University Research
Nanotechnology Keeps Lights On in Off-Grid Countries
23 June 2011POSTED IN Applications News
At The Economist Conferences UK Energy Summit today, the CEO of Eight19, Simon Bransfield Garth, explained how printed-plastic PV technology will use nanotechnologies to keep the lights on for those currently off-grid in developing countries.
Solar Thermal Research Facility Opens in Australia
19 June 2011POSTED IN Research
A new solar thermal research facility in Newcastle, Australia, was officially opened by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson and Member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson on June 18.
Soitec, Schneider Electric Partner on CPV in Morocco
16 June 2011POSTED IN Business News
Soitec, a manufacturer of semiconductor materials for the electronics and energy industries, and Schneider Electric, a specialist in energy management, today announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding with Masen (Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy), lead player in the Moroccan Solar Plan, on an integrated partnership on Concentrix technology in Morocco.
World's Solar Experts Convene in Seattle for 37th IEEE PVSC
15 June 2011POSTED IN Applications News
The Organising Committee of the 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), the solar industry's longest running global gathering of leading photovoltaics (PV) scientists and engineers, today announced its final program for the June 19-24 event taking place at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Washington.
Waste Heat into Electricity
11 June 2011POSTED IN Research
Engineers at Oregon State University have completed a prototype system that can that can capture and use the low-to-medium grade waste heat.
Dr. John A. Rogers Awarded $500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize
14 June 2011POSTED IN Applications News
Proving that technological entrepreneurship can have a groundbreaking impact when inventive concepts are stretched across disparate fields, renowned innovator, materials scientist and applied physicist Dr. John A. Rogers was announced today as the recipient of the 2011 $500,000 (USD) Lemelson-MIT Prize for Health and Energy Innovations.
Cheaper Batteries for the Grid Based on Sodium Ions
11 June 2011POSTED IN Research
Researchers from the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and visiting researchers from Wuhan University in China have developed a method that improves the electrical capacity and recharging lifetime of sodium ion rechargeable batteries, which could be a cheaper alternative for large-scale uses such as storing energy on the electrical grid.
MIT’s ‘Artificial Leaf’ for Solar Water Splitting Moves Forward
09 June 2011POSTED IN Research
An important step toward realizing an inexpensive and simple “artificial leaf” for harnessing sunlight through water splitting has been accomplished by two separate research teams at MIT.
High-Efficiency CIGS Thin Film Solar Cell
05 June 2011POSTED IN Research
Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong have developed Cu(InGa)Se2 (CIGS) thin film solar cells with high efficiency and that can be made inexpensively.
SOLAR NOVUS TODAY Reader Survey Sweepstakes Official Rules
03 June 20111. ELIGIBILITY: THE SOLAR NOVUS TODAY READER SURVEY SWEEPSTAKES (the “Contest”) is open only to adults who are 21 years of age or older. All employees of Novus Media Today, Inc., their affiliates, suppliers, sales representatives, distributors, licensees or agents (all of the foregoing, together with Sponsor, collectively referred to as “Contest Entities”), and their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses) and those living in the same household of each (whether related or not), are ineligible to participate in the Contest. All applicable federal, country, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Entry in the Contest constitutes participant’s full and unconditional acceptance of these Official Rules. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE PARTICIPANT’S CHANCES OF WINNING.
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National Grid Helps Fund Green Energy Initiative at UAlbany NanoCollege
03 June 2011POSTED IN Applications News
National Grid, an international energy delivery company, today presented a $225,000 Renewable Energy and Economic Development grant to the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) of the University at Albany in New York.
New Center will Boost the Lifetime of Solar Power Plants
01 June 2011POSTED IN Research
The Ohio Third Frontier Commission has recommended that a $2.88 million grant be awarded to Case Western Reserve University to work with industry in improving the productive lifetime of solar energy technologies, energy-efficient lighting, roofing, building exteriors and more.
Magnum PV Partners with Schmid Technology on Solar Manufacturing in Ontario
31 May 2011POSTED IN Applications News
Magnum Pv will begin production of high-efficiency solar photovoltaic (PV) modules on its state-of-the art manufacturing line developed by German solar technology giant Schmid Technology Systems GmbH.
Hydrogen from Ethanol and Sunlight
29 May 2011POSTED IN Research
In a step toward using hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels, researchers from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in Barcelona, the University of Aberdeen in the UK, and the University of Auckland in New Zealand have used ethanol and sunlight to generate hydrogen.
A Cheaper, Greener Material for Supercapacitors
24 May 2011POSTED IN Research
Students at Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey are developing supercapacitors that use electrodes made of the green and inexpensive material biochar.
Solar Energy Intermittency: Grid operator’s nightmare?
18 May 2011POSTED IN Editors Blogs
Grid operators are always busy forecasting and matching the supply from the generators to the demand from consumers. Over a day, the demand profile of a typical city grid goes from a low base load (mostly at night time) to a high peak demand (mostly during office hours). Supply is managed by “dispatching” generating assets i.e., making them run harder during peak load demand.
Amonix Completes Concentrated PV Manufacturing Plant in Nevada
18 May 2011POSTED IN Business News
Amonix, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar power systems, completed the manufacturing ramp-up of its 214,000 square foot manufacturing facility on North Pecos Road in North Las Vegas.
eIQ Energy Joins Canadian Research Initiative: To study weather effect on solar PV
16 May 2011POSTED IN Research
Researchers at the Open Solar Outdoors Test Field (OSOTF), a Canadian research initiative that will create open-source data on real-world performance of a PV array under varying weather conditions, have recently been joined by a new industry partner, eIQ Energy.
Photosynthesis versus Photovoltaics
14 May 2011POSTED IN Research
A review article published in Science has taken a look a answering the question of whether plants or solar cells are more efficient at harvesting the sun's energy.
Calling All Young (Solar) Einsteins
12 May 2011POSTED IN Applications News
Young scientists in fields related to solar photovoltaics – systems technology, nanotechnology, general energy technology, crystallography and engineering subjects – have about a month left to submit their research in this year's sixth annual staging of the competition for a chance to win the SolarWorld Junior Einstein award trophy, 5,000 euros and professional recognition.
