Solar Panels
June 9, 2010
Lunar Solar Belt Conceptualized
The Japanese company Shimizu has a curious idea to energize the planet. They want to build a 6,800 mile long solar belt that would be the length of the Moon's equator. After converting it there, the power will be beamed back to Earth and turned into laser and microwave power. They figure that they can create energy 24/7 and will use robots to maintain the facility.
Via Shimizu
April 14, 2010
XsunX, Intevac Team for CIGS Cell Production
XsunX has teamed with makers of hard disc drives Intevac to produce CIGS thin-film solar cells. The result is a 5 x 5" wafer that is about 1/100th of the thickness of a conventional cell and will save about 75% in costs. CEO of XsunX Tom Djokovich says of the unlikely alliance, "We are taking proven science and manufacturing methods and combining these to produce a product that reduces the structure defects caused by large-area processing techniques."
Via XsunX
(Thanks, Christina)
March 29, 2010
Solar Ivy is Flexible Energy
Sustainably Minded Interactive Technology's pet project, Solar Ivy, is a system made with polyethylene leaves, plastic organic photovoltaics and stainless steel mesh to hold it all together. Each leaf produces about a half watt of power and leaves can be replaced if they malfunction. SMIT seems to have gotten it together as they seem anxious to get some backing and sell their systems. We have to admit we certainly like the design and flexibility.
Via Solar Ivy
March 11, 2010
Marines GREEN is More than Uniforms
The Marine Corps has gone green with their Ground Renewable Expeditionary Energy System. It utilizes stackable 1600W panel arrays and deep cycle batteries to reduce the fuel needed for generators and resupplying fuel in remote locations. GREENS supplies a continuous output of 300W up to 1000W of power. Tested at the Naval Air Warfare Center in China Lake, California, it supplied 85% of the energy needed.
Via Energy Matters
March 10, 2010
India To Build More Solar
India has been steadily rising in the solar PV market. What started out as a 10 member sector a couple of years ago now has 30 module and cell suppliers. The country is looking for investors to produce PV modules and cells, system components, silicon wafers and polysilcion feedstock. In addition to creating, the government is promoting solar energy in the form of solar farms, roof top systems and rural usage to make up for some of their power deficit.
Via Solar Feeds
March 5, 2010
Wonder Wheel Gets Solar Revamp
If you have ever seen the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island in New York in the 80's, you were already impressed with its, well, wonder. Deno Vourderis, whose family has owned the structure for 3 generations, has decided to make it greener. The bulbs that lit it up back then were removed for safety reasons, but it looks like the ride will get a second chance to light up the night with the installation of solar panels on the tops its 16 cars. The wheel will have a battery to save the sunlight during the day to light it up at night.
(Thanks to Mike Wrathell for image.)
Via NY Daily News
February 25, 2010
CIT Develops Nanorod Solar Cells
The California Institute of Technology in Pasadena is using an existing technique that assembles nanowires on a surface to develop silicon nanorod solar cells that can be assembled in a "carpet" and embedded in a transparent polymer. The flexible cells use only about 1% of the material needed. Future applications would be inexpensive solar panels and clothing.
Via Nature
February 12, 2010
Solar Snob SOW: Suntech Power
The Chinese company Suntech Power Holdings has become the first company to come to the US and employ 70 local residents in Goodyear, Arizona. The plan is to use its solar electricity manufacturing technologies and equipment in cooperation with Arizona State University. The plant will produce 30MW power with a future expansion planned at 120MW. It will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs since solar panels will not need to be shipped in from overseas. We applaud the efforts and name Suntech our Site 'O the Week for not only building solar items but using same for the plant's power.
Via Suntech
February 8, 2010
Qatar's Eco-Friendly Convention Center
The Qatar National Convention Center is going up. The 177,000 sq. meter QNCC has 3,600 sq. meters of solar panels on its roof to supply about 12% of the power. Also included is LED lighting and wireless Internet access to cut down on paper usage. The center should be completed next year and will be able to house conventions, exhibitions, gala events, concerts, weddings and banquets.
Via Qatar Convention Center
January 27, 2010
Subscribe to Energy Matters and They Will Plant a Tree
If you would like to make a difference in helping the planet, subscribe to the Australian based Energy Matters newsletter, a free weekly source of information, and they will donate a tree in a place where it is needed. Their solar and wind experts have reported that it has already planted about 20,000 trees in the last 18 months in areas such as Africa, Asia, India, the Philippines and South America.
Via Energy Matters
January 21, 2010
German Company to Plant in Oregon
CentroSolar Group AG, a solar module manufacturer, will be building a manufacturing plant in Gresham, Oregon. The Germany based company recently received $4.7 million in federal tax credits but there are no details yet as to site or amount of jobs the project will provide.
Via Biz Journals
January 20, 2010
Sequim Installs Solar Panels on High School Roof
Sequim High School, in Sequim, Washington, has received a state grant for $25,000 to green up their roof. Bill Seabolt, a retired engineer who teaches the same at the school, is leading the project that installed 10 new solar panels on the roof. Excess power is to be sold back to the Clallam County Public Utility District grid. Having only spent $20,000 on the endeavor, the remainder was used to purchase an energy module with a solar array, wind-powered generator and fuel cells.
Seabolt righfully claims, "There's a lot more out there than auto shop. I'm trying to expand their horizons."
Via Peninsula Daily News
January 15, 2010
Solar Snob Site O' the Week - Sopogy
Sopogy, our SOW, stands on the forefront of solar technology. Their products use algorithms to follow the sun and harness its energy while leaving a minimal footprint. The SopoNova 4.0 is a solar collector that can produce a temperature as high as 392° F. SopoFlare is a solar system that is roof mounted. Utilizing a parabolic trough, the system follows the sun and can capture a heat of 150-250° F.
Via Sopogy
January 5, 2010
Clarence House to Go Green
Because Prince Charles was poo-pooed for going to the recent UN COP15 in his private jet, he has decided to make his residence a lot greener. He is planning on installing solar panels on the roof of Clarence House, his residence in the UK. Estimates say the conversion could cost as much as £150,000 (~$243,000) but that he could make up for the loss by 2021. Note that "officials" say that they will only install them if they "do not compromise the appearance." Yeah, that's a green comment.
Via Daily Mail
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