Is it possible to harness solar energy without the use of solar cells? A recent discovery on the magnetic effect of light indicates that this may someday be a reality. Scientists have long known that magnetism is a component of light, however this magnetism has largely been dismissed as being too weak to provide much [...]
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CPV Solar Cell Reaches New Efficiency Milestone
Just last month the solar industry was set abuzz by news that Solar Junction, a Silicon Valley concentrating photovoltaics (CPV) startup, had produced a multi-junction solar cell operating at 40.9 percent efficiency. The latest news is that the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has verified the company’s production cell at an even more impressive 41.4 [...]
Could Fool’s Gold Lead to Cheaper Solar Energy?
Could iron pyrite, the mining waste product commonly known as fool’s gold, soon be used in the production of low-cost photovoltaic panels? It’s a distinct possibility according to researchers at UC Irvine. While fool’s gold is perhaps best known for its use as a cheap novelty gift, the research team found several characteristics that make [...]
Cincinnati Zoo Begins Contruction on Solar Canopy
Congratulations to the Cincinnati Zoo. The zoo, known as the second-oldest zoo in the US, has begun construction on a 1.56-megawatt solar array which is expected to be completed this spring. The zoo expects the solar project to provide about 20% of the park’s energy needs. As a result the array becomes the largest publicly [...]
How Do Solar Panels Work?
The sun is a non-stop energy source with a tremendous amount of power. For decades scientists searched for ways to use the sun’s energy to generate an electrical current, but it wasn’t until Russell Ohl patented the solar cell in 1941 that the adoption of solar power as a viable source of electricity really took [...]
Solar Light Batteries
Just about every type of solar light requires the use of rechargeable batteries. These batteries typically last a long time — usually about one to two years — and are essential for anyone looking to use more solar power to meet even the smallest energy needs. Rechargeable batteries store the energy created by the solar [...]
Solar Garden Lights
Designing your very own garden is a pleasure that many people share. It is not necessarily the plants or the flowers that drives you, but the overall arrangement and feel that it gives the people you share it with. The goal, if your garden is planned well enough, is to allow all who bask in [...]
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?
It’s easy to appreciate the many advantages of solar energy for the home. What’s considerably more complicated is in figuring out what it’s going to cost you to get started with solar power. This is a tricky question to answer because the total cost can vary quite a bit from home to home. Your price [...]
Portable Solar Generator for Backup Power
Of the many benefits of solar power, perhaps its greatest strength is its ability to be there when other sources of power are not available. Lets face it, even the most reliable utility companies will sometimes suffer a power outage, keeping you in the dark for a night or longer. Or you may decide to [...]
Outdoor Solar Lights
Outdoor solar lights generate power using small photovoltaic panels which are affixed to the top of the unit. These lights are easy to install and are popular for their versatility and their ability to save homeowners money on their electric bills. With solar lighting there is no need to call an electrician for a costly [...]