Monday, June 04, 2007
Photovoltaic costs to drop sharply
The Worldwatch Institute estimates that the cost of photovoltaic cells may drop by as much as 40% in the next few years. One factor contributing to this is the increase of manufacturing of photovoltaics in China, such as the new facility announced by Suntech, a key supplier of building integrated solar products.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Photovoltaic, China
posted by Ian at 6:34 PM
The Worldwatch Institute estimates that the cost of photovoltaic cells may drop by as much as 40% in the next few years. One factor contributing to this is the increase of manufacturing of photovoltaics in China, such as the new facility announced by Suntech, a key supplier of building integrated solar products.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Photovoltaic, China
Labels: China, photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 6:34 PM
Solar hybrids
Solar Electric Vehicles make roofs for hybrid cars that charge a supplemental battery and increase the cars' fuel efficiency by as much as 29%. Prius owners have fitted solar panels to their vehicles before, but these convex panels won't mess with the aerodynamics as much.
Solar Electric Vehicles website
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Hybrid Car
posted by Ian at 4:40 PM
Solar Electric Vehicles make roofs for hybrid cars that charge a supplemental battery and increase the cars' fuel efficiency by as much as 29%. Prius owners have fitted solar panels to their vehicles before, but these convex panels won't mess with the aerodynamics as much.
Solar Electric Vehicles website
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Hybrid Car
Labels: Hybrid Car, photovoltaic, Transport
posted by Ian at 4:40 PM
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Google goes solar
EI Solutions has provided solar power for Google's Mountain View campus in California. Output is 1.6 megawatts from 197,000 square feet of solar panelling.
via BoingBoing
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Google
posted by Ian at 9:37 PM
EI Solutions has provided solar power for Google's Mountain View campus in California. Output is 1.6 megawatts from 197,000 square feet of solar panelling.
via BoingBoing
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Google
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 9:37 PM
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Dye-sensitized cells- cheaper photovoltaics
Michael Gratzel has the rare honour of having a type of photovoltaic cell named after him. The Gratzel cell was first developed over 15 years ago but is now ready for manufacture and release onto the market. Technology Review talked to him about bringing the product to market.
via Hugg
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Photovoltaic, Nanoparticles
posted by Ian at 9:45 AM
Michael Gratzel has the rare honour of having a type of photovoltaic cell named after him. The Gratzel cell was first developed over 15 years ago but is now ready for manufacture and release onto the market. Technology Review talked to him about bringing the product to market.
Technology Review: Why has it been so difficult to make efficient, yet inexpensive solar cells that could compete with fossil fuels as sources of electricity?
Michael Gratzel: It's perhaps just the way things evolved. Silicon cells were first made for [outer] space, and there was a lot of money available so the technology that was first developed was an expensive technology. The cell we have been developing on the other hand is closer to photosynthesis.
via Hugg
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Photovoltaic, Nanoparticles
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 9:45 AM
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Nanosolar- printed solar film
Nanosolar has developed technology to create solar panels by printing films 1/100th the thickness of absorber in a silicon-wafer cell. With the drastic cut in unit price that will come from this they hope to have a solar panel on every building.
There are issues with the lifespan of these thin film photovoltaics, and worries about toxicity of the chemicals used. If they can be answered, then this could be a huge step toward a solar future.
via Treehugger
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Thin Film Photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 12:29 PM
Nanosolar has developed technology to create solar panels by printing films 1/100th the thickness of absorber in a silicon-wafer cell. With the drastic cut in unit price that will come from this they hope to have a solar panel on every building.
There are issues with the lifespan of these thin film photovoltaics, and worries about toxicity of the chemicals used. If they can be answered, then this could be a huge step toward a solar future.
via Treehugger
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Thin Film Photovoltaic
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 12:29 PM
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Solar panels on the High Street
Electrical chain Currys is to start selling photovoltaic panels in their stores. So far they're only available in stores at West Thurrock, Fulham and Croydon. At £1000 a panel Currys say they're charging less than some specialist firms and are touting Government grants that could cut the price by as much as 50%. It's another important step in the Greening of the mainstream, though many people have issues with shopping at Currys for servivce level reasons.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Currys
posted by Ian at 7:53 AM
Electrical chain Currys is to start selling photovoltaic panels in their stores. So far they're only available in stores at West Thurrock, Fulham and Croydon. At £1000 a panel Currys say they're charging less than some specialist firms and are touting Government grants that could cut the price by as much as 50%. It's another important step in the Greening of the mainstream, though many people have issues with shopping at Currys for servivce level reasons.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Currys
Labels: photovoltaic, Solar Power Grants
posted by Ian at 7:53 AM
Monday, July 17, 2006
Holographic solar 25% more efficient
Treehugger reports on a test of a "Gen-1" holographic solar module manufactured by Prism Solar Technology. By splitting the spectrum and focussing a specific wavelength on the photovoltaics efficiency is increased. Also, passive tracking of the sun can generate more power at different times of the day. The test found output was 25% more efficient than an equivalent area of plain photovoltaic, which one commenter calculated would reduce costs from $5/watt to $4.10/watt (initial cost, rather than per watt generated).
