Researchers are hoping to achieve higher solar cell efficiency involves using special coatings on solar cells that split light into colors like blue and red, which scientists estimate will increase efficiency by 50 percent.
It’s In the Cut: Utah Students Develop Viability of Germanium for Solar Cells
March 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
If you’ve been into outer space lately, you may have seen some germanium-based solar cells. They’re primarily used on NASA spacecrafts. For the few who haven’t, then you may not be aware of germanium at all. That’s because, as a solar cell material, germanium is far too expensive. Or is it?
Germanium is an efficient semiconductor. However, as a material it is very brittle and, subsequently, difficult to cut thin, with a significant amount of material wasted in the cutting. In what could have major repercussions for the solar industry, University of Utah students have developed a new way of cutting germanium into thin wafers for solar cell production. Using a tiny molybdenum wire with an electrical current running through it, the students can cut thin, round wafers of germanium from cylindrical ingots. This, they say, could greatly reduce the cost of germanium as a cell material and make it a viable option for solar manufacturing on Earth. (more…)
It’s In the Cut: Utah Students Develop Viability of Germanium for Solar Cells
Scientists Go Public about Infrared Solar Energy
March 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Solar panels, both conventional PV and even third-generation, organic solar cells, absorb visible and, in some cases, ultra-violet light. All of these technologies are limited by shading, rainy days, and nightfall. Basically, photovoltaics, both the old and the new, collect direct sunlight. But what, researchers are asking, about indirect light?
Indirect light reflects, in the form of heat, off of buildings during the day and at night. This infrared energy is not limited to solar energy either. Energy radiating from machines and electronic devices could also be collected and recycled into usable electricity. Sound pretty radical? Well it is, and some very complex science at that. Nonetheless, scientists are becoming confident enough in the feasibility of infrared solar technology that they are going public and getting excited about it. (more…)
Solar Cylinders?
February 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Proving that there is no lack of creativity in the solar industry, Solaroad Group has come up with a radical space-saving design for solar panels. What they dub the ElectraWall is a cylinder-shaped solar cell that can be clipped onto any number of surfaces including walls, poles, or rooftops. Using, of course, cylindrical solar cells, ElectraWall panels have a variety of proposed benefits. These include no need for direct sunlight, easy installation, and built-in battery storage. They’re also made with a good proportion of recycled materials. (more…)
Permasteelisa and Nextgeneration Solar Cells
February 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Permasteelisa is a designer, producer and installer of “architectural envelopes” it states on it’s site. The type of company that surrounds buildings and installs office walls, furnishings, etc.. They are getting into nextgeneration solar panels through their participation in new technology that will allow producing solar panels without silicone.
The next 4 years will see the development of “organic” photovoltaic cells. They will also start-up an industrial production line of DSSC panels (Dye Sensitized Solar Cells). This innovative technology utilizes light-sensitive organic pigments and nanotechnology to generate electricity. These new organic cells will be more versatile and enable builders to integrate them vertically into the sides of tall skyscrapers. In addition to being less sensitive to the angle of solar radiation they are also transparent and may use different colors. All this makes for more pleasant visual solar cell integraton on the exterior of buildings.
The Universities of Rome Tor Vergata, Ferrara and Turin will be research partners in the project. The Australia company Dyesol will also be involved, through its subsidiary Dyesol Italia, leader in the sector for the supply of materials and technologies.
Making the visual aspect of solar cells/panels much more pleasing to the eye will do it’s part in overcoming the arguments of the anti-solar naysayers.
Neo Solar Seals 7-Year Deal with REC
February 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Neo Solar Power (NSP), a manufacturer of solar cells, announced that it has sealed a 7-year wafer supply contract with REC ScanWafer AS. Under the contract, REC will provide NSP with solar wafers for the period from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2015.
Fraunhofer ISE Researchers Achieve 39.7% Solar Cell Efficiency
February 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
At 39.7% efficiency for a multijunction solar cell, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg have exceeded their own efficiency record of 37.6%, which they achieved in July of this year. The result was reached using multijunction solar cells made out of III-V semiconductors. III-V semiconductor multijunction solar cells are used in concentrating photovoltaic (PV) technology for solar power stations.
Fraunhofer ISE Researchers Achieve 39.7% Solar Cell Efficiency
BioSolar Reveals Cotton & Castor Beans Behind its Solar Technology
February 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
BioSolar Inc. revealed at the SPIE Symposium on Solar Applications and Energy earlier this month that materials derived from cotton and castor beans compose the company’s BioBacksheet. The backsheet is a protective covering, traditionally made from petroleum-based film, used in the back of virtually all photovoltaic solar cells.
BioSolar Reveals Cotton & Castor Beans Behind its Solar Technology
New European Record Efficiency For Solar Cells Achieved: 39.7%
January 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
At 39.7% efficiency for a multi-junction solar cell, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems have exceeded their own European record of 37.6% which they achieved just a short time ago. III-V semiconductor multi-junction solar cells are used in photovoltaic concentrator technology for solar power stations.
New European Record Efficiency For Solar Cells Achieved: 39.7%
12-Year-Old Transforms the 3-D Solar Cell
January 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Amazingly, a 12-year-old from Portland, OR has facilitated the latest in solar industry headlines. William Yuan, a seventh grader, has researched and revolutionized the three-dimensional solar cell. First invented by scientists at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, this new generation of solar cells can absorb both UV and visible light, possibly improving cell efficiency dramatically.
Yuan, as part of the craziest homework assignment I’ve ever heard of, researched and developed his own version of the 3-D solar cell. Typical solar cells are flat and can only absorb visible light. The 3-D solar cell, however, greatly improves absorption by collecting UV rays as well. There is no doubt that young Yuan has found himself a spot on the cutting edge of solar technology and research. He earned himself a $25,000 scholarship and a trip to the Library of Congress for his efforts. (more…)
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