Rising Silicon Prices To Impact Solar Panel Producers
In what can only be described as bad news for makers of solar panels, new figures from Bloomberg New Energy Finance show the cost of solar-grade polysilicon and wafers has risen to a two-year high, while prices of finished solar energy systems face increased downward pressure.
Nuclear Power Investment To Shift To Renewables .. And Coal
The fallout from the nuclear crisis in Fukushima Japan is more than just radioactive – it’s effects are extending into politics and future nuclear investment.
Quantum Dots Could Increase Solar Panel Electricity Output
New research undertaken in the USA into quantum dots may have uncovered ways to multiply the energy output of individual electrons, increasing the efficiency of the solar panels and resulting in more electricity from the same amount of absorbed light.
New York’s First Solar Powered Electric Vehicle Charging Station
New York City’s first solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging station was unveiled earlier this month in Brooklyn Bridge Park; a 34 hectare sustainable waterfront park stretching 2 kilometres along Brooklyn’s East River shoreline.
Solar Powered Western Australian Mine Receives Award
Galaxy Resources has received the Energy Generation and Distribution Award from the Sustainable Energy Association of Australia for its use of solar power in a mine in Western Australia.
New Battery Structure Improves Charging and Energy Storage Capacity
Researchers at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign have developed a 3d nanostructure for battery cathodes that permits far faster charging and discharging without sacrificing energy storage capacity.
Bacteria’s Potential For Solar Cell Materials
Researchers from the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Laboratory and Washington University are studying the light-harvesting abilities of some of nature’s most photosynthetic life-forms, breaking ground into a new generation of solar cell design.
Australian Company To Build Floating Solar Farm In India
Australian solar power company Sunengy Pty Limited has announced a deal with India energy giant Tata Power for the construction of floating solar farm in India by the end of this year.
Energy Matters Video News – Episode 27 – March 23, 2011
In this episode, Virginia covers the Queensland Government’s Solar Kindergarten Installation Program, a report advising the ACT Government to reduce the solar feed in tariff rate for new connections, a partnership between the Australian Solar Institute and a major European solar research organisation and the NSW Greens proposal for three 200 megawatt solar thermal power stations for the state.
Americans Turning From Nuclear Power To Solar Energy
The nuclear crisis in Japan is dramatically changing views about the use of nuclear energy for electricity generation. In the USA, a survey has found a majority of respondents want to see a freeze on new nuclear power station construction and more focus on wind and solar power.