Solar’s $400 Billion Bonus Benefit For The USA
A report from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) shows the American government’s solar energy goals could reap the national economy $400 billion just in environmental and health benefits by 2050 if projected solar uptake is achieved. “We find that a U.S. electric system in which solar plays a major […]
Perovskite Solar Cells Self-Heal In The Dark
With potential power conversion efficiencies of over 25 percent, perovskite solar cells are one of the more promising technologies under the microscope of global research. However, there is a slight problem – expose them to sunlight for too long and they stop working. While most photoactive elements used in the manufacture of solar devices – […]
UNSW Researchers Unveil Solar Breakthrough
Researchers at the University of New South Wales’ Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics have developed a solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 34.5% – a new world record for non-concentrated sunlight. The record was set using a 28 cm2 four-junction mini-module embedded in a prism that splits the incoming rays into four bands. A […]
Using Solar Power To Save Bees
Solar power has been utilised in the battle against the number one enemy of honeybees – the Varroa destructor mite. Aside from supplying us with honey and other products, bees play an incredibly important role in ecosystems and pollinate many crops. It’s been said that if bees disappeared from the face of the planet, humanity […]
World Bank Funding For India’s Rooftop Solar Mission
India’s solar ambitions have received a major boost with the World Bank approving a US $625 million loan to support the installation of rooftop solar power systems across the country. The Government of India’s National Solar Mission has set a goal of installing 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022, 40 GW of which is […]
Solar Energy’s Power In Australia’s Federal Election
A new poll indicates close to two-thirds of Australians (64%) would be more likely to vote for a party with plans to source 100 per cent of Australia’s energy from renewables. The Reachtel poll of 2,400 Australians also indicates 56.1 per cent would be more likely to vote for a party with a policy to […]
Mandatory Solar Power In Santa Monica
Another significant U.S city is making solar mandatory on new residential and commercial buildings. The Santa Monica City Council voted last month to require all new residential and commercial construction to incorporate solar panels – and the ordinance takes effect in just a couple of weeks’ time. Single family dwellings will be required to install […]
Top US Firms Join Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance
Dozens of America’s biggest companies have joined with several non-profit organisations to form the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA), which has set a goal of developing 60 GW of new renewable capacity by 2025. REBA is a coalition led by BSR (Business for Social Responsibility), Rocky Mountain Institute, World Resources Institute and World Wildlife Fund. […]
Global Solar Inverter Manufacturer Rankings
SMA still rules the roost when it come to solar inverter revenue; but competitors are closing in according to research firm IHS. IHS says SMA managed to maintain a 14 percent share of global solar inverter revenue last year; even in the face of significant challenges. “A major contributor to SMA’s improved performance was its […]
Solar Credits Subsidy Reduction On The Horizon
The Solar Credits incentive, which can slash the cost of a home or commercial solar power system by many thousands of dollars, won’t be quite as generous in the not too distant future. First, a bit of background. The Solar Credits subsidy is based on small-scale technology certificates (STC), also known as renewable energy certificates […]