3D Solar Cell Boosts Efficiency By 80 Percent
Scientists at the USA’s Dept. of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have created a three-dimensional solar cell which could boost photovoltaic (PV) light-to-energy conversion rates by 80 percent.
New Polymer Solar Power – Thermal Device Unveiled
A new polymer-based solar-thermal device developed by the Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials at Wake Forest University can generate power from both heat and visible sunlight. The concept could potentially slash the cost of home heating by as much as 40 percent.
Totally Won By The Power Of The Sun
French oil and gas giant, Total Group, has purchased 60 percent of US solar panel manufacturer and global exporter, SunPower Corp.
Centralised Vs. Decentralised Solar Power
As the U.S. begins a major push to become the leading player in the global solar revolution, the topic of sprawling solar farms built away from communities vs. small and medium scale solar arrays utilising rooftops and smaller parcels of already developed or degraded land is becoming an increasingly important issue.
Gillard Talks Fossil Fuels, Reid Evangelises Renewables In China
Taking a diplomatic sojourn in China this week alongside Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard was Democratic Senate House leader Harry Reid – a man who would appear to understand the importance of renewable energy to a country’s economy.
Victoria’s Solar Feed In Tariff Cap Approaches
Solar power incentives come and go – sometimes with little warning – and the latest initiative where the future seems uncertain for new systems installed from late this year is Victoria’s solar feed in tariff.
Global Renewable Energy Capacity Eclipses Nuclear Power
Even before the Fukushima nuclear crisis hammered what some hope is another nail in the nuclear power industry coffin; the sector was in decline – but renewables gained a great deal of traction.
Energy Matters And Apollo Energy At Clean Energy Week 2011
Australia’s two biggest renewable energy conferences, the Clean Energy Conference and ATRAA are being held over one week and under one roof and this year; and the general public are invited to attend.
Solar Sail Satellite’s Slow Journey Home
NASA’s NanoSail-D solar-sail equipped satellite will soon begin its descent from an altitude of 640 kilometres above the Earth.
Solar Cell Efficiency Boosted With A Virus
Through harnessing viruses as workers, MIT researchers have developed a method of improving the conversion efficiency of solar cells.