Articles tagged with Solar Energy
The company aims to develop third-generation organic solar cells using sustainable materials and flexible sheets. The new technology has the potential to provide low-cost, lightweight, and efficient solar-powered solutions for various applications.
The California Energy Commission is funding $1.4 million in renewable energy research at UC San Diego, including advanced solar forecasting and energy storage systems. The investment will help accelerate the development of clean energy technologies and achieve California's 33% Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard by 2020.
A University of Missouri engineer has developed a flexible solar sheet that captures more than 90% of available light, capturing both sunlight and heat for electricity generation. The team plans to make prototypes available within five years, with potential commercial applications in various industries.
Researchers have discovered a way to re-engineer plants to store solar energy more efficiently, which could lead to alternative renewable fuel sources and reduced land usage. The new approach involves manipulating the structure of plants using synthetic biology and genetic manipulation to create biological band gaps similar to those fo...
A study published in Science compares the energy conversion efficiency of photosynthesis and photovoltaics, finding that artificial systems can outperform natural ones. The researchers suggest reengineering photosynthesis to improve its ability to meet human energy needs through synthetic biology and technology.
Researchers assembled a team to investigate the efficiency of photosynthesis and solar cells. They found that plants are approximately 1% efficient in converting sunlight into energy, while photovoltaic arrays can achieve up to 10% efficiency.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that solar cells are more efficient than plants in capturing sunlight's energy. However, scientists aim to enhance plant efficiency using innovative approaches such as replacing photosystems with those from cyanobacteria.
Scientists have engineered a cheap and abundant alternative to platinum-based catalysts, enabling the production of hydrogen fuel from sunlight and water. This discovery is crucial for creating a sustainable green energy economy.
Boston College and MIT researchers created high-performance nanotech materials on a flat panel platform, demonstrating seven to eight times higher efficiency than previous solar thermoelectric generators. The innovation enables the simultaneous generation of hot water and electricity, potentially shortening payback time by one-third.
Researchers at MIT have developed a novel method to enhance solar-cell efficiency by utilizing viruses to assemble carbon nanotubes on a surface. This technique has shown significant improvements in power-conversion efficiency, with enhancements up to 10.6 percent.
A Berkeley Lab study found that homes with solar PV systems in California sell for an average of $17,000 more than similar homes without the system. The research analyzed over 72,000 home sales and controlled for various factors to show a significant impact of PV systems on home prices.
The book highlights the crucial role of policy mechanisms, such as the feed-in tariff, in promoting widespread solar energy deployment. In California, a new law aims to make solar affordable at the municipal level.
NIST has broken ground on three new facilities: a net-zero energy residential test facility, an expanded National Fire Research Laboratory, and over 2,500 solar energy modules. The Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility will serve as a testbed for new home-scale energy technologies, while the National Fire Research Laboratory expans...
China's solar greenhouses use southern-facing designs to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. The study found that these greenhouses can produce a wide range of vegetables, even during winter months, providing a sustainable solution to the global energy crisis.
Solar panel manufacturers are transitioning towards more environmentally friendly manufacturing processes to replace toxic materials with eco-friendly alternatives. The goal is to ensure that photovoltaics not only produce renewable energy but are also renewably produced.
The two-year project aims to improve the durability and lifetime of mirror-augmented photovoltaic systems. Researchers will test and qualify mirrors, PV modules, and MAPV systems to ensure reliable performance.
A new reactor converts solar energy into fuels by concentrating sunlight and using cerium oxide to convert carbon dioxide and water. The reactor achieves high rates of CO2 dissociation, demonstrating potential for efficient production of fuels.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a more accurate solar map for California, suggesting that west-facing solar panels can increase energy production. By optimizing panel orientation, households and businesses can maximize their solar power output during peak demand hours.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new method for reporting solar data, allowing policymakers and businesses to understand solar resources. The method presents solar data in a geographic information system (GIS) format, providing daily, monthly, and yearly averages.
A Tel Aviv University researcher has challenged recent 'charge' measurements for increasing solar panel efficiency, suggesting that current predictions are unfounded. However, his research also identifies potential new strategies for improving solar energy technology and storing solar energy.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered that the hornet's body shell can harvest solar power due to its unique structure. The yellow and brown stripes on the abdomen enable a photo-voltaic effect, converting solar radiation into electric energy.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new equation that describes the relationship between current and voltage in organic semiconductors, which could enable advanced solar cells, thin OLED displays, and high-efficiency lighting. The equation provides fundamental insights into how charge moves in these materials.
