Most of today`s solar cells are based on silicon with extremely high purity, which is one of the major reasons why solar power is expensive. IBM has successfully created a new prototype of a solar cell that uses natural and abundant materials – copper, zinc and tin – to convert photons into electricity.
Tag: solar power
How Much Solar Power Does the Sun Provide? [Infographic]
How much solar power does the sun provide to us? A nearly limitless amount: this infographic puts it into perspective.
Lunar Solar Power: Pipe Dream or Salvation in a Beam?
Physicist David Criswell, director of the Institute for Space Systems Operations at the University of Houston, has spent the last four decades evangelizing for a novel energy solution: solar power from the moon.
Victoria, Australia's Generous Feed-in Tariffs Under the Microscope
The amount of money Victorian solar panel owners get paid for selling their excess electricity back to their energy retailer could be slashed if a draft report by the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC) is any indication.
Community-Owned Solar Gardens Make Clean Energy Possible for All
One of the biggest setbacks for people looking to invest in solar is a lack of a suitable place to put the solar panels. In the last few years this has been changing: community-owned solar enables households that otherwise wouldn’t be eligible for solar panels in the past to invest in, and make use of, this technology.
The Most Important Solar Fountain Benefits
Installing a solar fountain in your yard has many benefits. Besides the obvious aesthetic benefit, solar fountains can improve your overall standard of living. Investigate all the features you desire and check out some of these reasons why a solar fountain makes sense for your property.
I-GO Car Sharing Launches Largest Solar-Powered EV Project
I know sustainablog founder and editor Jeff McIntire-Strasburg is an I-GO fan — I actually learned about this Chicago car sharing non-profit from Jeff when he wrote about it earlier this year on sustainablog. Well, now, this humble little car sharing non-profit is leading the country.. in powering electric cars with solar power.
3 Ways to Go Solar
With the cost of solar continuously declining and a huge solar power explosion (i.e. a ton more solar getting installed around the world these days), you might be wondering what your [ … ]
Solar PV Breaks Records in 2010
Solar photovoltaic (PV) companies manufactured a record 24,000 megawatts of PV cells worldwide in 2010, more than doubling their 2009 output.
The Cost of Solar Continues to Decline
As the cost of solar panels continues to decline and the technology continues to improve, both in collection and storage capacity, the use of solar could become an even more attractive option.
Britain's First Planned Solar Powered Town Should Inspire Communities Worldwide
A small town in the UK has taken the initiative to become more sustainable and energy independent hoping to set an example.
Student to Travel the World Studying Commercial Solar Power
A student with a passion for seeing solar energy developed globally, Arizona State University’s Steven Limpert now has the funds to continue his studies in a big way. The third-year [ … ]
Top 10 Reasons to Live in an Electricity-Free Home (PPB #27)
When I designed my cob house here at Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage two years ago, I decided that I was going to live without electricity. I had no plans to buy [ … ]