Articles tagged with Solar Energy
The study found that solar lanterns significantly reduced kerosene and electricity costs, with annual savings ranging from $150 to $250. Solar lanterns also improved household work efficiency for women and increased school hours for children, benefiting rural Indian communities.
The new California Solar Energy Collaborative aims to establish consensus among key stakeholders, develop efficient solar technologies, and create an ambitious energy policy for the state. UC San Diego and UC Davis will utilize the grant to collect existing research, facilitate gap areas, and track evolving solar technology development.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new way to create dye-sensitized solar cells using ancient diatoms, which can potentially triple the electrical output. The technology uses environmentally benign materials and works well in lower light conditions, offering advances in manufacturing simplicity and efficiency.
Scientists at Queen's University have detected giant twisting waves in the lower atmosphere of the Sun, known as Alfvén waves. These waves transport energy into the Corona or outer layer, carrying heat and explaining why it reaches temperatures of over a million degrees.
Researchers from the University of Sheffield and Queen's University Belfast have made a groundbreaking discovery about the Sun's corona. They found evidence for the existence of Alfvén waves, which transport energy to heat the Sun's outer atmosphere, reaching temperatures of over a million degrees.
A solar water-heating system has a payback period of just two years and effectively pays for itself five times over within its twenty-year lifespan. Researchers found that solar heating is 57% of the internal rate of return compared to electrical energy approaches.
The study found that average installed costs of US solar PV systems decreased significantly from $10.50 to $7.60 per watt between 1998 and 2007, with a 3.5% annual reduction in real dollars.
Researchers at Iowa State University are working on a three-year project to improve the efficiency of thin film solar cells, with a goal of boosting efficiency to around 10%. The project aims to develop new silicon alloys and organic semiconductors for improved performance.
Researchers identify 12 abundant materials with potential to meet global energy demand, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional silicon-based solar cells. The study suggests that these new materials could significantly reduce the cost of solar photovoltaics and accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy.
Researchers developed a new process to capture light energy with nearly equal efficiency by connecting molecular wires to biological photosynthetic systems. This approach improves the transfer of electrons, achieving high quantum yields similar to natural photosynthesis.
Solarmer Energy Inc. is working on a new plastic solar cell technology that achieves 8% efficiency and has a lifetime of at least three years. The invention, PTB1, converts sunlight into electricity using a semiconducting material with a thickness of just 100 nanometers.
Researchers have developed a new method to boost the efficiency of solar cells by using nanoparticles. By scattering light and improving color-specific capture, this approach could significantly improve sunlight conversion rates.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory developed a way to produce plastic sheets containing billions of nanoantennas that collect heat energy generated by the sun. The technology has potential to be mass-produced on flexible materials, powering devices with higher efficiency than traditional solar cells.
MIT scientists have overcome a major barrier to large-scale solar power by developing an inexpensive and highly efficient process for storing solar energy. Inspired by plant photosynthesis, they've created a system that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases, producing carbon-free electricity.
The newly established Solar Power Laboratory aims to advance solar energy research and development while improving the efficiency of solar electric power systems. Researchers will collaborate with industry partners to accelerate the expansion of Arizona's renewable energy economy.
Researchers created a sophisticated method to turn ordinary glass into a solar concentrator, boosting solar panel efficiency. The technology uses dye-coated glass to collect and channel photons, reducing the need for semiconductor material and increasing energy output.
Researchers have discovered that the coronal heating mechanism is highly impulsive and can be explained by the acceleration of particles or direct heating. The study also suggests that energy release happens gradually close to the sun's surface, causing thermal nonequilibrium.
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology and Fraunhofer Institute achieved an unprecedented 6% improvement in solar cell efficiency by depositing a thin layer of aluminum oxide on the front of a silicon solar cell. This breakthrough brings the industrial application of high-efficiency solar cells closer, with costs expected to...
Researchers at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft have developed a new lithium-ion battery with non-flammable polymer electrolytes, enhancing safety and increasing conductivity. The improved batteries are expected to compete with lead batteries in cars within 3-5 years.
