Solar powered device harvests clean drinking water from air
Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of California Berkeley have developed a solar-powered device capable of harvesting clean drinking water from thin air. The technology relies on a special foam-like material – a metal-organic framework, or MOF – that “sucks” water into its pores from dry air using ambient solar heat. In […]
Commercial Energy Storage Systems For Walmart Stores
40MWh (megawatt hours) of battery systems will soon be installed at 27 Walmart stores across Southern California. Advanced Microgrid Solutions (AMS) has announced it will design, install and operate its Hybrid Electric Building systems for the company. AMS says these will improve energy efficiency, guarantee the retailer electricity savings and provide grid services to local […]
Portland And Multnomah County Pledge 100% Renewable Energy
The City of Portland (Oregon, USA) and the county in which it is located have committed to 100% renewables by 2050 – and that’s not just electricity. Earlier this week, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler outlined details of the goal that will see all of Multnomah County’s electricity needs met by renewable sources by 2035 and […]
Save As You Go Solar Street Lighting
The zero-deposit, save as you go concept for home solar power systems has been extended to street lighting by a UK company. Many councils and local governments throughout the world would probably be open to switching to solar street lights. According to the Australian Government’s EnergyRating web site, here in Australia there are approximately 2.28 […]
New Solar Cell Material Exceeds Shockley–Queisser Limit
U.S. researchers have successfully demonstrated a novel hybrid solar material capable of generating more than twice the amount of energy from sunlight than conventional silicon cells. The new crystalline material shares characteristics with silicon, but is instead made using perovskite as a semiconductor. Testing has shown it exceeds the so-called Shockley-Queisser Limit – the theoretical […]
How To Build A Better, Cheaper Solar Inverter
A three year project to develop a concept for the next generation of solar PV inverters has claimed success, resulting in a more efficient and cost effective design. The project, which commenced in 2014, was led by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in collaboration with leading inverter manufacturer SMA, Fraunhofer […]
Ouyen Solar Farm Gets Planning Approval
Planning approval has been granted for a 10MW solar farm to be constructed near the Victorian town of Ouyen. The Sunraysia Daily reports a planning permit for the $14.2 million project was issued by Mildura Rural City Council last week. Located 110 kilometres from Mildura and 441 km north-west of Melbourne, Ouyen is the commercial […]
Handheld Scanner To Improve Wind Turbine Reliability
A new palm-sized radar scanning unit capable of detecting minute defects in the composition of wind turbine blades could save the global wind power sector millions in production and maintenance costs, according to its German developers. Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics say their radar-based technology provides manufacturers with a far […]
City Of Chicago Announces 100% Renewable Energy Goal
An ambitious plan to make Chicago the largest major city in the USA to have 100 percent renewable energy supply for its public buildings was announced yesterday. Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago Park District, and City Colleges of Chicago have joined Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s commitment to a project to use 100 percent renewable […]
Solar Textiles Project Wins Global Change Award
A proposed process to create a precursor for nylon using solar power, water and plant waste has won a 2017 Global Change Award from the H&M Foundation. Nylon was created accidentally in 1930 and is everywhere today. The thermoplastic material is used primarily for flooring, molded car parts, food packaging and is extensively utilised in […]
