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After a series of studies and a plethora of research, the bright minds at Cornell University have discovered a simpler and more efficient way to create solar cells. Surprisingly enough, they found the solution in an everyday pair of blue jeans.
Yes, that’s right. Jeans.

The molecules found in jeans and various other ink dyes can actually be used to create a structure called COF, or covalent organic framework. These in turn can help make solar cells far cheaper and more flexible than those made from other molecules.

Phthalocyanines, aka common industrial dyes, have a similar structure to chlorophyll and can absorb nearly the entire solar spectrum. The process puts these molecules together in a two-dimensional sheet, which are then stacked on top of one another in order to open up a pathway for a charge.

While the research has thus far only led to the structure for a solar cell and not the cell itself, researchers believe that they will eventually use the model to create actual solar cells. Clearly, they’re on to something here.

Source: TreeHugger
Photo Credit: aphasiafilms & Photos8

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Pokeberry, a purple berry used as a ink of pens by United States Civil War soldiers to write letters home. These weeds are being used for a far more modern purpose. Now it could be used to advance solar power in poor rural areas. These berries have the quality to grow rapidly no matter what the season and conditions are whether it is drought, rocky or infertile soil.

By squeezing juice from a berry might help us squeeze more converted energy from the sun. The pokeberry’s pigment or dye acts like an absorber when it is applied to fiber-based solar cells. It helps cell’s fibers to capture more sunlight and change it into power. . As the berries are weed and they has the ability to grow on every continent except Antarctica.

This process is done by coating titanium oxide nanocrystals with light-absorbing dye molecules and light strikes the dye, electrons are freed. This process creates areas of positive charge as electrons are lost and a titanium oxide particle which is a semi-conductor has the capacity to collect the electrons to an external circuit, producing an electric current. Plastic sheets are embossed with plastic fibers; making millions of tiny ‘cans’ which catch light until it is absorbed. The fibers create a huge surface area, means that sunlight can be collected at any angle from the time the sun rises until it sets.

The newly developed cells are less expensive and these fiber-based cells can generate double power which means better energy efficiency as compared to present flat cells technology. It is expected that these less expensive cells combined with another local plant will help us to produce cheap electricity to developing nations. This system could create an inexpensive and environmentally friendly method of providing electricity as the basic material used is an abundant, non-toxic, mineral i-e, titanium dioxide and is commonly used in pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, cosmetics, etc.

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Blue-green may be the color of tomorrow’s solar cell — a solar cell made without toxic materials that converts solar energy directly into electricity without emitting a single molecule of carbon dioxide. It turns out that cyanobacteria is very good at channeling solar energy into the biosphere. And by intercepting some of that energy, researchers at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) believe they can create solar electricity in a self-sustaining manner.

Cyanobacteria, which you may hear referred to as blue-green algae or blue-green bacteria, has natural electrogenic tendencies. That is, blue-green bacteria are naturally light-dependent, meaning that they inherently generate and transfer high-energy electrons into their environment when exposed to light. The microscopic organisms collectively store an estimated 25 giga-tons of carbon dioxide per year and are responsible for 20 to 30 percent of all photosynthetic activity on Earth. In other words, we have some powerful carbon-eating solar cells growing all around us.

Cyanobacteria exist in all environments, from the very hospitable to the unimaginable, from the heat of the Sahara desert to frozen Antarctica. Many different species exist. The solar energy they harness globally is upwards of 25 times the energy consumed by humans.

They harness that solar energy to drive photosynthesis, using it to split water molecules into oxygen, protons and electrons. The cyanobacteria use most of the electrons they create for their own purposes, but a small amount is released to the external environment. UMB researchers managed to develop what they call a photosynthetic microbial fuel cell (PMFC), which is both a growth chamber for the cyanobacteria and an electron harvester that collects that excess electricity released during photosynthesis.

Inside the PMFC, the bacteria grow directly on top of an anode, or conductive surface. When exposed to light, they emit electrons directly onto the anode, which can be collected for use by researchers. The process is much like that of any solar cell in existence, but instead of light striking a semiconductor (typically made from some metallic element, such as silicon, cadmium, indium, etc.), it strikes the bacteria, which require no energy to mine, refine or process.

