solar: search

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

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.

Researchers Improve Solar Cell Performance

Vegematic writes "Researchers at MIT have improved solar collectors using dyes. They just increased their performance results by a factor of 4. These paint-on materials can increase the power obtained from existing solar cells by a factor of over 40 without needing to track the sun. 'By collecting light over their full surface and concentrating it at their edges, these devices reduce the required area of solar cells and consequently, the cost of solar power. Stacking multiple concentrators allows the optimization of solar cells at each wavelength, increasing the overall power output.' There is also a shorter FAQ available."

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.

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.

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.

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…

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

Chinese solar cell maker JA Solar to get new COO

Chinese solar cell maker JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. said Thursday that Elmer Hsu will replace Kang Sun as chief operating officer on Aug. 1.

New solar concentrators could replace solar panels

BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhuanet) -- A new compact method utilizing solar concentrators to generate electricity could make solar panels that contain expensive photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity a thing of the past.

New solar concentrators could replace solar panels

BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhuanet) -- A new compact method utilizing solar concentrators to generate electricity could make solar panels that contain expensive photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity a thing of the past.

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.

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.

Canadian Solar signs 10-year supply deal with LDK

Canadian Solar Inc. said Monday it signed a a ten-year supply contract with solar wafer maker LDK Solar Co., strengthening a two-year-old tie between the companies as LDK ramps up production later this year.

Solar LCD Powered iPods, iPhones and Laptops?

A recently published patent application discovered by MacRumors reveals that Apple is investigating the use of solar power in versions of their mobile devices -- both handheld devices and portable computers. Integrating solar power into a mobile device holds the enormous potential of extending battery life significantly. However, successfully integrating solar panels into these small devices is not without its challenges.

First Solar (FSLR) NewsBite - FSLR Slips as Oil Prices Decline

First Solar Inc. (FSLR) opened at 255.87. So far today, the stock has hit a low of 246.51 and a high of 260.00. FSLR is now trading at 251.07, down 2.58 (-1.01%). The stock hit its 52 week high of 317.00 in May and set its 52 week low of 74.77 in August. FSLR has been climbing for the past year. First Solar shares have been slipping with other solar operators dragged down by lower crude oil futures that declined near $140 a barrel. Technical indicators for the stock are bearish and steady while S&P gives FSLR a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold rating. If you’re looking for a hedged play on this stock, consider a July bear-call credit spread above the $300 range. FSLR stock could rise up to 19.5% before expiration and this position would still be profitable.

Sector Snap: Chinese solar energy companies fall

Shares solar cell maker Trina Solar Ltd. fell Tuesday, joining a decline among most other Chinese solar energy companies.

American Solar Challenge Racers Head For Canada

coondoggie writes "Solar race cars this week began their nine-day, 2,400 mile chase from Dallas to Calgary, Alberta using only the sun for fuel. The 24 teams in the American Solar Challenge race are mainly US college teams including entries from MIT, Ohio State and Northwestern. The University of Michigan's Continuum car is the defending champ, having won the Challenge in Australia last year. The University of Michigan has won four out of the eight North American Solar Challenges it has entered with its team of more than 100 engineering students, who have vowed to defend their title this year."

Hessi Solar Flare Observation Spacecraft - , USA

The High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (HESSI) spacecraft was launched in February, 2002. The spacecraft was designed to explore the basic physics of particle acceleration and explosive energy release in solar flares. HESSI is designed to image solar flares in energetic photons from soft X-rays.

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