Rural Cogeneration has developed a solar generator that can bring electricity to remote areas worldwide. The project uses a Rankine engine and mirrors to generate power and hot water, with plans to manufacture locally and train local maintenance personnel.
Polymeric solar cells face challenges due to their interpenetrating structures, which impede the travel of energy-carrying excitons. The team hopes to develop more efficient solar cells by understanding and addressing this structural issue.
Researchers at OU aim to create more efficient solar 'photovoltaic' cells that can convert heat to electricity with conversion efficiencies of 30% or higher. The project involves collaboration between OU and Sandia National Laboratories to push photovoltaic technology to longer wavelengths.
A research team from Rochester Institute of Technology conducted a life-cycle assessment of organic solar cells, revealing lower embodied energy compared to conventional inorganic devices. The study also found potential benefits for manufacturing, including low-cost solution processing.
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a new manufacturing approach to reduce solar energy costs using continuous electronic sheets and roll-to-roll processing techniques. The hybrid material enables high-quality production with lower costs, making it competitive with silicon-based products.
Researchers at MIT have created a way to funnel solar energy using carbon nanotubes, allowing for smaller and more powerful solar arrays. The technology could increase the efficiency of photovoltaic cells by concentrating photons into tiny spots with antennas that capture and focus light energy.
Prof. Dr. Hans-Werner Schock received the prestigious Becquerel Prize for his outstanding work in solar energy technology, particularly in developing efficient thin-film solar cells. His research has led to significant advancements in solar cell efficiency and material combinations, paving the way for a more sustainable energy future.
Walter Kohn predicts a new era in human history where solar and wind power dominate global energy, driven by growing alternative energy production and declining oil and gas reserves. International cooperation is crucial to addressing the challenges of a rapidly changing energy landscape.
Researchers have discovered a method to improve the performance of organic solar cells by modifying an interface between an organic polymer and an inorganic oxide layer. This breakthrough could significantly enhance the industry's prospects for producing efficient and environmentally friendly electricity.
A team at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that adding just 9% selenium to zinc oxide boosts the material's efficiency in absorbing light. This breakthrough potentially addresses both cost and efficiency needs for sustainable solar power conversion.
A new solar energy conversion process called photon enhanced thermionic emission (PETE) has the potential to surpass existing photovoltaic and thermal conversion technologies. The process excels at higher temperatures, making it ideal for use in solar concentrators.
The University of California, Riverside's Southern California Research Initiative for Solar Energy (SC-RISE) has been recognized as a leading example of international collaboration for sustainable energy. The city of Riverside will receive an award from Sister Cities International for its role in launching SC-RISE.
Professor Michael Graetzel receives Millennium Technology Prize for his groundbreaking work on dye-sensitized solar cells, a cost-effective and versatile form of solar energy. The award recognizes his contributions to developing this technology and unlocking safer, more efficient batteries and carbon-free energy storage.
The Australian government is funding a project to develop renewable energy technologies for the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory and the Pawsey High-Performance Computing Centre. The Sustainable Energy for SKA facility will support solar and photovoltaic technology and direct heat geothermal demonstrator to cool supercomputers.
Researchers at Michigan State University discovered that shiny black solar cells lure water insects away from critical breeding areas. Applying white grids or other methods can break up polarized reflection of light, making it less attractive to mayflies and other aquatic insects.
The Office of Naval Research has selected nine researchers to receive funding for their innovative energy projects, aiming to help the Navy decrease its reliance on fossil fuels. The winners will use up to $100,000 to develop technologies such as solar power and microbial energy generation.
The inaugural issue of OSA's Energy Express highlights research on solar concentrators, which aim to increase the efficiency of solar energy generation. New devices and technologies are being developed to concentrate sunlight, making solar power more economical and efficient.
A Spanish-German partnership has created a virtually invisible solar film, Evalon Solar, which is integrated into the building rather than superimposed on it. The film, made from flexible silicon cells, can be used on vertical surfaces and retains only about 8% of energy captured from the sun.
Researchers at Oregon State University have made an important breakthrough in producing thin film absorbers for solar cells using continuous flow microreactors. This innovative technology could significantly reduce the cost of solar energy devices and material waste, making it a game-changer for sustainable solar cell manufacturing.
