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Solar
Plans for 280 megawatt solar plant in Arizona
By Emily Clark
22:43 February 21, 2008 PST
Plans have been unveiled for a whopping 280 megawatt (MW) solar power facility in Phoenix, Arizona, making it one of the world’s largest. The Solana Generating Station, to be run by Arizona Public Service (APS), will produce enough energy to serve 70,000 customers when operating at full capacity. Read More
Global Warming Solutions plans hybrid solar plant
By Emily Clark
23:15 February 17, 2008 PST
February 18, 2008 Research and development has commenced to create a new type of solar power plant employing technology that would allow it to produce electricity even during periods of no sunlight. The solar plant will use LETG (Light Electric Thermal Generator), a hybrid solar and thermal energy technology that generates energy by heating up liquids that circulate on the surface of a solar panel. Read More
Beijing’s Olympic Aquatic Centre: the eye-catching, eco-friendly Water Cube
By Jude Garvey
23:19 February 5, 2008 PST
February 6, 2008 Construction work on the Beijing National Aquatic Center began in December 2003 in preparation for the 2008 Olympics and four years later, a stunning piece of architecture has been completed. The “Water Cube” is a rectangular-shaped steel building covered by a membrane of brightly lit blue bubbles which is incredible to look at but it is also important on an environmental level. The Water Cube consists of 100,000 sq m of ETFE, (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) a unique transparent plastic which absorbs solar radiation and reduces thermal loss. This is the first time EFTE has been used in China and it is the world’s largest and most complex EFTE building ever constructed. Read More
Low cost, nano-based solar cell from GE
By Emily Clark
17:58 January 21, 2008 PST
January 22, 2008 GE Global Research, has demonstrated a scalable silicon nanowire-based solar cell, which has the potential to achieve up to 18% efficiency. The breakthrough by the lab’s Nano Photovoltaics (PV) team is a promising new development in making PV systems more economically viable for consumers than conventional solar options. Read More
Solar powered beer in the sunshine State
By Emily Clark
21:38 January 16, 2008 PST
January 17, 2008 The environmentally conscious Sierra Nevada Brewery in California is taking steps to become partially powered by the sun. A 1.3 megawatt solar system is being installed at the Chico plant in two phases and will provide 34% of the brewery’s power. Read More
Solar powered TrailerCam monitors construction site progress in HD quality
By Kyle Sherer
16:17 January 16, 2008 PST
January 17, 2008 EarthCam's solar-powered TrailerCam is designed as an an eco-friendly solution for monitoring construction sites. Together with Control Center 7 software, the appliance provides HD images that allow project managers to monitor site progress live from a remote location, archive footage for dispute resolution and online promotion, as well as proving a viable telecommuting option for professionals working on the jobsite. Read More
Solio Magnesium Edition portable solar charger
17:28 January 9, 2008 PST
January 10, 2008 Portable solar charger specialist Solio has announced a new, ruggedized Magnesium Edition which builds on the features of the original (now branded Solio Classic) with greater output (8W), expanded compatability, a higher-capacity lithium ion battery (3.7v, 1800mAh compared with 3.6v, 1600mAh) and a stronger magnesium alloy shell to cope with the rigors of the road. Retaining the same footprint and fan blade design as the original, the Magnesium Edition is compatible with the universal iGo Tip System and includes a female USB cable for iPod, digital cameras and other compatible gadgetry. It can be charged in around 8-10 hours of direct sunlight or in approximately four hours via a wall outlet and can store energy for up to one year. Read More
Researchers developing solar technology that works at night
By Darren Quick
16:05 January 3, 2008 PST
January 4, 2008 Idaho National Laboratory (INL) reports that research conducted in conjunction with partners at Microcontinuum Inc. (Cambridge, MA) and Patrick Pinhero of the University of Missouri is promising a method for developing cheap solar energy technology that could be imprinted on flexible materials and still draw energy after the sun has set. The technology uses a special manufacturing process to stamp tiny square spirals, or “nanoantennas”, of conduction metal onto a sheet of plastic and the team estimates individual nanoantennas can absorb close to 80 percent of the available energy in comparison to current commercial solar panels which usually transform less that 20 percent of the usable energy that strikes them into electricity – this is even more impressive than the 30% conversion rate offered by the recently discussed development of nano flakes. Read More
