Green Technology

... "The trick lies in IBM's ability to cool the tiny solar cell. Concentrating the equivalent of 2000 suns on such a small area generates enough heat to melt stainless steel, something the researchers experienced first hand in their experiments. But by borrowing innovations from its own R&D in cooling computer chips, the team was able to cool the solar cell from greater than 1600 degrees Celsius to just 85 degrees Celsius. " ...

Continue reading "Liquid Metal Solar Photovoltaic Concentrator" »

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California based Bio Solar has a different slant on making solar cells ... rather than focusing on improving the efficiency they focus on reducing the cost and using non petroleum based materials.

Read on for more ... >>> 

" ...developed a breakthrough technology to produce bio-based materials from renewable plant sources that will reduce the cost per watt of solar cells. ... is the first company to introduce a new dimension of cost reduction by replacing petroleum-based plastic solar cell components with durable bio-based components."

"... BioSolar materials can be used directly in conventional manufacturing systems, such as injection molding and thin-film roll-to-roll, to create superstrate layer, substrate layer, backsheet as well as module and panel components."

" ... using crystalline silicon, amorphous silicon or other solar technologies, BioSolar can help reduce the cost per watt through the use of its lower cost bio-based materials."

"By removing petroleum from solar cells, BioSolar makes solar energy a true green source of energy."

Via:  Bio Solar   Link

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Nokia has an intersting "concept" phone that incorporates some green thinking ...

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" ... two parts – a wearable sensor unit which can sense and analyze your environment, health, and local weather conditions, and a dedicated mobile phone. "

"... sensor ... made from solar cells that provide power to the sensors. ..."

" ...phone and the sensor unit will be as compact as possible to minimize material use, and those materials used in the design will be renewable and/or reclaimed. Technologies used inside the phone and sensor unit will also help save energy."

Via:  Nokia   Link

Continue reading "Nokia Eco Sensor Concept Phone -- Looking Green!" »

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Iqua has created and marketed the first Solar powered Bluetooth Headset.

" ... first solar-powered Bluetooth headset in the world. ... has got a photovoltaic cell that uses any available light - outdoors and indoors - to charge itself and extend the operation times of the headset ..."

" ... Iqua SUN to be selected as an “Innovations 2008 Design and Engineering Award” honoree in the Wireless Handsets Accessories product category. ..."

Via:  Iqua.com   Link 

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... "The University now buys 10 percent of its electrical power from renewable sources - mostly wind and biogas energy - through the Wisconsin Public Service Corporation's NatureWise program. Mary Ann Cofrin Hall on campus also uses solar power to generate electricity for the building and incorporates other energy-saving technologies. Special roofing materials and a thin film of photovoltaic material in the glass of the Wintergarden Atrium produce the electricity. " ...

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... "Designed to address the complex issues surrounding large or utility-scale power projects, eSolar’s distributed solar thermal plants achieve economies of scale at 33 MW, and are modularly scaled to fit the needs of large and small utilities. eSolar has replaced expensive steel, concrete, and brute force with inexpensive computing power and elegant algorithms. Centering on eSolar’s 33 MW pre-fab form-factor, the company’s modular design translates to minimal land requirements. The company’s solar power plant solutions are tailored to fit local resources and produce a low environmental footprint, favoring a straightforward siting and permitting process. eSolar has secured land rights in the southwest United States to support the production and transmission of over 1 GW of power. eSolar will have a fully operational power plant later this year in southern California. " ...

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... "The Department of Energy’s SAI program, which took form at the request of President George W. Bush, aims to make solar energy cost-competitive with more conventional forms of electricity. The program has the goal of bringing solar energy’s price down to the 5 cents to 10 cents per kilowatt-hour range by 2015. The ASU grant is one of 11 awarded to university-industry teams in this round of funding. " ...

