Photovoltaic Cells Archives – The Green Optimistic

The Immortus: A Sports Car Powered by Solar Energy

Annika Tostengard — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:27:40 +0000

EVX Ventures, an Australian-based company, has created a sports car that runs entirely on solar energy. Called the Immortus, the car contains 7 sq m, or 75 sq ft, of solar voltaic paneling. On sunny days, the vehicle is capable of travelling an unlimited distance at a speed of greater than 37 mp/h. Being a sports car, […]

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Photovoltaic Cells Might Soon be Made Out of Bacteria, MIT Study

Mila Luleva — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 15:32:24 +0000

Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) produced biofilms from bacteria, which can conduct electricity and emit light. Inspired by bones, mixed matrices that can be observed in nature, the team combined living cells with materials such as nanoparticles and quantum dots to produce the living material that one day could lead to low cost manufacturing […]

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Solar Cell Efficiency Boosted By Light-Trapping Nanoantenna Array

Leigh Hutchens — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:48:58 +0000

The efficiency of photovoltaic cells must be improved to further renewable energy science, but the endeavor has so far eluded scientists. To date, under controlled laboratory conditions, the best cells can convert nearly half the sunlight they absorb into 44% electricity. Commercial cells convert less than half of this amount. However, there may be hope. […]

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Weird or What: UK’s National Coal Museum Powered by Solar Panels

Leigh Hutchens — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 06:02:56 +0000

Ironically, the National Coal Museum in the United Kingdom is now powered by solar panels. Yes, the birth place of the coal-powered industrial revolution is powered by solar panels. The National Coal Mining Museum in south Wales’ Big Pit in Blaenavon, Nr Agergavenny is using 200 photovoltaic solar panels. These panels, erected on Big Pit’s […]

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Nobel Laureate and Photosynthesis Expert Hartmut Michel Says Biofuels Provide No Value

Leigh Hutchens — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:21:51 +0000

Nobel Laureate and current director of the Molecular Membrane Biology department at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysics, Dr. Hartmut Michel is best known for his research on photosynthesis. He is one of the foremost experts in the world on how plants turn sunlight into energy. Armed with his vast knowledge, Dr. Michel has some […]

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Economical Anti-Reflection Coating Increases Solar Cell Efficiency By 3%

Janina Lazo-Cruz — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:20:47 +0000

Brisbane Materials of Australia has recently developed a 110-nm thick anti-reflection coating with refractive index of 1.25 that they claim to be the most cost-effective and highest performing coating to date, improving a photovoltaic cell’s efficiency by as much as 3%. Anti-reflection coatings are applied on top of solar cells’ glass cover, which protects them […]

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PlanetSolar: The World's Biggest Solar-Powered Multi-Hull Vessel Released

Mike Sandru — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:12:57 +0000

The world's biggest vessel powered entirely by solar energy has been unveiled in Germany. Measuring about 31m in length, the new catamaran called PlanetSolar is able to achieve a top speed of about 25 km/h (15 knots) and can carry 50 people.

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Sanyo Double-Sided PV Cells Increase Efficiency With DuRock Reflective Membrane

Cristi — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 11:37:58 +0000

The Sanyo' HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin-layer) is a double-sided photovoltaic module that can be mounted very easily over carports, canopies, porches and other types of coverings.

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Photovoltaic Retinal Implants Powered by Onboard Solar Cells

Mike Sandru — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:02:32 +0000

Scientists at Stanford University have developed photovoltaic retinal implants for people that suffer from degradation in their photoreceptor cells, causing partial vision.

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Glitter-Sized Photovoltaic Cells Expected to Produce More Power at Less Cost

Mike Sandru — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:21:32 +0000

ÃƒÂ¢€Ã…â€œEventually units could be mass-produced and wrapped around unusual shapes for building-integrated solar, tents and maybe even clothing. This would make it possible for hunters, hikers or military personnel in the field to recharge batteries for phones, cameras and other electronic devices as they walk or rest.ÃƒÂ¢€ said Greg Nielson, Sandia lead investigator.

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Sharp Reaches Solar Cell Energy Conversion Efficiency of 35.8%

Mike Sandru — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:55:21 +0000

Sharp Corporation has recently announced a breakthrough technology with which it has achieved the world's highest solar cell conversion efficiency of 35.8%.The best feature of this triple-junction compound solar cell is that it uses photo-absorption layers made from compounds consisting of two or more elements such as indium and gallium.

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