption in titanium dioxide, leading to increased solar cell efficiency. This breakthrough has significant implications for clean energy production, waste water purification, and other applications.
University of Chicago researchers engineer small molecules that support long-lived quantum coherences, mimicking photosynthetic systems. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of recreating quantum mechanics in man-made compounds.
A team led by UNC Charlotte researcher Deborah Strumsky is forecasting optimal energy investments using novel methods from network theory, performance curve analysis, and ecological systems. The project aims to provide a detailed picture of the solar technology ecosystem, influencing technological progress and informing policy decisions.
The US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has launched an initiative to build an open-source database of real-world performance from solar facilities. The Open Solar Performance and Reliability Clearinghouse (O-SPaRC) aims to provide critical data on the long-term performance of residential and commercia...
The global solar photovoltaic (PV) industry is making positive strides in reducing its energy debt, with electricity generated by all installed PV panels likely surpassing energy used to manufacture new modules. Continued technological advances and efficient conversion of sunlight into electricity are key factors driving this progress.
Researchers at EPFL created a nanowire solar cell that captures up to 12 times more light than traditional flat solar cells, producing more energy with lower costs.
The Solar Access to Public Capital (SAPC) working group aims to standardize power purchase agreements and develop robust datasets to assess performance and credit-default risk. This effort is expected to attract additional investors to the solar asset class, potentially lowering the cost of solar energy.
Researchers at SISSA have simulated a catalyst that mimics nature's process of producing 'green' fuel from sunlight. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, uses Ru4-POM to oxidize water and produce hydrogen, paving the way for cost-effective and efficient energy storage.
A novel fabrication technique called selective area atomic layer deposition (ALD) developed by Brian Willis could vastly improve the efficiency of solar rectenna arrays. Rectennas can harness more than 70% of the sun's electromagnetic radiation, converting it into usable electric power.
Researchers at NCAR are creating a prototype system to forecast sunlight and resulting power every 15 minutes, enabling utilities to continuously anticipate available solar energy. The project aims to improve cloud prediction accuracy, helping utilities tap into solar energy more effectively and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
A University of Texas at Arlington engineer has developed a semiconductor-based process to capture, store and transmit solar energy more efficiently. The new method increases the yield of solar energy by 10 times and improves efficiency fourfold compared to current methods.
Researchers recommend doubling US energy productivity by 2030 through investments in efficiency concepts, modernizing infrastructure, and educating consumers. This can create a million new jobs, save households $1,000/year, and reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by one-third.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new passivation process that can protect silicon surfaces at room temperature, reducing energy costs and enabling the production of more efficient solar cells. This breakthrough has the potential to replace traditional silicon nitride coatings, which are currently expensive and finicky.
A new world record efficiency of 10.7% has been achieved in thin film silicon solar cells, using less than 2 micrometers of raw material, significantly reducing material costs and energy payback time.
Scientists found that impure domains in polymer-based organic photovoltaic cells can lead to improved performances if made sufficiently small. By studying the trifecta of ALS beamlines, they discovered a happy medium between purity and domain size that should be easier to achieve than ultra-high purity.
Researchers at NC State are developing universal solar panel mounting systems and automated permitting technologies to reduce installation costs. The goal is to make home solar energy systems more accessible and affordable for homeowners.
Experts predict solar power prices will continue falling through 2025, expanding greatly in the process. Continued commitment to research and development is crucial for long-term trends to sustain themselves.
The US Department of Energy's NREL and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory released reports examining solar photovoltaic (PV) pricing in the US. The reports indicate that PV system prices have been falling rapidly over the past decade, with soft costs accounting for 40-50% of residential and commercial PV prices in 2010.
The installed price of US solar photovoltaic systems decreased by 11-14% in 2011 and 3-7% in California's first half of 2012. Module prices fell precipitously since 2008, while non-module costs like installation labor and marketing declined by 30% from 1998 to 2011.
Researchers have developed a 'solar energy funnel' that uses materials under elastic strain to produce unprecedented properties. This concept takes advantage of the varying strain across different wavelengths of light, allowing for more efficient energy production.
