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U.S. Solar Electric System Could Lead to Enduring Environmental and Health Benefits

According to a research from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), solar power could give rise to $400 billion in public health and environmental benefits across the US by 2050.

19 May 2016

Study Reveals Cause and Solution for Degradation of Perovskite Solar Cells in Sunlight

The cause and a solution as to why perovskite solar cells tend to degrade in sunlight was revealed by a breakthrough study conducted at Los Alamos National Laboratory. This study helps to eliminate one hurdle towards commercialization of this potential technology.

19 May 2016

Combination of Two Solar Technologies Holds Promise for More Efficient and Cheaper Solar Power

Generally, companies have found that solar panels can either be efficient or economical, but not both. This concept has recently been challenged by a team of researchers at the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. They coupled two solar technologies, moving one step closer to creating more economical and highly effective solar panels.

19 May 2016

Australian Researchers Set New World Record for Solar Cell Efficiency

Engineers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have created a novel solar cell configuration that has pushed the conversion efficiency of sunlight-to-electricity to as high as 34.5%, setting a new world record for unfocused sunlight and bringing us closer to the hypothetical limits for such a module.

18 May 2016

Laser-Fired Contact Process for Series Manufacturing of Highly Efficient PERC Solar Cells

A laser-based manufacturing process from the Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg, Germany is revolutionizing the photovoltaics market. For the first time point-contacted solar cells can be manufactured in series. Several million cells with significantly higher efficiency levels are already on the market.

12 May 2016

Sandia Researchers to Help U.S. Marine Corps Make Smart Decisions on Renewable Energy Planning

The U.S. Marine Corps are the first boots on the ground in a crisis. On the front lines, they must be able to power up securely without plugging into utilities. They require nothing less than completely reliable and cost-effective energy independence.

6 May 2016

Vision Ridge Partners, GSSG Solar Announce Financing of 46.8-MW Solar Energy Project in Japan

Underscoring the major growth in Japan's renewable energy sector, Vision Ridge Partners and GSSG Solar today announced the financing of a major 46.8 megawatt (MW) solar energy project in Japan's Nagano Prefecture.

4 May 2016

Cornell University Opens New 2-MW Sutton Road Solar Farm in Geneva, New York

Bring on the sunshine: Cornell University’s new Sutton Road Solar Farm, a 2-megawatt energy facility that will offset nearly 40 percent of the annual electricity demand at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station (NYSAES) in Geneva, New York, became fully operational April 13.

4 May 2016

Researchers Propose New Model for Recycling Lithium-Ion Batteries into Solar Power Systems

Despite their hefty price tag, smartphones have an average consumer lifetime of about three years. The lithium ion batteries that power them, however, can last for about five years -- meaning that just about every discarded smartphone generates e-waste and squanders the battery’s twilight years.

20 Apr 2016

Scientists Explain Inefficiency of Zinc-Oxide Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Specialized systems of materials, like those comprising of inorganic and organic thin films, are required to convert solar energy into solar fuels or electricity. Processes taking place at the junction of these thin films play a vital role in transforming the solar energy.

18 Apr 2016