Nano Flakes promise greater solar energy efficiency
By Emily Clark
19:53 December 19, 2007 PST
December 20, 2007 The inefficiency of solar cells in converting the sun’s rays into electricity is a key contributor to the high costs of solar energy, but new research into a novel shape of semiconductor nanostructures known as "nano flakes" may revolutionize the process and help improve the viability of clean energy derived from the sun. Read More
First U.S. manufacturing plant for Thermal Solar Systems
By Emily Clark
18:22 December 17, 2007 PST
December 18, 2007 The sunshine-rich state of Nevada is set to be home to the first US manufacturing plant for solar thermal power systems. The 130,000-square-foot, highly automated manufacturing and distribution center will produce the reflectors, towers and absorber tubes needed to create and run solar thermal plants, doubling worldwide output of key components for Ausra Inc’s solar thermal power plant technology and creating “green collar” jobs in the process. Read More
New solar energy project for Spain
By Emily Clark
22:56 December 16, 2007 PST
December 17, 2007 A new three MW commercial solar farm is being proposed in Spain as part of a larger plan to build plants capable of supplying 130 MW of energy over five years. Read More
Nanomars dual-charge solar bags
By Darren Quick
17:32 December 12, 2007 PST
December 13, 2007 The proliferation of mobile devices in everyday life has given rise to a range of new technologies designed to keep portable hardware running when on the move - one such solution is solar powered bags. Like the recently reviewed Voltaic solar charging bags, the Juice Bags line of urban daypacks and the Soldius solar powered golf bag Taiwan based Nanomars line of solar bags utilizes the eco-friendly power of the sun to keep a range of mobile electronic devices charged up but also offers the option of charging from mains power. Read More
New research sheds light on Solar Wind
19:03 December 10, 2007 PST
December 11, 2007 New images and data from the Hinode space mission have provided a better understanding of the sun’s magnetic field and the origin of solar winds that blast through the solar system. Eruptions of magnetic energy from solar winds threaten satellites, telecommunications and electric power grids on Earth and a better understanding of the solar winds, which are propelled from the sun at speeds of almost one million miles per hour, could aid in the early prediction of damaging radiation waves before they reach satellites. Read More
Cohousing community shines with solar
By Emily Clark
22:06 November 26, 2007 PST
November 27, 2007 Originating in Denmark, cohousing is a concept whereby residents actively participate in operation of their own neighborhoods and are committed to living as a community. In Colorado, one such neighborhood is installing solar systems into homes and a shop, supplying half of the community's electrical needs and reducing their carbon footprint. Read More
Jason’s Deli goes solar
By Emily Clark
02:13 November 22, 2007 PST
November 22, 2007 With 170 deli restaurants across the US, Jason’s Deli is now embracing renewable energy in its business model with the launch of its first 'Solar Deli'. The flagship store in Beaumount, Texas is the first to be powered in part by solar energy, with more systems planned in the near future. Read More
Solar schools for Santa Cruz
By Emily Clark
18:25 November 15, 2007 PST
November 16, 2007 The sunny state of California continues to lead the way in solar energy production. In January, the state launched a 10-year Solar Initiative program offering $2.1 billion in rebates for residential and commercial solar systems. The uptake of clean energy is also forging ahead in the public sector, with the latest announcement coming from Santa Cruz County where UPC Solar has won a contract for a 950kW project in the city school system. Read More
New technology promises solar cell efficiency boost
By Emily Clark
23:43 November 12, 2007 PST