Rice University scientists have developed a super-efficient solar-energy technology that converts sunlight into steam directly, with an overall energy efficiency of 24 percent. The 'solar steam' method uses nanoparticles to heat water instantly vaporizing it and creating steam from nearly frozen water.
Researchers at EPFL have created a device that can transform light energy into clean fuel, neutral carbon footprint hydrogen, from sunlight, water, and metal oxides like iron oxide. The technology has great potential to enable economically viable methods for solar hydrogen production.
Researchers from NREL demonstrated a solar cell with external quantum efficiency exceeding 100 percent, producing up to 30% more current than conventional technology. This breakthrough harnesses the power of multiple exciton generation (MEG) to reduce heat loss and increase electrical energy.
The Stanford team installed a solar-powered research camp at Mushara waterhole in Etosha National Park, Namibia, allowing for 20 years of elephant communication study. The camp powered cameras, speaker systems, and equipment to analyze seismic signals generated by low-frequency calls.
Researchers successfully integrated a single functionalized photosynthetic protein system into an artificial photovoltaic device, retaining its biomolecular properties. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential for light-driven, highly efficient single-molecule electron pumps to act as current generators in nanoscale electric circuits.
Researchers are developing molten-salt-based CSP heat transfer fluids with low melting points and low corrosivity to generate steam and electrical power efficiently and cost-effectively. The goal is to reach temperatures of up to 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit to overcome nocturnal drop in power generation capability.
The EPFL team has achieved a record efficiency of 22.4% for photovoltaic cells by combining amorphous and monocristalline silicon in a 'heterojunction' structure. This breakthrough could lead to cheaper and more efficient solar power, with costs estimated at $100 per square meter.
Engineers at Oregon State University have developed a method to use microwave heating to synthesize copper zinc tin sulfide, a promising solar cell compound. This approach saves money, works well, and can be scaled up easily compared to traditional methods.
The University of Minnesota has been awarded two grants from the US Department of Energy to fund research on capturing greenhouse gases and improving solar energy conversion. The grants will support the development of new materials and software tools for these applications.
Virginia Tech engineers have developed an optimization algorithm to integrate solar technologies into smart grids, allowing for efficient energy storage and usage. The system uses real-time electricity prices and load profiles to control distributed photovoltaic power adoption, maximizing revenue for customers and utility companies.
The NSF is providing $3 million to ASU to develop a doctoral program in energy and equip students with skills to address the energy challenges of the future. The Solar Utilization Network IGERT program will focus on four key research areas: biological conversion, photovoltaics, solar thermal, and sustainable policy.
The NIST team has created a versatile measurement system that accurately measures the electric power output of solar energy devices. The new system uses LEDs and can measure spectral response in about 4 seconds, potentially speeding up manufacturing tests for quality control.
Washington University's engineers will work on low-cost solar cells and systems, while Indian partners deploy the technology. The initiative aims to leapfrog energy production technology, moving directly to solar in under-electrified areas of India.
Researchers studied the binding and activation of water molecules in the catalytic site of photosystem II, a key step in converting sunlight into chemical energy. The study provides new insights into the ultra-efficient energy conversion process in nature and could inform the development of more efficient solar-energy technologies.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a nano-sandwich technique to create thinner solar cells while maintaining their ability to absorb solar energy. The new design, which uses a thin active layer surrounded by dielectric materials, significantly improves efficiency and decreases manufacturing costs.
A new high-throughput method identifies promising electrocatalysts for water oxidation, enabling the efficient storage of solar energy. The technique uses ultraviolet light and a fluorescent paint to test metal-oxide electrocatalysts, accelerating the discovery process.
Researchers at Kansas State University have developed greener solar cells that use bacteria to improve efficiency and reduce toxicity. The new technology, led by Ayomi Perera, combines a less toxic dye with a harmless bacterium to generate electricity from sunlight.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a new technology to predict solar energy output, which could help utilities generate significant savings. The system uses sky imagers to capture cloud conditions and forecast power output in 15-minute increments.
Miles C. Barr has developed a lightweight and bendable solar technology that can be integrated into various surfaces, including wallpaper, window shades, and clothing. The technology aims to increase adoption of solar power in the US and developing countries, providing inexpensive power generation.
