Novel breakthrough in solar harvesting technology

With the recent development of foldable mobile phone screens, research on foldable electronics has never been so intensive. One particularly useful application of the foldable technology is in solar panels. Current solar cells are restricted to rigid, flat panels, which are difficult to store in large numbers and integrate into everyday appliances, including phones, windows, Read more about Novel breakthrough in solar harvesting technology[…]

New nanocomposite material to increase solar cell efficiency

A new method for constructing special solar cells could significantly increase their efficiency. Not only are the cells made up of thin layers, they also consist of specifically arranged nanoblocks. This has been shown in a new study by an international research team led by the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), which was published in Read more about New nanocomposite material to increase solar cell efficiency[…]

A new smart technology that can help utility companies better serve communities

In a new study, researchers from Texas A&M University and industry have designed a smart technology that can help utility companies better serve communities affected by blackouts. The researchers said their single device works by improving energy delivery between home solar-power systems and the electrical grid. “Our innovation lets solar energy consumers be less dependent Read more about A new smart technology that can help utility companies better serve communities[…]

Renewable energy transition makes sense

Making the transition to a renewable energy future will have environmental and long-term economic benefits and is possible in terms of energy return on energy invested (EROI), UNSW Sydney researchers have found. Their research, published in the international journal Ecological Economics recently, disproves the claim that a transition to large-scale renewable energy technologies and systems will damage Read more about Renewable energy transition makes sense[…]

Approaches to end of life management for solar photovoltaic modules

Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have conducted the first global assessment into the most promising approaches to end-of-life management for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. PV modules have a 30-year lifespan. There is currently no plan for how to manage this at end of their lifespan. The volume of modules no longer needed Read more about Approaches to end of life management for solar photovoltaic modules[…]

Research opens path for new home solar technology

Solar cell researchers at the University of Sydney and University of New South Wales working with chemists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the United States have created a highly efficient and long-lasting solar-flow battery, which is a way to generate, store, and redeliver renewable electricity from the sun in one device. The new device Read more about Research opens path for new home solar technology[…]

Biosolar cells to produce more energy

By combining light-collecting and photosynthesis proteins of different types, more energy can be produced. Potential sources of renewable energy include protein complexes that are responsible for photosynthesis. However, their efficiency in technical applications still leaves much to be desired. For example, they cannot convert green light into energy. A research team from Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) Read more about Biosolar cells to produce more energy[…]

Renewable fuel from carbon dioxide with the aid of solar energy

Researchers at Linköping University, Sweden, are attempting to convert carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, to fuel using energy from sunlight. Recent results have shown that it is possible to use their technique to selectively produce methane, carbon monoxide or formic acid from carbon dioxide and water. The study has been published in ACS Nano. Plants convert Read more about Renewable fuel from carbon dioxide with the aid of solar energy[…]

Solar cell fabrication process speed up by 3D printing

Tests on new designs for next-gen solar cells can now be done in hours instead of days thanks to a new system built by scientists at Australia’s Monash University, incorporating 3D-printed key components. The machine can analyse 16 sample perovskite-based solar cells simultaneously, in parallel, dramatically speeding up the process. The invention means that the Read more about Solar cell fabrication process speed up by 3D printing[…]

World-first design optimises solar chimney for both energy saving and fire safety

A must-have in green building design, solar chimneys can slash energy costs up to 50%. Now research reveals they could also help save lives in a building fire. In a world-first, researchers designed a solar chimney optimised for both energy saving and fire safety, as part of the sustainable features of a new building in Read more about World-first design optimises solar chimney for both energy saving and fire safety[…]

solar energy

Increase the energy yield by using nanophotonic methods

It´s a pity – most photocatalysts have an absorption maximum outside the sunlight spectrum. But now scientists from the e-conversion cluster were able to significantly increase the energy yield by using nanophotonic methods. Photocatalysis allows to chemically store the energy from sunlight directly. One example is the splitting of water into oxygen and hydrogen – Read more about Increase the energy yield by using nanophotonic methods[…]

Imagine a truck tarp that can harvest the energy of sunlight!

With the help of new textile-based solar cells developed by Fraunhofer researchers, semitrailers could soon be producing the electricity needed to power cooling systems or other onboard equipment. In short, textile-based solar cells could soon be adding a whole new dimension to photovoltaics, complementing the use of conventional silicon-based solar cells. Solar panels on building Read more about Imagine a truck tarp that can harvest the energy of sunlight![…]