Spin Stabilized Microsatellites With Solar Concentrators: related news

Spin-Stabilized Microsatellites With Solar Concentrators

A document proposes the development of spin-stabilized microsatellites powered by solar photovoltaic cells aided by solar concentrators. Each such satellite would have a cylindrical or other axisymmetric main body with solar cells mounted in a circumferential beltlike array on its exterior surface. The solar concentrator would be a halo-like outrigger cylindrical Fresnel lens array that would be deployed from and would surround the main body, connected to the main body via spokes or similar structural members.

Solar energy turns organic

(Nanowerk News) Cheap and efficient conversion of solar energy into electricity could help combat global warming and the shortage of fossil fuels. However, the high production cost of electricity from silicon-based solar cells has limited the use of the technology. Low cost solar cells with high cell performance are highly desirable and organic solar cells could be the answer. They are easy to make from inexpensive organic materials and, unlike inorganic solar cells, are lightweight, flexible and colourful.

Nanowires May Boost Solar Cell Efficiency

SOLAR POWER, SOLAR PANELS, SOLAR CELLS, PHOTOVOLTAICS, ALTERNATIVE ENERGY, NANOWIRES, NANOSCIENCE, NANOTECHNOLOGY, NEXT-GENERATION SOLAR, NANO-SOLAR

Nanostructures Will Raise Thin-Film Solar Cell Efficiency

SOLAR POWER, SOLAR PANELS, SOLAR CELLS, PHOTOVOLTAICS, ALTERNATIVE ENERGY, NANOWIRES, NANOSCIENCE, NANOTECHNOLOGY, NEXT-GENERATION SOLAR, NANO-SOLAR

BeaconEquity.com - Evergreen Solar Inc. (ESLR) Enters Supply Agreements worth Almost $1 Billion

(EMAILWIRE.COM, May 24, 2008 ) BeaconEquity.com announces the publication of “Evergreen Solar Inc. (ESLR) Enters Supply Agreements worth Almost $1 Billion” Investors can view all of the investment articles for free by visiting: http://www.beaconequity.com/m - Click on News and Commentary Evergreen Solar Inc. (ESLR) Enters Supply Agreements worth Almost $1 Billion "The increasing demand for energy, coupled with rising environmental concerns, triggered energy companies to find alternative sources of energy, causing increases in solar energy demand. Solar or photovoltaic cells, used to convert sunlight into energy, are also constantly increasing in demand. Among the common uses of PV cells are calculators, sidewalk lighting systems, and along side freeways to power phones for stranded motorists.

iPhone 2.0: Solar-Powered Mobility

Solar energy is far from a new idea, but Apple (nasdaq: AAPL - news - people ) may be taking the technology to new limits. Many questions have been raised about the possibility–or probability–of Apple using solar energy to power portable devices such as its popular iPhones. It recently became known that employees at the computer, phone and software company have filed a patent to place solar cells on portable devices. (See " Apple’s Solar Strategy")

NASA Set For Solar Sail Test

Solar sails have featured in various sci-fi mediums for a good while now, but NASA are planning to make the technology a reality in a mission which could launch as early as the 29th of July. An earlier 2005 launch of a solar sail craft by The Planetary Society was deemed unsuccessful, so if NASA's experiment fairs better it could be the first step to enabling space exploration powered by the sun's energy. The solar sail, dubbed the NanoSail-D is made up of aluminium and space age plastic and measures 100 square feet when unfurled. A sail of that size isn't enough to carry a craft of any significant size, but sails of thousands of square feet could open up some interesting possibilities. In theory, solar sails would be a better choice than conventional rockets for longer missions.

New efficiency record for solar cells

(Nanowerk News) An improvement of more than 1 per cent (in absolute terms) may at first glance appear modest, but it can enable solar cell manufacturers to greatly increase the performance of their products. This is because higher efficiency is a very effective way of reducing the cost price of solar energy. The costs of applying the thin layer of aluminum oxide are expected to be relatively low. This will mean a significant reduction in the cost of producing solar electricity.

DIY Solar Resources?

TihSon writes "I'm building a large shed out back and I want to power the lighting using a surplus solar panel. In searching for information on how to go about this, I have found a lot of rough DIY guides for various projects that are close to my goal. But none seem to explain the reasoning and theory behind using solar panels, so hacking their project to suit my own needs could be pretty much hit-and-miss. I don't want to do a hacked-up job, and future solar projects are not out of the question, so something a bit more in-depth is required. Do you have suggestions for books or Web sites you have used to learn the ins and outs of using solar panels? Something that starts with basic theory and ends with the ability to wire a house would be perfect.

Commercialization of Nano + Solar Photovoltaic Technologies

This column focuses on issues of interest to entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers in the nano + solar space; (1) listing of some of upcoming conferences relevant to nano + solar (2) overview of commercial considerations for any nano + solar technology (3) overview of some key technologies currently in early stages of commercialization. In my early July column I will review all the new nanotechnologies and companies related to solar that are announced in the year ending June 30, 2008 - and there are many.

HelioVolt Exceeds 12% Solar Thin Film Efficiency with Rapid, Scalable Printing Process

In results presented at the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, HelioVolt Corporation announces that its proprietary FASST® reactive transfer printing process has produced thin film solar cells with 12.2 percent conversion efficiencies in a record setting six minutes. The efficiencies place HelioVolt's Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) devices among the highest performing solar thin film products on the market today. HelioVolt is currently optimizing FASST for further efficiency gains and scaling up the process to begin commercial manufacture of thin film solar modules and building integrated solar products.