For years now, solar researchers and scientists have been working to mimic photosynthesis in solar cell production, studying everything from sea slugs to fruit dyes.

Ilia Baskakov, associate professor at UMB’s Center for Biomedical Engineering, predicted that “in the future, the newly discovered physiological activity of cyanobacteria could be utilized for generating green electricity in a fully self-sustainable, CO2-free manner in the absence of any additional organic material.”

Could the fourth generation of solar cells be living solar cells?

Source: sify news Image: Wikipedia

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Rapid changes in the solar power sector are fueling a green energy revolution.  With so much emphasis on solving the global warming puzzle, technology in solar is advancing very quickly and may be the answer we’ve been looking for.  Let’s take a look at how this industry is changing so quickly.

1. Solar Panel Prices Are Coming Down – And Fast

The biggest detractor for solar in the past has been simple: it was just too expensive to be practical.  Coal generated power was as much as 90% cheaper than solar power.  But with the massive investment in production capacity, coupled with the global economic slowdown, prices on solar panels have come down anywhere from 10%-30% in the last 6 months.  This means that many projects that were borderline before are now feasible.  And the trend appears to be gaining steam.  Prices on Sharp solar panels, for instance, have been lowered 3 times since May, bringing their cost into the $4/watt range.  Just last year they were closer to $5/watt.

2. Solar Film Will Drive Prices Even Lower

Companies such as FirstSolar, Nanosolar, and Sharp are quickly bringing solar film, also called thin-film solar, to market.  We’ve been promised this amazing technology for years and it seems its finally here.  Thin film is manufactured in a way that is similar to printing, and the product often comes in a roll.  This is a much more efficient way of producing cells than the traditional solar panel, which was made in a process similar to microchips.  We are seeing initial pricing on this new technology in the $1 to $2/watt range.

3. Efficiency is Getting Better

Solar efficiency is the measure of power produced versus the sun’s energy that hits the panel.  In the past any efficiency over 15% was seen as good, and approaching 20% was great.  Now such panels as SunPower’s are regularly achieving 22%.  That means more bang for buck and more energy produced for every square inch of panel installed.

4. Thin Film Efficiency is Better Too

Solar film is levelling the field on efficiency.  Thin film traditionally had efficiencies in the 10% area, roughly half the efficiency of crystalline panels.  While that measured quantity has trended up slightly, industry professionals are finding that actual production is higher.  This is because the film produces better in diffuse light and partially shaded conditions than panels.  In one project in Israel, installers recently found that the thin film solar only required 25% more surface area compared to crystalline panels to produce the same energy.  This means that actual efficiency is probably closer to 15% for film.

5. Utility Scale Solar is Blossoming

Utility scale solar is PV power for the masses, brought to you through your traditional power lines.  Usually the power plants are located in desert areas with ample sunshine.  They often use a technology called concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) that uses mirrors, tracking devices, and advanced solar panel technology to squeeze (almost) every drop of energy from sunlight.  Due to new federal rules on depreciation, generous tax credits, and technological advances, utilities and investors can install these systems profitably.  In the next 5-10 years we will probably see the record for largest CPV installation broken several times over.  Projects in Colorado, California, and Arizona are already under way and will vie for the nation’s largest when complete.

6. Power Is Getting More Expensive

While this isn’t necessarily good news, it’s certainly overdue.  Until we wrap the true environmental cost of producing carbon into the cost of electricity, our environmental picture will not improve.  Whether we do that through cap and trade, a carbon tax, or another way, it means that power is going to cost more in the short term.  This increased cost will encourage energy efficiency and drive improvement in the production, transportation, and storage of electricity.  It will also make solar power look more attractive.