Renowned chemist Harry Gray foresees a 10-year period of research and development to reduce the cost of solar energy, making it competitive with petroleum. The goal is to harness sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, providing a clean fuel source.
A Penn State researcher is developing solar cells with titanium dioxide nanotubes and organic semiconductors for efficient and low-cost large-scale solar energy conversion. The goal is to achieve photconversion efficiencies of 6-8% and commercialize the technology.
The University of Delaware's Institute of Energy Conversion will receive $3.75 million from the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar America Initiative to continue researching photovoltaic-based solar cells, aiming to produce high-efficiency solar cells and expand its expertise in new areas.
PTL will test concentrator PV systems and work with manufacturers to certify products, develop warranty information, and measure up against industry standards. The goal is to fill a need for reliability tests, subjecting modules to extreme conditions to simulate operational lifetimes.
Researchers created a triple port system for efficient energy transfer between different sources. The new converter transforms energy in a single step, making it more cost-effective and flexible.
Arizona State University has received two grants from the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar America Initiative to develop new materials for solar cells, aiming to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The grants will focus on exploring photovoltaic potential of new materials that were originally developed for laser applications.
The MIT Energy Initiative has partnered with Eni to develop novel photovoltaic materials and design solar power plants. The five-year collaboration will focus on six areas of research, including nano-structured thin film photovoltaics and water splitting.
The four-year project aims to make thin-film light absorbing cells for solar panels from sustainable and affordable materials, reducing costs by one millionth of a metre. Researchers will experiment with low-cost materials and nanotechnology to capture increased amounts of energy from the sun's rays.
Researchers at University of Copenhagen have discovered a new material that can convert up to 30% of solar energy into electricity, twice the current conversion rate. The use of nanotechnology reduces production costs and minimizes energy loss in solar cell transportation.
Researchers uncover the mechanism of photoprotection in plants, enabling them to convert excess light energy into harmless heat. This discovery could lead to more resilient crops and improved solar energy technology.
Leading experts in organic solar cells have expressed concern over the field's reputation being damaged by reports of unrealistic results. The experts call for independent verification and accurate reporting to ensure the success of OSCs.
Researchers are exploring nanoscale materials to mimic the architecture of grass and photosynthesis for efficient solar energy production. Tiny nanoparticles can be embedded in everyday products like house paint and roof tiles to create sustainable solar cells.
Researchers at Durham University are developing light-absorbing materials for thin-layer solar photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert light energy into electricity. The goal is to make solar panels more affordable and increase the use of solar power.
A University of Delaware-led team achieved a record-breaking combined solar cell efficiency of 42.8 percent from sunlight, surpassing the current record of 40.7 percent. The innovative technology incorporates spectral splitting optics with high-performance crystalline silicon solar cells.
A team of Yale chemists is working on converting sunlight into chemical fuels with the goal of increasing the nation's energy supply. They are part of a $12.8 million initiative funded by the US Department of Energy to develop efficient photocatalytic cells for water cleavage with visible-light power.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory explore opportunities to increase solar energy conversion as an alternative to fossil fuels, with potential applications in electricity, fuel, and heat generation. Key findings include advancements in materials science, artificial photosynthesis, and thermoelectric materials that could enhance...
Arizona State University has received a $1.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop innovative nanotechnology solutions for solar energy. The team aims to create tiny devices that can harness light energy more efficiently and convert it into electricity.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in improving the efficiency of solar cells, including plastic solar cells with efficiencies up to 15% and ultrathin dye-sensitized solar cells reaching 11%. Carbon nanotubes could also boost efficiency by doubling photoconversion rates.
A new process makes HMF from fructose, a compound used to make plastics, diesel-fuel additives, and diesel fuel. The method also offers environmental benefits by using carbon dioxide and modern solar energy that crop plants absorb.
The ESF task force identifies three research avenues to generate clean fuels from solar radiation: extending photovoltaic technology, constructing biomimetic devices, and tuning natural systems. These efforts aim to develop sustainable energy supply, reduce human ecological footprint, and mitigate climate change.
Rutgers-Newark Chemistry Professor Elena Galoppini and her team have received a $1.3 million NSF grant to develop new solar cells that harness organic materials and nanoparticles. The research aims to create more efficient methods of converting sunlight into electricity.
