Plutonic Power Enters Solar Industry in Ontario
Plutonic Power will purchase 50MW portfolio from First Solar.
HyperSolar Magnifies Solar Energy
New solar technology uses less silicon to bring down the cost of solar energy. By Tim Young Even though solar power is recognized as a non-polluting, unlimited source of energy, we still generate less than 1% of total energy consumption from this renewable source. Although solar has the power to revolutionize the way the world consumes energy, it’s not being used to its full potential. For solar to become an integral part of the world’s energy supply, costs have to come down and efficiency has to increase. Today’s most efficient solar cells hover around 15% – only a small amount of energy from the sun is converted into electricity. That means large numbers of expensive solar panels are required to generate meaningful amounts of electricity. Instead of focusing on improving the efficiency of solar cells, Santa Barbara, Calif.-based HyperSolar has a patent-pending technology based on photonics (the science of guiding light) – it concentrates sunlight on a solar cell in much the same way as a magnifying glass would. By marrying the principles of solar concentration and cutting edge photonics techniques, HyperSolar is developing the world’s first thin and flat solar concentrator for direct placement on top of existing solar […]
Ocean Energy on the Verge of Rapid Growth?
Surge of prototype projects could signal dramatic growth in ocean energy industry by Rona Fried, Ph.D. Is the global ocean energy industry at a turning point? With all the attention focused on energy efficiency and smart grid, and with more mature renewable sectors like wind struggling, we haven’t heard much about ocean energy in the last year or two. Financing is tight and venture capital is extra-cautious as the world struggles to get through this tough recession. It’s not the best time for a new industry to gain footing. High initial costs and long development lead times makes the industry dependent on government support. Ocean energy has received much less support than solar or wind, but that could change. Costs are high because prototypes must stand up to ocean storms, and in the U.S. they must navigate a confusion of overlapping offshore permitting authorities. After only a dozen wave and tidal prototypes were installed in 2009, more than 45 projects will have been tested in 2010 and 2011, according to IHS Emerging Energy Research. If these prototypes are successful, IHS believes the global ocean energy project pipeline is poised to begin scaling. They estimate that more than 1.8 GW of […]
Interior Sued Over Approval of Fast-Track Solar Projects
Native American group says the sites could destroy hundreds of sacred and cultural sites.
Food Safety Bill Includes Important Exemptions for Local Farmers
Producers who sell more than half their products directly to consumers are exempt from new federal oversight.
Europe To Exceed 20% Renewable Energy Goal by 2020
Wind power will provide the largest percentage, followed by hydro and biomass.
Stion To Build Thin-Film Solar Plant in Mississippi
First thin-film solar panel factory in Mississippi, is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs.
Massive First Solar Plant Moves Forward in China
First Solar signed a memorandum of understanding to co-develop Phase I of Ordos plant.
Massachusetts Announces Clean Energy and Climate Plan
The state commits to reducing emissions 25% below 1990 levels by 2020.
2010: Top Year for Natural Disasters
Almost 300,000 people died from unprecendented disasters including floods, forest fires, earthquakes.
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