Small Wind Turbines

Over the last few years, wind and solar proponents have been battling it out to take the top spot in the clean energy discussion. However, when it comes down making a purchase on a smaller scale, solar is king. Solar panels are smaller, more discreet and, most importantly, they’re a proven commodity.

Still, that doesn’t mean they’re always the best option. According to Earth2Tech, the “small” wind turbine market is expected to double by 2013. By the way, I put “small” in quotes because were talking small in terms of output (100KW or less), not size. Look at the 100KW turbine in the picture and you’ll see what I’m talking about. More »

Making the Best Use of Polymer Solar Cells

A report recently published in an online journal called Advanced Materials points out that a process has been developed by the researchers at the Iowa State University and the Ames Laboratory that can produce thin and constant light absorbing layers on textured substrates. This increases light absorption by polymer solar cells, thereby increasing their efficiency and enabling its best use.

Why has polymer solar cell technology failed so far?
Mr Chaudhary says that since it is already being used in silicon-based solar cells, the use of textured substrate to increase the working capacity of solar cells is More »

Brooklyn Bridge Park Receives Solar-Powered Charging Station to Power Electric Vehicles

BROOKLYN, NY–(Marketwire – March 15, 2011) – Brooklyn Bridge Park and Beautiful Earth Group (BE), a Brooklyn-based renewable energy company, announced today the arrival of a state-of-the-art solar-powered electric vehicle charging station to Brooklyn Bridge Park — a world-class 85-acre sustainable waterfront park with iconic views of the New York Harbor and Manhattan skyline.
Designed and built by BE, the station is the first solar-powered charging station in New York City and one of only a few in the world. Brooklyn Bridge Park will use the donated station to charge its electric service vehicles (EVs) using only the power of the sun. This project greatly enhances the Park’s already impressive sustainability efforts, which include the reuse of materials from demolished buildings, use of native plant species, reintroduction of marine habitats and management of rainwater and runoff. More »

After the Middle East unrest, all eyes are now on the Arctic

Learning that current levels of oil production and use are not going to bring down civilisation with the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and it doesn’t fill me with relief and satisfaction which everyone seems to think it should.

I would have thought that, irrespective of Middle Eastern problems, renewable energy sources should be taken seriously, individuals, organisations and governments should champion and accept a good policy for manufacturing now, given that oil supplies are indeed finite, and seize the day and invest heavily in becoming world leaders in innovative and ever more efficient alternatives to oil.

Competition for oil and gas in the Arctic regions are now going to increase, especially since More »

August sees record rise in UK home solar panels fitted

A record number of homeowners had solar panels installed this month, according to energy regulator Ofgem.

The devices have been fitted to 2,257 homes so far during August, up from 1,700 in July and 1,400 in June.

More than 6,688 homes have had solar panels fitted since April, when the government’s scheme to reward people who generate their own energy altered.

The feed-in tariff system now enables homeowners to receive 41.3p for every unit of energy they generate.

This is regardless of whether they use the energy or sell it back to the National Grid. More »

Solar Cells from Tobacco Plants May Be a Reality Soon

As the world continues its quest to use less fossil fuels, the latest possible solution comes from the most unlikely of sources: the tobacco plant. This new discovery is based on the possibility of literally programming the cells of the plants to get solar cells from tobacco plants. More »

Solar Photovoltaic Systems

Solar cells, also called photovoltaic (PV) cells by scientists, convert sunlight directly into electricity. PV gets its name from the process of converting light (photons) to electricity (voltage), which is called the PV effect. The PV effect was discovered in 1954, when scientists at Bell Telephone discovered that silicon (an element found in sand) created an electric charge when exposed to sunlight. Soon solar cells were being used to power space satellites and smaller items like calculators and watches. Today, thousands of people power their homes and businesses with individual solar PV systems. Utility companies are also using PV technology for large power stations.

Solar panels used to power homes and businesses are typically made from solar cells combined into modules that hold about 40 cells. More »

Passive Solar

Step outside on a hot and sunny summer day, and you’ll feel the power of solar heat and light. Today, many buildings are designed to take advantage of this natural resource through the use of passive solar heating and daylighting.

The south side of a building always receives the most sunlight. Therefore, buildings designed for passive solar heating usually have large, south-facing windows. Materials that absorb and store the sun’s heat can be built into the sunlit More »

Solar Energy Basics: Sizing Up Your System

Solar energy Basics – Sizing a Solar Electric System to Fit Your Needs

In regard to solar energy basics, the process for determining the size of your solar electric system is the opposite order of what we just went through in the previous example. First, you determine how much energy you need on a daily basis in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This data can be found on your electric bill on a monthly basis if you have one for your location.

Otherwise you will need to go through the process of estimating your energy consumption. To estimate the energy usage on a daily basis, take your monthly estimate and divide by 30. To estimate the energy usage on a daily basis More »

Overview of a Solar Energy Panel: Solar Energy Panels

When it comes to renewable energy technology, solar energy panels, which are known by some as photovoltaic modules, are one of the most popular. Basically a solar energy panel is the smallest unit that is replaceable within a PV array.

The panel offers support for a variety of different PV cells and the amount of electrical output will depend on the number of cells and the size of the cells, the conditions of the environment, and of course the electric interconnection of those cells.

When it comes to the output of a specific solar electric panel More »