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Posts tagged solar energy
Talk about a renewable energy source
Sep 7th
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have created miniscule solar cells that have the ability to repair themselves. These cells are just billionths of a meter across but could be able to extend their own lifetime.
Sustainability: Sanyo’s Solar Ark
Aug 12th
How do you get everyone’s attention towards what solar energy has in store for us? By building an “Ark” of course. Sanyo’s done that with its Solar Ark – a really big building in Japan intended to educate people about their relationship with this planet. The Ark is constructed over an area of about 3300 sq. meters and spans 315 meter.
The Ark is covered with 5046 solar panels over 7500 sq. meters of surface area. Thats a lot of energy! Every year the money equivalent of electricity costs to support the building if run by conventional sources is funded by Sanyo to keep the Sanyo Environmental Fund going. Sanyo Environmental Fund is used to fund conservation activities. Apart from generating about 530,000 KWHr of electricity, the building also reduces carbon emissions by 167 tons and saves about 120,000 liters of petroleum a year. Images after the break.
Ideabing Daily Roundup: Solar Energy Edition
Jul 24th
Video: Eradicating Poverty With Solar Energy Forget Solar Panels. Solar Balloons Are Here!
Forget Solar Panels. Solar Balloons Are Here!
Jul 24th
Now getting a watt of energy out of a solar panel is one. How about getting 400 watts of output? Yup, a company called Cool Earth Solar is making solar balloons that can harvest 400 times the energy compared to conventional solar cells. These “solar concentrators” focus energy using the curved shape of the balloon on to a solar cell. What this means is that a lot more sunlight gets concentrated on to a solar cell compared to regular solar power plants. The balloon is made out of cheap or even free materials like plastic, aluminium and filled with regular air. Now lets start creating megawatts of energy alright? Image of the balloon after the break.
Video: Eradicating Poverty With Solar Energy
Jul 24th
Yes, its free energy but how does it get rid of poverty? In remote Guatemala where electricity is too precious to be spent on electrifying villages the nights are dark. Dark means no economic activity or too much spending on candles or fuel to keep the light burning through the night. Solar energy is set to change all that in rural Guatemala. A small solar panel costing $200 is transforming lives by providing light at night so that economic activity stays afloat in the dark. Video of the magic after the break.
Capturing the Sun at Colorado State University
Jul 16th
As the fourth project between Colorado State University and solar installer Bella Energy, the new 132.5 Kilowatt solar energy system atop the Lake Street Parking Garage represents a critical step towards creating a net zero-energy campus.
Solar Powered Plane Gets Ready For Night Flight
Jul 5th
It’s one thing to fly a solar plane in the sun and it’s another flying it in the night (no, sun!). Solar Impulse, the solar plane is getting all ready to make it’s first night flight. Since the flight is solely based on solar power, it is necessary for Solar Impulse to complete an overnight flight. If you’re gunning to sell solar flying technology to the future of flight, you better fly through the night. This flight will take us a step closer toward truly clean, emission free flying. Images of Solar Impulse after the break.
A Weird Vending Machine
Jun 25th
Japanese have their way with things, be it technology, or even porn. Hitachi has now shown off a solar powered vending machine that’s quite different. Apart from of course, the solar panels that run the machine, a whole lot of moss covers the borders of the vending machine to insulate it during cold Japanese winters.
DuPont Opens North American Photovoltaic Research Facility
Jun 9th
DuPont opened a North American photovoltaic applications lab at its Chestnut Run facility in Wilmington to support materials development for the fast-growing photovoltaic solar energy market. Over 55 representatives from the photovoltaic industry joined DuPont Chair and CEO Ellen Kullman, David B. Miller, president – DuPont Electronics & Communications, and Delaware Gov. Jack Markell and other government leaders for
Schneider Electric Launches MiCST Collaborative Project
Jun 8th
Schneider Electric announces today the launch of the MiCST collaborative project, aiming to generate electricity produced by solar energy through an innovative process, in partnership with 11 French organisations. The MiCST project consists in designing and manufacturing an innovative solar plant, using sunlight to heat an energy supply powering a thermodynamic machine able to drive