7. Research Will Only Fuel the Revolution

Speaking of innovation, research and development will change the industry in ways we’re not even aware of yet.  Our wonderful university research programs are driving tremendous changes in the industry.  Energy has become a focus of federal and industry dollars, much the way telecommunications and information technology was in the last decade.  College programs now emphasize energy efficiency in all aspects of design and engineering, and integrating solar in buildings, vehicles, and even clothing have become the norm.  It seems like every week we hear about a  breakthrough in solar panels, thin film solar, and battery technology in our university research programs

8. Massive Investment Will Incubate the Next Energy Stars

One sure sign of change to come is when Silicon Valley venture capital gets involved.  These funds are only interested in investing in sectors that are rapidly growing and can make gobs of money in a short time.  So when you hear they are investing billions of dollars in photovoltaic technology, and a new deal seems to be coming every week, you can bet there are big things on the horizon.  These prognosticators may not be right all the time, but you can bet they don’t throw their money away at weak prospects.  The same guys who made huge bets on Google, Yahoo, and Netscape are now putting their chips on the energy sector, and specifically solar power.

Kriss Bergethon is a writer and solar expert.  He and his wife live off the grid in Colorado.  For more information visit his site at Solar Kits.

Photo Credit: Qureshi Report, OffTheGrid, carbonpressure & Sustainablog

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Solar panels use is increasing day by day as it is a key ingredient to produce eco-friendly and renewable source of energy. As the energy need will increase in future so far that a lot number of solar panels will be used all over the world. But researchers take it as an eco-conservative concern.

Danger to biodiversity

Mr. Bruce Robertson, Research Associate, from Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University says that it is a possible threat to biodiversity. He told that shining dark surface of the solar cells, which reflect the sunlight is same like water surfaces that result aquatic insects like mayflies depositing their eggs on the solar panels. The solar panels will be posing a false habitat hazard to more than 300 species of insect. It will lead to a reproductive failure that may have far-reaching cascading adverse effects to the food chain. These insects fall prey to predators. This data was given in the research which was held in Hungary.

False Surface

Mr. Robertson and his colleagues after the research in Hungary had told in their article that reflected sunlight from expanses of the dark surfaces which are shiny like glass-clad buildings, vehicles, solar panels of all sizes are causing worry for polarized light pollution. Because such dark shiny surfaces cause the caddis flies and other aquatic insects to mistake shining surface to be water surface to lay their eggs.

How to reduce that threat?

According to Mr. Robertson white marking the solar cells may reduce this threat to a great extent. The calculations made by him shows that white marking the solar panels will not affect the efficiency of the solar panels. The researchers had discovered that the aquatic insects can be warned off by fixing white-color grids and other methods to break up the polarized reflection.

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Sunlight is made of tiny packets of energy called photons. Every minute enough of this free energy reaches the earth that it can meet all of the world’s energy needs for a full year.

I will discuss here the major ten benefits of the solar energy:

1 - First of all we knew that solar energy is a renewable energy. So there is no need to worry that sunlight will run out or will be used all up. Sun is a permanent source of energy and it will be there everyday.

2 – Solar energy is having no harm impact on the environment means its environment friendly. As fossil fuels that release the greenhouse gases, carcinogens and carbon dioxide while solar cells don’t release any harmful elements in the atmosphere.

3 – Solar panels are so much durable and are having no moving parts that you worry about replacing anything. Solar panels continuously produce the electricity for 1000s hours with little or no maintenance.

4 – Another good thing about solar panels is they won’t make any noise while collecting the energy. Unlike other renewable energy sources,solar panels are completely silent.

5 – If we compare solar electricity with Power Company electricity on long run solar electricity is lot cheaper than power company electricity. Though in beginning it cost much but later on it starts paying itself.

6 – Solar panels are having vast variety which is available in the market. Some are having extremely high prices and some are having lost costs. That means anyone can buy it according to his capacity.

7 – Because of solar energy you can get rid of the power grid. That looks absolutely great when you have to pay any monthly electric bill.

8 – If you will be producing excessive electricity through your solar panel system then you can make you electric meter spin backwards. Most of power companies will like to buy or credit you for this excess electricity. You can get more details about that from your power companies.

9 – Most governments are having tax credit or any other incentive for the people who purchase the solar energy systems. That rebate provided by the government cover usually 20-30% of the system cost. More details you can get from the local representatives.

