Jul
8
A New Process to Make Low Cost Photovoltaic Solar Cells
July 8, 2013 | 1 Comment
Engineers at Oregon State University (OSU) have developed a new process combining some comparatively low cost materials and automotive antifreeze that may be the key to making solar cells that cost less and avoid toxic compounds, while further expanding the use of solar energy. When the process is perfected the technique might also cook up […]
Jun
27
Progress for Photovoltaic Solar Power
June 27, 2013 | Leave a Comment
The two-junction solar cell has reached a new milestone with a new world record of 31.1% conversion efficiency at the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL). The previous record of 30.8% efficiency was held by Alta Devices. The new record may not last long. NREL Principal Scientist Sarah Kurtz, who leads the F-PACE project […]
Aug
27
New Hope For Photovoltaic Solar Cells
August 27, 2012 | 1 Comment
The photovoltaic solar cell business is closing in on dire economic straights. The economics for producing power are still far too expensive to compete with – almost all other forms of power generation. When news of a way to cut costs arrives – it matters. Over the long term solar will have a role in […]
May
18
A New Way To Catch A Photon
May 18, 2011 | Leave a Comment
Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Jun Xu a member of ORNL’s Chemical Sciences Division has boosted the light-to-power conversion efficiency of photovoltaic solar cells by nearly 80 percent with a new method to build photovoltaic solar cell. Xu said he and his team, “designed the three-dimensional structure to provide an intrinsic electric field distribution that promotes […]
Oct
25
An Incredible 72% Solar Conversion Efficiency
October 25, 2010 | 15 Comments
ZenithSolar has broken records with its 3rd generation combined heat and power (CHP) solar energy generator, Z20 series, that combines heat and power systems to yield an incredible 72% solar conversion efficiency. According to Ezri Tarazi at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design and Head of Tarazi Studio, the generator has reached record levels […]