Two studies by Queen's University researchers suggest southeastern Ontario has enormous solar energy potential, producing nearly as much power as the US nuclear grid. The studies, led by Professor Joshua Pearce, estimate 95 gigawatts of potential power in the region.
Professor Benoît Marsan's research solved two long-standing issues in solar cell development: a corrosive electrolyte and expensive platinum cathode. His innovative solutions use new molecules and cobalt sulphide, increasing photovoltage and stability.
Researchers create artificial leaf-like structures that can harness sunlight and water to produce hydrogen fuel, increasing activity by a factor of ten compared to commercial photo-catalysts. The 'Artificial Inorganic Leaf' (AIL) mimics natural leaves' structural features for improved light harvesting efficiency.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have created a semi-tropical frog-inspired foam that converts solar energy into sugars. The foam, which uses plant, bacterial, and fungal enzymes, can produce fuels like ethanol without diverting energy to other functions.
A new, inexpensive method for solar energy storage has been developed, enabling personalized solar energy at the individual or home level. This innovation uses a practical catalyst to split water molecules into hydrogen, producing clean electricity in a fuel cell.
Researchers at Monash University have developed a new way to increase the output of next-generation solar cells, achieving a three-fold increase in energy conversion efficiency. The breakthrough uses a new, more efficient type of dye that enables the operation of inverse dye-sensitised solar cells.
The symposium focused on four main topics: mimicking photosynthesis using synthetic materials, production and use of biofuels, developing innovative solar cells, and storage and distribution of solar energy. Scientists have been successful in mimicking the fuel-making process of photosynthesis but must now find ways to do so commercially.
Engineering students at UC San Diego helped streamline the application process for federal Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, securing $154 million for 192 solar projects. The students developed an analytical tool to calculate energy output and payback time, allowing applications to be completed in 10 minutes.
The University of Central Florida has received a $7.5 million research grant to enhance the efficiency of hybrid photovoltaic solar cells. Researchers will focus on increasing the absorption capability of organic materials to capture a broader spectrum of sunlight, leading to more flexible and efficient solar panels.
Stanford University researchers propose that transitioning to renewable energy could reduce global power demand by 30%, making it cheaper than fossil fuels or nuclear energy. The study finds that wind, water, and solar energy can meet the world's power demands with minimal land area required.
Concordia University will construct an Environmental Chamber with a solar simulator to test innovative building-integrated solar systems and materials. The facility aims to develop solar buildings with net-zero energy, generating as much electricity as they use.
The US Department of Energy has awarded $377 million to fund 46 new energy frontier research centers, aiming to accelerate scientific breakthroughs in clean and renewable energy. The centers will focus on advancing solar energy, biofuels, transportation, energy efficiency, and nuclear energy.
Researchers have developed a new design for solar cells using arrays of nanoscale pillars, each a single crystal, to efficiently convert light into charge-carrying electrons. The efficiency of the test device was measured at six percent, which is higher than most photovoltaic devices based on nanostructured materials.
Recent studies suggest tidal stream devices could supply up to 5% of the UK's electricity needs, offering a solution with minimal environmental impacts. Collaborative projects are developing more fatigue-resistant materials and improved design techniques for wind turbine blades and solar energy converters.
Researchers at SRNL are investigating nanostructured coatings to enhance the efficiency of solar cells by reducing reflection. These coatings have shown promise in mimicking nature's ability to absorb light, with potential applications in commercial, home-based, and space-based solar cells.
The US Department of Energy has announced a $777 million initiative to fund 46 Energy Frontier Research Centers, including one at Caltech led by Harry Atwater. The center will focus on understanding light-material interactions for optimal solar energy conversion.
The University of Texas at Austin is receiving $30 million in funding from the US Department of Energy to develop innovative nanomaterials for solar energy and batteries, as well as study the movement of greenhouse gases in geological systems. This funding will support research into new paradigms for achieving U.S. energy security.
The Arizona State University EFRC will pursue advanced research on solar energy conversion based on photosynthesis principles. The goal is to design a synthetic system that uses sunlight to convert water into hydrogen fuel and oxygen, providing a renewable source of clean energy.
A new multi-million-dollar Energy Frontier Research Center announced by the White House will focus on understanding gas-liquid interactions at solid surfaces. This research has potential applications in developing more efficient batteries, solar and electrical energy conversion into fuel, improved fuel cells, and enhanced corrosion res...