Researchers at Imperial College London suggest that photovoltaics could match and exceed current nuclear output by 2023, with potential to produce 12 gigawatts of electricity. The UK's decision to halt solar panel installations is attributed to a pro-nuclear bias in scientific and government establishments.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed dual nanocrystal solar cells that are as cheap and easy to make as organic polymer-based solar cells. The new devices, comprising cadmium-selenide and cadmium-telluride, offer improved stability in air due to the absence of organic materials.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a new type of solar cell made from plastic that is cheaper to produce than traditional silicon-based cells. The cell has an efficiency rating of 4.4% and aims to reach 15-20% efficiency in the future.
A team of scientists from New Mexico State University and Wake Forest University has achieved a 5.2% solar energy efficiency level in organic solar cells, a significant improvement over previous attempts. This breakthrough could lead to the development of cheaper, flexible plastic-based solar panels within four to five years.
The report identifies key areas of focus for improving solar energy technologies, including artificial molecular machines, smart materials, and nanotechnology-based solar cells. It also highlights the importance of basic research in addressing the nation's energy security needs.
The ARC solar thermal building product significantly reduces energy consumption, saving Canadian homeowners up to 48% on their heating bills. By combining SIPS technology with solar panels, the product achieves impressive energy savings and contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a new approach to creating lightweight organic solar cells using pentacene, converting sunlight into electricity with high efficiency. The cells' flexibility and minimal weight make them suitable for powering various devices, from RFID tags to electronic devices.
A new energy source harnessing solar power could revolutionize the way we generate electricity, offering a cheap, clean, and abundant alternative to traditional fossil fuels. The technology uses special titanium oxide ceramics to split water into hydrogen fuel, producing only oxygen and water as by-products.
Researchers have developed a new method to enhance the conductivity of polymer nanowires by injecting extra negative or positive charges using high-energy electrons. This allows for the observation of charge movement across the wire, a key step toward developing good conductors.
Researchers use climate models to analyze past solar energy changes and test regional climate predictions under global warming scenarios. The study reveals smaller background trends in solar energy are in better agreement with long-term climate records, providing insights into Earth's changing climate.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new method for forming organic photovoltaic films, increasing efficiency by 50 percent. The new material is ultra-thin, flexible, and can be manufactured through printing or spraying, making it suitable for large surfaces.
Researchers recommend massive investment in alternative energy sources, including solar and wind power, to meet growing world demand. The study highlights the need for political will, targeted research and development, and international cooperation to mitigate climate change.
Researchers have developed nanoparticles that can absorb all visible light but reject invisible light, increasing the efficiency of solar cells. This technology has the potential to make solar energy dirt cheap to produce and competitive with fossil fuels.
Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center presented new findings on lower dust absorption of sunlight, Arctic stratospheric temperature control and the impact of a large solar proton event on the atmosphere. The studies aim to improve climate modeling and understanding of climate change.
The NTUA is installing 200 photovoltaic systems at private residences in remote areas, serving a single home each. The systems provide clean and quiet power for households with limited or no electricity, improving living standards.
Researchers have directly observed magnetic field line shrinkage or reconnection outflow during solar flares, resolving a long-standing mystery. The discovery sheds light on the behavior of magnetic fields in solar flares and their impact on space weather.
Scientists have discovered a new mechanism for coronal mass ejections, which are large-scale eruptions on the Sun that can cause geomagnetic storms and disrupt power generation. Shock waves generated by solar flares in other regions of the sun can cause these eruptions, contrary to previous thought.
Czanderna's work focuses on improving photovoltaic efficiency and lifespan, with a goal of making solar energy comparable to fossil fuels. His research led to the development of an insulating material that promises to last at least six times longer.
Researchers have discovered a way to harness nature's own tool, photosynthesis, to produce hydrogen gas from sunlight and water, offering a promising alternative fuel source.
A new theory suggests that solar eruptions originate below the Sun's visible surface, rather than in its outer atmosphere. The proposed 'solar flux rope' model could improve forecasting and preparation for electrical disruptions on Earth.