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... "The Pitt team found that the hollow, soccer-ball-shaped carbon molecules known as fullerenes can hold and transfer an electrical charge much like the most highly conductive atoms, explained project head Hrvoje Petek, a professor of physics and chemistry in Pitt's School of Arts and Sciences and codirector of Pitt's Petersen Institute for NanoScience and Engineering. The research was performed by Pitt post-doctoral associates Min Feng and Jin Zhao. When an electron was introduced into a fullerene molecule, the shape of the electron distribution mimicked that of a hydrogen atom or an atom from the alkali metal group, which includes lithium, sodium, and potassium. Moreover, when two fullerenes were placed next to each other on a copper surface, they showed the electron distribution of their chemical bond and appeared as H2, a hydrogen molecule. The assembly exhibited metal-like conductivity when the team extended it to a wire 1-molecule-wide. " ...

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Farm-Way of Bradford, Vermont is a family business - family owned and operated. 

They have also decided to make an investment in solar panels.  "Farm-Way and Vermont Gear have pledged over $400,000 in solar panels to “ Gro Solar” company in White River Jct Vermont. We will be generating approximately 60 KW of power, which is equivalent to 43% of our electrical power consumption. ..."

" ... our system will allow our local electrical service to avoid 76,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year ,  ... reductions from the utility power annually of NOX @ 84 pounds  and sulfur dioxide @200 pounds."

" ... will ... monitor at our entryway and also linking our web site to the data and output information in real time,  ... continually updated views of the systems output and easily understood information on the benefits of solar."
 

Via:  EcoWorks - Vermont Gear Link

Continue reading "Vermont's Farm-Way goes "Solar"" »

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... "It is a power tower, a little bit like a water tank on stilts surrounded by hundreds of mirrors that tilt on two axes, one to follow the sun across the sky in the course of the day and the other in the course of the year. In the tower and in a tank below are tens of thousands of gallons of molten salt that can be heated to very high temperatures and not reach high pressure. " ...

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... "California's solar energy market grew more than 57 percent last year, and is expected to grow at an even higher rate in 2008. With its acquisition of a geographically desirable company, PermaCity is positioning itself to better serve the Southern California market. PermaCity Solar, Inc. is a leading system developer and integrator of state-or-the-art photovoltaic systems specializing in high-quality, long life performance." ...

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... "Hoku Solar had previously completed the installation of two turnkey PV power systems for Paradise Beverages at its Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii, and Lihue, Kauai, facilities. Paradise Beverages is the Hawaii distributor for Heineken, Coors and Miller products, and it consumes a significant amount of electricity to operate its refrigerated and temperature-controlled warehouses. Upon completion of the Oahu facility installation, the aggregate of all three PV power systems for Paradise Beverages includes 350 kilowatts of PV panels, which are expected to produce over 525,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. " ...

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... "During her PhD, Annemarie Huijser attempted a partial recreation in solar cells of this process as found in plants. She focused on what are known as dye-sensitised solar cells. These comprise a semiconductor, such as titanium dioxide, covered with a layer of dye. The dye absorbs energy from sunlight, which creates what are known as excitons. These energy parcels then need to move towards to the semiconductor. Once there, they generate electric power. " ...

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... "Yes! Solar Solutions has taken an innovative retail approach to making PV solar energy more accessible to homeowners and businesses. As the Company continues to roll out its franchise plan, it will seek to centrally locate additional retail franchise operations within communities where economic factors, like higher energy costs, make solar power alternatives attractive. Like the Roseville, California store, future Yes! energy outlets will be designed to educate consumers and businesses on the economic and environmental benefits of solar power and provide solutions that will help them reduce their electricity costs. " ...

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... "Beefed-up state and federal incentives make building solar almost irresistible. A business can recoup an investment in a million-dollar array in five years, then post thousands of dollars annually in electricity savings. " ...

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... "A recent study showed that the solar heating systems operating since 2005 at Tal-Ftieh each saved an average of 1,850 kWh of energy and 1.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, excluding summer. " ...