Warm Coronal Loops May Hold the Key to Hot Solar Atmosphere

Coronal loops, the elegant and bright structures threading through the solar surface and into the solar atmosphere, are key to understanding why the corona is so hot. Yes, it's the Sun, and yes, it's hot, but its atmosphere is too hot. The puzzle as to why the solar corona is hotter than the Sun's photosphere has kept solar physicists busy since the mid-twentieth century, but with the help of modern observatories and advanced theoretical models, we now have a pretty good idea what is causing this. So is the problem solved? Not quite…

Space probes show solar system dented, not round

When viewed from the rest of the galaxy, the edge of our solar system appears slightly dented as if a giant hand is pushing one edge of it inward, far-traveling NASA probes reveal.

Avalanche Effect Demonstrated In Solar Cells

esocid writes "Researchers at TU Delft (Netherlands) and the FOM (Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter) have found irrefutable proof that the so-called avalanche effect by electrons occurs in specific semiconducting crystals of nanometer dimensions. This physical effect could pave the way for cheap, high-output solar cells. Solar cells currently have relatively low output, typically 15%, and high manufacturing costs. One possible improvement could derive from a new type of solar cell made of semiconducting nanocrystals and could theoretically lead to a maximum output of 44%, with the added benefit of reducing manufacturing costs. In conventional solar cells, one photon can release precisely one electron. However, in some semiconducting nanocrystals, one photon can release two or three electrons, hence the term 'avalanche effect.

Akrion and CEA-Liten Will Collaborate on Advanced Solar Cell Development

ALLENTOWN, Pa., and GRENOBLE, France, June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Akrion, Inc. ("Akrion"), a supplier of advanced surface preparation equipment, and CEA-Liten (Laboratory of Innovation for New Energy Technologies and Nanomaterials), a French public technological research organization, have signed an agreement to collaborate on the development of silicon-based heterojunction solar cells until at least the end of 2009. Akrion's system will provide pre-deposition surface conditioning for heterojunction solar cells as part of the research program on Liten's silicon solar cells technology platform localized in INES (French Institute for Solar Energy) in Le Bourget du Lac, France. By using INES platforms, CEA-Liten conducts research on improving the performance of silicon photovoltaic cells by optimization of manufacturing processes and the introduc

The New Children's Museum Opens in San Diego with 96.4-Kilowatt Solar Electric System Using Kyocera Solar Modules

The New Children’s Museum Opens in San Diego with 96.4-Kilowatt Solar Electric System Using Kyocera Solar Modules

Cheap nano power set to light up rural homes

Electrification of homes in rural areas would no more be a distant dream. Jamshedpur-based Ekta Telecommunication and Systems is working on incorporating nanotechnology in the development of solar modules to provide electricity to all at an affordable rate. The advanced technology can be a boon for rural and urban homes. Increase in efficiency is another benefit of the technology. The technology, based on the use of a combination of solar cells to build a module and eventually a solar cell, would be developed with the use of thin polymer sheets. Electricity would be generated by placing the thin sheet on the rooftop and drawing solar the power for lighting up the entire house. "Solar electricity is the only answer to the power crisis in contemporary times.

Canada back on top after conceding lead

Fifteen wickets fell on the second day of the Intercontinental Cup match between Canada and Bermuda at King City and, even though Canada collapsed to give the visitors a slender first-innings lead, their bowlers put them back on top by the end of the day. Canada were dismissed for 228, Dwayne Leverock taking 5 for 69 with his left-arm spin, in reply to Bermuda's first-innings score of 237 but their spin attack reduced the visitors to 78 for 5 in the second innings by stumps.

Apple Seeks Solar-Power Patent

Solar-powered Apples may on the horizon with the filing of a patent for utilizing solar cells in portable devices. The solar panels would be under the display of both handhelds and portable computers.

Nanowires may boost solar cell efficiency

(Nanowerk News) University of California, San Diego electrical engineers have created experimental solar cells spiked with nanowires that could lead to highly efficient thin-film solar cells of the future.

Plant prototyp with nanotechnology solar cell leaves

(Nanowerk News) A Japanese institute and firms prototyped a foliage plant-like solar cell module by using organic nanotechnology thin-film solar cells.

Physicists don't flip spin but find possible electron switch

(Nanowerk News) University of Oregon researchers trying to flip the spin of electrons with laser bursts lasting picoseconds (a trillionth of a second) instead found a way to manipulate and control the spin -- knowledge that may prove useful in a variety of new materials and technologies.

Trina Solar signs $158 million deal with Greenergy

Chinese solar company Trina Solar Ltd. said Monday it signed a $158 million deal to supply solar modules to GreenergyCapital SpA's ERGYCA Power over the next three years.

New nanostructures will raise thin-film solar cell efficiency

(Nanowerk News) Thanks to nanostructures that scatter and channel light, University of California, San Diego electrical engineers are working toward thin-film “single junction” solar cells with the potential for nearly 45 percent sunlight-to-electricity conversion efficiencies. This UC San Diego effort to break the theoretical limit of 31 percent efficiency for conventional single junction cells recently received a big funding boost from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar America program.

New efficiency benchmark for dye-sensitized solar cells

(Nanowerk News) In a paper published online June 29 in the journal Nature Materials, EPFL professor Michael Grätzel, Shaik Zakeeruddin and colleagues from the Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have achieved a record light conversion efficiency of 8.2% in solvent-free dye-sensitized solar cells. This breakthrough in efficiency without the use of volatile organic solvents will make it possible to pursue large scale, outdoor practical application of lightweight, inexpensive, flexible dye-sensitized solar films that are stable over long periods of light and heat exposure.

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