Solar cell phones have been gradually hitting the market over the past year. But the most popular phone, Apple’s iPhone may soon take solar cell phones mainstream. Many have been wondering, is a solar iPhone in the works, after discovering that Apple won a patent related to use of solar power in mobile devices. Although [...]
One of the biggest hurdles to widespread adoption of solar power as an energy resource is solar cell efficiency. That, plus the relatively high cost of solar, means that we currently generate less than 1% of all electricity from solar power. HyperSolar, based in Santa Barbara, California has developed a patent-pending solar technology to effectively [...]
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Over the past 3 years, the price of solar panels has dropped dramatically – in some cases by 2/3 of the original cost. Yet, with use of new technology, could solar panels be even more affordable? Researchers are studying the potential replacement of expensive silicon used in PV panels with a new, less expensive form [...]
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The state of Oregon, on the West Coast of the United States, will soon be the home of another new solar cell manufacturing plant. Last week, SoloPower announced that it will manufacture its flexible thin film solar cells at a new facility in Wilsonville, just 20 minutes south of Portland. Certainly this news will add [...]
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Breakthrough solar research and development from Silicon Solar Solutions, an Arkansas-based research firm will be featured at the prestigious Cleantech Open business competition. Solar technology developed by Silicon Solar Solutions eliminates processing steps and materials needed to create photovoltaic solar cells. As a result, the new technology could reduce PV panel costs by 42 cents [...]
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Looking for solar powered gadgets this holiday season? New from Logitech is a solar powered computer keyboard, developed with tiny solar panels. You can charge up your PC keyboard simply by placing it near a window to absorb solar energy. In fact, the solar powered computer keyboard can be used indoors or outdoors. Its slim [...]
When you think of jellyfish, what comes to mind? Renewable energy? Probably not, but researchers have discovered a way to get solar power from jellyfish. Jellyfish are some of the Earth’s most ancient organisms – even older than sharks. Floating through the oceans without any internal organs, the creatures can reach sizes of more than [...]
Most photovoltaic solar cells can only hope to achieve about 15-20% efficiency. Much of the solar energy that strikes the cells is either reflected away or lost as heat energy. But solar collectors at Kalahari Greentech have achieved 74% efficiency. The energy company that specializes in solar technology and wind energy research had its solar [...]
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Demonstrating the creative genius that is often present in solar technology, researchers have discovered a way to pull solar power from pokeberries (also known as pokeweed). More precisely, a red dye that comes from the berries can be used to coat fiber-based solar cells. The dye absorbs and traps sunlight, allowing for a greater conversion [...]