November 13, 2007 Global Warming Solutions has announced the development of new solar energy conversion technology based on a special coating that can be applied to existing solar cells. The company expects that application of the technology will increase increase efficiency by 11-15% and boost the market value of a solar cell by more than 60 cents per watt, while at the same time raising manufacturing expenses by just 10 cents a watt. Read More
New five megawatt solar plant for California
By Emily Clark
23:11 November 7, 2007 PST
November 8, 2007 As well as having a reputation for sunshine and acceptance of alternative lifestyles, California is fast becoming a leader in the field of solar energy with more plans unveiled for a new large scale solar plant. Read More
RainMaker Humidification System
By Emily Clark
14:54 November 7, 2007 PST
November 8, 2007 The Rainmaker Humidification System enables extremely precise control of water vapor, a process essential for the manufacture of carbon nanotubes, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and other thin films including photovoltaic cells, where techniques are constantly being developed to reduce the price and increase the productivity of solar systems. Read More
Solar GPS unit tracks your travel experience
By Emily Clark
02:52 October 16, 2007 PDT
October 16, 2007 Here's a clever device for those who return home from holidays with gigabytes of photographs but no idea exactly where they were taken. The dual-powered Super 99 GPS "travel recorder" features the ability to log up to 200,000 waypoints on your journey and supports Geo Tagging of photos along with the ability to share your location with friends via Google Earth. The built-in solar panel also enables the device to operate for up to 48 hours when enough sunlight is available. Read More
Avivasolarcar lines-up for World Solar Challenge
By Emily Clark
00:03 October 16, 2007 PDT
October 16, 2007 The 2007 Panasonic World Solar Challenge kicks off this Sunday October 21. An established platform for the promotion and development of sustainable energy in transport, the biennial race runs for seven days and covers a distance of 3000 km (nearly 1900 miles) from Darwin to Adelaide in Australia. This year 40 teams from across the globe will compete including the Avivasolarcar, a vehicle capable of achieving speeds of up to 75kmh (47mph) while emitting no carbon dioxide and using less electricity than a toaster. Read More
New manufacturing process captures more light in solar cells
By Emily Clark
18:10 October 11, 2007 PDT
October 12, 2007 In another development that aims to make alternative energy generation more efficient and more affordable, Braggone has discovered a method of capturing more light in a solar cell. The result is a new product line that greatly increases the efficiency of solar cells and allows manufacturing facilities to cost-effectively increase their capacity. Read More
Flexible modules could transform windows and buildings into solar panels
By Emily Clark
18:05 October 10, 2007 PDT
October 11, 2007 Traditionally, solar panels for buildings have predominantly been stand alone systems mounted to roofs in order to capture sunlight. The growing focus on "green" energy and a move away from reliance on fossil fuels is driving smarter and more integrated methods of procuring alternative energy sources such as solar, and in line with this, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has invested $4.7 million to develop technology that would allow windows and other building applications to be converted into solar panels. Read More
New solar panels promise reduced installation time
By Emily Clark
01:20 September 28, 2007 PDT
September 28, 2007 Akeena's new Andalay solar panel technology combines savvy design with a number of enhancements designed to decrease installation time. With 70% fewer roof-assembled parts and 50% less labor needed to install the system, the company says the Andalay system can cut installation time from half a day to half an hour. Read More
California winery to convert to 100% solar power
By Darren Quick
21:50 September 17, 2007 PDT
September 18, 2007 The EOS Estate Winery has announced a $3.8 million plan to convert its California Central Coast winery entirely to solar power. To be completed by April, the project will include the installation of more than two acres of ground-mounted tracking solar arrays that will provide all the electrical power needs for the winery and tasting room, while additional roof-mounted solar arrays will provide all the hot water needs. The system will be installed by SunTechnics and will contain 3,084 photovoltaic modules totalling 540 kWp and 60 solar hot water collectors. Read More
Freedom Glen
- November 25, 2009 @ 02:47 UTC