10 – Best thing is that solar technology is improving day by day. Solar installations are increasing rapidly with the ratio of 50% every year and from them most are the small homemade solar systems.

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Allow me to introduce the pokeberry. You may have seen it before, whether you knew it or not, as it can grow on every continent but Antarctica and flourishes in drought and rocky terrain. That makes it an ideal candidate for cheap, locally-available dyes for solar cells. That’s why researchers at Wake Forest University believe this hearty little berry may be the secret to affordable solar power in the developing world – -regions often rife with drought and lack of fertile land for agriculture.

In a new variant of dye-sensitized solar cells, researchers at WFU’s Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials found that applying a layer of pokeberry dye to their fiber-based solar cells increased light absorption and subsequently improved cell performance. The group wants to ship their fiber substrate to parts of Africa, Asia and other poor areas. There, pokeberries could easily be grown and harvested for use, and local workers could apply the dye themselves. Shipping without the dye saves money on materials and labor here, where it is expensive, and provides jobs and cheaper solar power there, where both are much needed.

The Wake researchers are the first ever to apply for a patent on fiber-based solar cells. The cells are created by stamping plastic fibers onto long, plastic sheets, forming millions of minuscule plastic “cans” that trap light and convert it to electricity. These “canny” fibers can produce up to twice as much power as current flat-cell technology and work even more efficiently when a purple pokeberry dye is added. Because the “canny” fibers create more surface area than flat solar cells, they can absorb light at any angle, from sunrise to sunset, further increasing electricity production.

FiberCell Inc., a spin-off company created by those involved at Wake Forest, has already been given license to develop manufacturing methods for producing this new solar cell. The plastic sheets the cells are stamped onto are light and flexible, providing easy production and even easier shipping, as the solar cells could simply be rolled up and shipped to developing nations. Workers at local plants would spray on the cheap, abundant dye and prepare the cells for installation.

The word is still out on numbers like conversion efficiency, degradation and other important data.

Source: Science Daily
Photo Credit: S. Clark

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A new, portable solar panel has recently been introduced by Esico, which will make it very convenient for people to use solar energy while on the go.

The company already manufactures a wide variety of solar energy products that now include the solar portable folding panel as well. The panel comprises of 18 silicon solar cells, each measuring 33 x 50mm. The portable solar panel can provide power to a number of different products such as tent fans, street lights, radios, house lights, portable televisions, flash lights, garage lights, ventilators and warning lights. It is also possible to use the portable panel in boats, cars, recreational vehicles and camping.

The panel can run both 6 volt and 12 volt applications. The portable solar module is very handy and easy to carry around especially with the case that makes it simple to carry it during travels.

As the panel can be folded, it becomes weather resistant to different climatic conditions such as ice, rain, wind, humidity, snow and storms. The panel also has other features that make it special such as corrosion resistance, being water proof and rust proof. As it is portable and movable, it can easily be tilted to utilize maximum possible sunlight.

Moreover, the solar panel can also be used as a battery charger as it is made up of in-built blocking diodes that stop it from discharging.

Esico provides two sets of clip and plug type cable wires along with the panel. Measures 24 x 18 x 3.3cm and weighing 0.8kg, the panel is an excellent device to provide power while travelling or going outdoors.

Technorati Tags: Solar,Panel,energy,battery,cells,volt

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After the launch of the solar boat, solar plane is here to play its part in the advancement of renewable energy. An experimental solar plane took its first test-flight this week. After the successful test flight, it has become possible for the Solar Impulse to plan of making a trip round the world.

According to reports, the test flight was expected to fly for about 90 minutes, reaching an altitude of about 1,000 meters.

The solar-powered airplane weighs about 1,600 kilograms and has four electric motors on board that supply the power to keep the plane up whether its day or night.

It took almost six years to finally construct this plane, enabling it to reach a maximum altitude of about 27,900 feet while traveling at about 70 kilometers per hour using the power generated by its 12,000 photovoltaic panels.

