Climate Conditions Affect Solar Cell Performance More Than Expected Updated On Fri, Dec 29th, 2017 by Saurenergy Researchers have explored the convergence of two things, location and technology, to come up with a framework for predicting solar panel energy output. Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers can now predict how much energy solar cells will produce at any location worldwide. Surprisingly, they identified that two types of solar cells (silicon and cadmium telluride) […] Read more
Hydrogen Producing Floating Solar Cells Developed Updated On Tue, Dec 19th, 2017 by Saurenergy A novel photovoltaic-powered electrolysis device which can operate as a stand-alone platform that floats on open water is discovered by the researchers from Columbia University in the US. Floating solar cells competent of utilizing sun energy to produce hydrogen fuel from water have been developed by the scientists. Currently, NASA’s space program is using hydrogen […] Read more
What Solar Panels Do at Night? Updated On Fri, Dec 15th, 2017 by Saurenergy Sun is the prime source wherein solar panels efficiently convert sunlight into electricity. But why can’t solar panels gleefully generate electricity at night. Righto! The designing and technology of solar panels have been developed to work with sun. Few experts argue that Moonlight can be used to power PV cells at cost of 345:1. That […] Read more
Glass with Switchable Opacity Could Improve Solar Cells and LEDs Updated On Thu, Dec 14th, 2017 by Saurenergy Switchable glass available today is quite expensive because it uses transparent conducting layers to apply a voltage across the entire glass. Using nanoscale grass-like structures, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania have created glass that lets through a large amount of light while appearing hazy. This is the first time that glass has been […] Read more
HEEDING the Call for CYBER SECURITY in Renewable Energy Updated On Mon, Dec 11th, 2017 by Saurenergy This is a challenge, but even more so, it is an opportunity to advance the collective technologies towards the attainment of solar cyber security worldwide. In 2012, a computer virus, dubbed Stuxnet, disabled 1000 of Iran’s 5000 centrifuges, detailing a joint US-Israel cyber security attack on Iran that undermined its nuclear enrichment facilities. In 2014, Unit […] Read more
Solar Power Boosts Agricultural Efficiency By 60%, Proves German Project Updated On Fri, Dec 1st, 2017 by Saurenergy The outcome of the project turned out to be a huge success as it proved that combining solar power with agriculture increases efficiency by up to 60 percent. Has solar power really boost agricultural production and efficiency of land use? The question has remained in news for a long time. Finally, Germany actually took the […] Read more
Improving Solar Cells by Watching Atoms Move in Hybrid Perovskite Crystals Updated On Tue, Nov 28th, 2017 by Saurenergy Hybrid perovskites are promising materials for making next-generation solar cells because they are inexpensive to manufacture and are considerably efficient at converting light to electricity. A team of researchers led by the University of California San Diego has for the first time observed nanoscale changes deep inside hybrid perovskite crystals that could offer new insights […] Read more
NREL Develops Switchable Solar Window Updated On Tue, Nov 28th, 2017 by Saurenergy Demonstration device dynamically responds to sunlight by transforming from transparent to tinted while converting sunlight into electricity. Thermochromic windows capable of converting sunlight into electricity at a high efficiency have been developed by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Relying on such advanced materials as perovskites and single-walled carbon […] Read more
Glass Microparticles Enhance Solar Cells Efficiency Updated On Mon, Nov 27th, 2017 by Saurenergy When it comes to manufacturing solar cells, it is crucial to find ways to diminish light reflection from cells and avoid transparent electrode overheating, which prevents solar cells from working properly. Scientists from ITMO University suggested a new solar cell coating that combines features of an electrode and those of a light-trapping structure. The coating […] Read more