Solar PV Challenging Solar Thermal
In what is being described by some as a ‘dark day’ for solar thermal power in the USA, Solar Trust Of America has announced it will switch the first 500 megawatts of its construction work at the Blythe facility from Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) to PV technology, conceding that CSP technology is simply not viable in current market conditions.
Sungevity Inks $50 Million Home Solar Power Deal
Solar power investment in America continues to defy stock market trends, with US solar power company Sungevity announcing a funding deal with Citigroup Inc. to provide for $50 million in residential solar leases that will allow the company to expand into new territory on the East Coast.
ASU To Lead New U.S. Solar Power Research Center
Faculty from Arizona State University (ASU) will spearhead a new Engineering Research Center (ERC) aimed at creating high-efficiency solar technologies and manufacturing methods to increase solar energy uptake.
Electric, Solar Powered Flight About To Go Mainstream
Elektra One is a single seat electric aircraft with a fly time of 4 hours and a range of 500 km. Instead of being directly powered by solar energy, it will come complete with a solar panel-studded hangar to recharge the plane for carbon emission free flying.
UPDATE – Australia’s Only Solar Panel Factory NOT Closing
In another blow to New South Wales’ already troubled solar industry, the ABC is reporting Australia’s only solar panel manufacturing facility, operated by Silex Solar, will be closing its doors after less than 2 years in operation.
Energy Matters Video News – Episode 42 – August 17, 2011
In this episode, Virginia covers a call to extend Victoria’s solar feed in tariff, Australia’s solar soldier project, IPART requests public comment on New South Wales’ feed in tariff and a team of students who have invented a solar powered clothes dryer.
U.S. Army Establishes Energy Initiatives Office
The United States’ Army says its many large-scale renewable energy installations would become vital to mission security in the event of failure to the civilian electricity grid. The Army has established a new Energy Initiatives Office (EIO) Task Force to manage an estimated $7.1 billion in investments on future renewable energy projects.
Floatovoltaics – Floating Solar Farms
Farm dams can be put to work to host floating solar farms that not only create clean, renewable electricity, but also reduce water evaporation.
Stanford University Unveils New Solar Car
Stanford University will be competing in this year’s World Solar Challenge, to be held in Australia, with what it says is its fastest solar car to date – and hopes to be the first American team to win the race since 1987.
Solar Pioneer Appointed Head Of Singapore Research Institute
Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is hoping that the appointment of Professor Michael Grätzel (often spelled “Graetzel”), will result in advancements in the manufacture of cheaper, more efficient solar cells.