Scientists from the University of Cambridge have developed a new type of solar cell that can harness more of the energy from the sun. The hybrid cell absorbs red light and uses blue light to boost electrical current, enabling it to capture 44% of incoming solar energy.
A new NASA study finds that Earth's energy budget remained out of balance despite unusually low solar activity between 2005 and 2010. The planet continued to absorb more energy than it returned to space, with carbon dioxide levels needing to be reduced to restore equilibrium.
The University of California, Riverside has received a $2 million award to build solar arrays and advanced battery storage systems for electric vehicles. The project will also install an electric trolley and grid management system to provide clean energy to clean vehicles efficiently.
A team of researchers at the University of Notre Dame has created a one-coat solar paint that can be applied to any conductive surface without special equipment. The paint uses semiconducting nanoparticles to produce electricity, offering a potential solution for inexpensive and efficient energy production.
Concordia University has launched the world's first Solar Simulator-Environmental Chamber, a unique laboratory that will revolutionize solar energy applications and building standards. The chamber is part of the NSERC Smart Net-Zero Energy Buildings Strategic Network, which aims to increase the use of net-zero energy buildings in Canada.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a way to capture hot electrons, increasing the efficiency of solar cells to 44 percent. By exploiting a 'dark state' in organic plastic semiconductor materials, they found that two electrons can be generated from one photon of sunlight.
A new analysis by Michigan Technological University researchers suggests that solar photovoltaic systems can make electricity cheaper than what consumers pay their utilities. The study reveals that previous assumptions about the cost of solar energy were overly conservative, and that the true cost of photovoltaic technology is lower th...
Yogi D. Goswami, Alan R. Hevner, Robert H. Tykot, and Michael J. Zaworotko were elected as AAAS Fellows for their groundbreaking work in renewable energies, computer sciences, archaeological materials science, and solid-state chemistry. They will be formally announced on December 23, 2011, at Science journal.
A recent USGS literature review emphasizes the importance of studying the impact of large-scale solar energy developments on wildlife, particularly in sensitive habitats like the desert Southwest. The study found that only one peer-reviewed study has addressed the direct impacts of solar energy development on any kind of wildlife.
Scientists used Landsat satellite data to study Yellowstone's geothermal activity and identify changes in the park's unique landscape. The study found that satellite data can detect big changes in geothermal areas, but not necessarily what is happening or exactly where.
Recent solar panel cost reductions have led to a significant decrease in system costs, making solar energy comparable to traditional energy sources. The study estimates the true cost of solar panels at under $1 per watt, with system and installation costs varying widely.
Oregon State University researchers have found compounds that offer new, cheap and promising options for solar energy, using the abundant element pyrite. The materials have most of the advantages of pyrite but none of its problems, making them a promising alternative.
Pitt researchers are working on a new method to produce solar cells with higher energy efficiency rates using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy. The goal is to create plastic solar cells that can be used to charge devices simply by stepping into sunlight, reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainable energy.
A polymer-based film with remarkable properties has been developed, offering a potential replacement for Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) in touch-screen devices and flat panel displays. The film is highly transparent, electrically conductive, economical, and flexible.
A University of Houston physicist is part of a multi-institution team that has received an $18.5 million grant to develop new solar power technologies. The center aims to accelerate the US's commercialization of solar energy through cutting-edge research and partnerships with industry.
The conference, 'At the Interface of Natural and Artificial Photosynthesis,' brought together researchers from academia, government, and industry to discuss innovative solar technology based on nature's perfect green machines. The research focuses on replicating photosynthesis' power to create efficient and cost-effective bio-inspired ...
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a new technology that combines conventional fuel with lower-temperature steam produced by solar power, allowing power plants to operate with 25-50% green energy. This hybrid cycle is highly efficient and uses cost-effective materials, making it a more realistic option for the short-term.
Researchers are developing cutting-edge solutions for renewable energy and environmental research, including thousands of sensors to monitor climate change, novel LED designs that boost efficiency, and thinner solar cells. These innovations aim to make space safer by tracking space debris and improve energy sustainability.
Scientists from the University of Gothenburg have launched a GIS system called SEES to determine solar energy potential for existing structures. The system analyzes geographical data and simulates shadows to calculate annual solar radiation on roof surfaces.