New Nanostructure Film Reduces Solar Cells Reflection for Better Efficiency
Oregon State University engineers have innovated a new nanostructure film technology that they can deposit on any surface and reduce the reflectance of light. Their technology should perform better and have a lower price.
Fraunhofer Develops New, Easy to Make High Efficiency Solar Cells
Yet another efficiency record has been established for mass-producible solar cells: 23.4%. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) from Germany succeeded to manufacture a single-crystal silicon solar cell of a thin p-type semiconductor layer residing on an n-type semiconductor substrate. The solar cell's area is 2x2cm.
Solar-Powered System Refines Magnesium and Uses It as Green Fuel
Researcher Takashi Yabe at the Tokyo Institute of Technology claims that he developed a system that can run on solar energy, to refine magnesium and use it as a source of fuel.
Helioculture: Making Biofuel from CO2 by Using Solar Power
California-based startup, Joule Biotechnologies is developing a unique process using solar energy that converts carbon dioxide into liquid biofuel. This new process could yield up to 20,000 gallons of usable fuel per year per acre of land for approximately the same cost as fossil fuels.
Google Planning to Improve Solar Thermal Plants for Cheap Electricity
Google Inc is planning to develop its own mirror technology for solar energy that could be more cheaper and accessible to the masses, reducing the cost of building solar thermal plants by a quarter or more.
Mitsubishi Electric to Develop High-Output Solar Cells
The company Mitsubishi Electric has developed ten new models of high-output solar cells: five for the European market and the rest for North America and Asia. The new solar panels have the outputs ranging of 210W, 220W, 225W, 230W and 235W.
New Cheap Plastic Stick-On Solar Cells Could Power Future Electric Cars
Scientists at the University of Queensland have designed stick-on solar cells made from low-cost plastics, being cheaper than the silicon panels fixed to rooftops.
Alaska Installing Solar Water Heating System for Educational Purposes
To reduce energy consumption, Denali Education Center has come up with an idea to install a hot water system, and they managed to make it one of the largest in the state.
Space-based Solar Farm to be Developed by Mitsubishi Electric Corp
According to a report on Bloomberg, Japan plans to build a space-based solar farm, capable of generating 1GW of green power. The project will be developed by Mitsubishi Electric Corp., a manufacturer of solar panels which will join an AUD $25 billion Japanese project to construct a gigantic solar farm in space within three decades.
Carolina Solar Energy Opens 650kW Solar Park
North Carolina's newest solar energy park was opened Wednesday, developed by Carolina Solar Energy. The farm is able to generate about 650KW of green electrical energy, enough to power about 60 homes in Person County.
