Oct
11
The Low Cost Solar Cell Could Get Much Better
October 11, 2010 | 6 Comments
A team of researchers from North Carolina State University and the U.K. has found that the low rate of energy conversion in all-polymer photovoltaic solar-cell technology is caused by the structure of the solar cells themselves. Dr. Harald Ade, professor of physics at NCSU explains, “Solar cells have to be simultaneously thick enough to absorb […]
Oct
1
A New Kind of Solar Cell
October 1, 2010 | 8 Comments
Dr. Orlin Velev, Invista Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at North Carolina State University has shown that water-gel-based solar devices – “artificial leaves” – can act like photovoltaic solar cells to produce electricity. The findings prove the concept for making solar cells that more closely mimic nature. They also have the potential to be […]
Sep
13
On the Path to Full Spectrum Photovoltaic Solar Cells
September 13, 2010 | 12 Comments
The maximum use of incoming solar radiation relies on using the full spectrum of the light and infrared radiation. There’s a lot of power in the infrared – not something the current photovoltaic cell is harvesting. Photovoltaic solar cells convert energy from the sun into electricity by absorbing light. However, different materials absorb light at […]
Jul
28
Catching CO² to Make Some Useful Fuel
July 28, 2010 | 13 Comments
George Washington University’s Dr. Stuart Licht and colleagues have published the first experimental evidence of their new solar thermal electrochemical photovoltaic (STEP) process, which combines electrical and chemical pathways to convert CO2 to carbon or to carbon monoxide for subsequent use in synthesizing a range of industrially relevant products including hydrocarbon fuels. According to the […]
Jul
9
A Cheaper Photovoltaic Solar Cell
July 9, 2010 | 8 Comments
If one lives where the wind blows, the hail falls and the home insurance underwriter is up to speed – the savings a residential photovoltaic solar cell system offers is consumed by the risk insurance premium. Spending say $20K to save $2K annually with risk insurance at $6K per year is a nonstarter. Weather risk […]