The first flight was made in Payerne, Switzerland, in which the plane flew for 90 minutes. Although it is as wide as a 747, the plane is extremely light and never reaches more than 28 miles an hour while in flight.

It is expected that solar energy will play a major role, acting as a main source of electricity, heating and transport in the near future. The airline industry has been looking for various ways to help the environment, and reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. There are some airlines that are working towards using more bio fuel in the coming years. Let us hope the future is greener for the airlines as well as other industries.

Technorati Tags: Solar,Plane,energy,airplane,environment,fossil,panels

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The solar revolution may be televised, but it’ll be hard to see. In the near future, the age of the solar panel may give way to the age of the solar shingle, solar window, solar siding, solar paint and all things building integrated. BIPV – Building Integrated Photovoltaics – is the heir apparent of the solar energy movement — the little brother set to grow up in a big way. Whereas conventional, aluminum-framed solar panels are more of an addition to the average home, future solar components will be key ingredients in the recipe of home building. They won’t be on your roof, they’ll be your roof.

That, in essence, is what makes BIPV so cool, if still a tad underdeveloped. Already, solar shingles (mostly solar roof tiles) are lining many rooftops, keeping the rain out while taking the sunshine in. Companies like Nanosolar are printing solar cells onto thin rolls of “foil.” Researchers the world over are working to commercialize spray-on solar cells that could one day become the most energetic paint you’ll ever buy. And it’s all being done with less material, in less time and at a lower cost than conventional silicon-based solar panels.

Solar Shingles

Solar shingles are solar panels incognito. Instead of mounting on your roof, they become your roof or integrate seamlessly with the existing roof shingles. In many cases, they can be stapled to the sub-roofing the same as an ordinary shingle. On average, shingles are about 12 inches wide by seven feet long. There are also solar roof tiles that integrate well with mission-style housing common in the sunny Southwest. Solar shingles, like most thin-film BIPV products currently on the market, are less efficient than silicon solar panels. But, again like other BIPV innovations, are a burgeoning work in progress.

Spray-on Solar

The most fantastic possibility for BIPV lies in the minuscule size of the solar cells. They can be so small — on the nanoscale in fact — that they can be deposited into liquids and sprayed onto surfaces. BIPV leader Nanosolar is using just such a solution (they call it “ink”) to create their rolls of bendable solar cells. Someday, when researchers tackle the problem of durability and efficiency (among others), spray-on cells could be incorporated into paint and product coatings. In other words, your new exterior siding, sheet metal roofing or windows could come made with electricity-producing solar cells.

PIPV: People-Integrated Photovoltaics

Worth mentioning is the fact that the same nanotechnology that promises more building-integrated possibilities than we can imagine will also make it possible for humans to wear solar cells. Seriously, researchers in laboratories around the world have scaled down solar cell production so much that cells can actually be interwoven into fabrics. That means that one day, your jacket or sweater could charge your cell phone, MP3 player or eBook as you walk down the street absentmindedly shopping through windows equipped with BIPV cells powering the very storefront through which your eyes meander.

One Day, Some Day, What a Day

You may have noticed the words “someday” or “one day” used quite a bit in this post. That’s not to imply that these technologies don’t exist, because they do, but they still have room to grow before that window shopping scenario can become an everyday reality. Issues like durability, conversion efficiency, manufacturing and commercialization still need to be worked out. For that reason, conventional silicon wafer solar cells continue to control better than 80 percent of the market today, but that lopsidedness is starting to give way. US solar giant First Solar is leading the thin-film revolution, taking the first major step down a road that will undoubtedly lead to the commercialization of the products mentioned here and many more.

BIPV panels are lauded for their aesthetic value, their pleasant invisibility compared to their bulkier forbears, but that uncanny ability to integrate transcends simply making a roof more nondescript. What really makes BIPV so bodacious and incredible is the wide range of integration possible. Just about any part of the outer shell of a home or building (and especially skyscraper) could be a solar power producer. Heck, even you and I will someday, one day strut around town making electricity out of sunlight…and what a day that will be.

Photo Credit: Solar Power Authority, oldhouseweb & SlipperyBrick

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