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... "Solar photovoltaic panels generate more power on summer afternoons when the sun is shining most intensely, which is also when the value of electricity is higher for most U.S. electricity systems, Borenstein noted. " ...

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" ... toward the goal of creating a building that functions like a home and serves as a laboratory ... will provide an exemplary model and testing environment of an improved approach to home life while specifically improving the lives of the individuals inhabiting the house."

The sSmart House will focus research on 5 Areas:

• "Environment ... decrease the environmental footprint ...implement sustainable and environmentally friendly products"
• "Energy ... investigate alternative energy sources, such as solar and geothermal, ... ultimate goal is to generate all energy on site.
  
• "Interaction ... addressing the way in which people interact with technology ... to create an intelligent and aware living environment. "
• "Health ... Indoor air quality ... will be incorporated into the Smart House. "
• "Lifestyle ... increase the efficiency of our day-to-day living. ... more efficient living and work spaces..."

Via:  Drexel University SmartHouse  Link

Continue reading "Drexel University Smart Home" »

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Seeking to show that they can be both innovative and integrate traditional practices ... Abu Dhabi is planning aGREEN city in the desert.

" ... six square kilometres plans to achieve zero carbon dioxide emissions and zero waste ..."

" ... completion by late 2009, ... part of a series of projects adopted by the emirate recently to curb the greenhouse gas effect on the climate."

Abu Dhabi also plans a 100-megawatt solar power plant. ... expandable to 500 mega-watts, with a target to generate enough power for 500,000 households ..."

Via:  Gulf News   Link

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 Solar panels are becoming more common; almost mainstream.

  What is now needed is a way to boost the efficiency or redue the manufacturing cost.

"Nanosolar is a global leader in solar power innovation. ...  setting the standard for affordable green power with solar cell technology of distinctly superior cost efficiency, versatility, and availability."

"Leveraging ... nanostructured materials, we have developed a critical mass of engineering advances that profoundly change the cost efficiency and production scalability of solar electricity cells and panels."

Via:  Nanosolar.com   Link

Continue reading "Nanosolar" »

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... "First Solar Inc., a Phoenix-based solar module manufacturer with a design center in Ohio and a big manufacturing plant in Germany, announced spectacular quarterly numbers. " ...

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... "This year’s teams have been selected from universities in the United States, Canada, and Germany and each team will receive $100,000 from DOE to uniquely design, build and operate an energy efficient, fully solar-powered home for this unique competition. Each home will utilize energy efficient technology and demonstrate that homes powered entirely by the sun do not have to sacrifice all the modern comforts and aesthetics Americans are accustomed to. The Department's Solar Decathlon complements the President's Solar America Initiative, which seeks to make solar power cost-competitive with conventional forms of electricity by 2015. " ...

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Investments in Berlin research park are positioned to pay off as solar technology benefits from a strong collaboration between industry, academia, and research centers.  ...

...   "Lips said Adlershof is a solar scientist's paradise, due to the close proximity of research and industry, and the unique, open dialogue and collaboration that exists between the two. "   ... 

Via Deutsche Welle: Solar Tech Berlin

Adlershof Germany

Hahn-Meitner Institute: "The Hahn-Meitner Institute (HMI) is a scientific research institute which focuses on two main areas of work: structural and solar energy research. "

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... "Thin film is cheaper to produce, more durable and less unsightly than bulky solar panels, which are often called eyesores. The transparent sheets can serve as facades for skyscrapers and house roofs, where they turn sunshine into energy." ...

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... "The Eni-MITEI Solar Frontiers Research Program will include six areas of focus: Nano-structured thin film photovoltaics; Luminescent solar concentrators; Self-assembling photovoltaic materials; Water splitting; Materials for solar energy capture and storage; Maximizing the return on investment for solar thermal plants; " ...

Continue reading "Collaborative Solar Technology Research Program Targets Advanced Capabilities" »

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