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Holographic Solar Power
posted by Ian at 7:36 AM
Treehugger reports on a test of a "Gen-1" holographic solar module manufactured by Prism Solar Technology. By splitting the spectrum and focussing a specific wavelength on the photovoltaics efficiency is increased. Also, passive tracking of the sun can generate more power at different times of the day. The test found output was 25% more efficient than an equivalent area of plain photovoltaic, which one commenter calculated would reduce costs from $5/watt to $4.10/watt (initial cost, rather than per watt generated).
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Holographic Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:36 AM
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Solar power for the rainy town
Two Manchester solar initiatives were in the local paper today.
The council has fitted solar panels to the roofs of all 60 houses in one of the country's most run down estates. The panels will save around £100 a year and the fact that one resident has cottoned on to his meter running backwards on a sunny day if he turns off all the appliances suggests that it might also get them cutting consumption.
The University is putting 196 solar panels on the roof of one of its new buildings. The fact that it's the School of Sciences and the School of Environment and Development may have something to do with the decision. I have to ask, though, what's the story behind newspapers' obsession with translating units of electricity into their cup of tea equivalent? It would take a lot of students to drink two million cups of tea a year.
Technorati tags:
green
environment
Solar+Power
Manchester
Photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 4:23 PM
Two Manchester solar initiatives were in the local paper today.
The council has fitted solar panels to the roofs of all 60 houses in one of the country's most run down estates. The panels will save around £100 a year and the fact that one resident has cottoned on to his meter running backwards on a sunny day if he turns off all the appliances suggests that it might also get them cutting consumption.
The University is putting 196 solar panels on the roof of one of its new buildings. The fact that it's the School of Sciences and the School of Environment and Development may have something to do with the decision. I have to ask, though, what's the story behind newspapers' obsession with translating units of electricity into their cup of tea equivalent? It would take a lot of students to drink two million cups of tea a year.
Technorati tags:
green
environment
Solar+Power
Manchester
Photovoltaic
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 4:23 PM
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Solar Feedback
The Oakland Scottish Rite building has a realtime display on the Internet of the electricity generated by its solar panelled roofing. When I visited just now it was nighttime there so there was no power from the roof, but when BoingBoing visited the mid morning sun saw a surplus being fed to the grid.
Technorati tag: Solar Power
posted by Ian at 9:21 AM
The Oakland Scottish Rite building has a realtime display on the Internet of the electricity generated by its solar panelled roofing. When I visited just now it was nighttime there so there was no power from the roof, but when BoingBoing visited the mid morning sun saw a surplus being fed to the grid.
Technorati tag: Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 9:21 AM
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Holographic Solar
A new technology replaces unsightly mirrored solar concentrators with flat panels laminated with holograms and could cut the cost of solar modules by as much as 75%.
via Treehugger
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Hologram
posted by Ian at 11:49 AM
A new technology replaces unsightly mirrored solar concentrators with flat panels laminated with holograms and could cut the cost of solar modules by as much as 75%.
via Treehugger
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Hologram
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 11:49 AM
Germany has the world's largest solar park
16.5 km (10 miles) of solar panels have been mounted on former military grounds at Pocking, near Passau in Bavaria. The installation saves 10,000 tons of CO2 yearly--the equivalent of 1,000 hectares of woodlands. Construction cost 40 million euro (£27.8 million) and started in August 2005.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Germany
posted by Ian at 11:03 AM
16.5 km (10 miles) of solar panels have been mounted on former military grounds at Pocking, near Passau in Bavaria. The installation saves 10,000 tons of CO2 yearly--the equivalent of 1,000 hectares of woodlands. Construction cost 40 million euro (£27.8 million) and started in August 2005.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Germany
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 11:03 AM
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Solar Power Grants
A bit of an info dump. I'm rounding up links for later investigation-
The Energy Savings Trust has a funding database where you can check out who'll subsidise your move to Green energy. They also run a Solar Photovoltaic grant on behalf of the DTI with the aim of creating a long-term, sustained and viable market for solar photovoltaics.
Clear Skies is a well known scheme, which offers case studies of various projects.
The Solar Energy Alliance has a lot of solar information and gadgets as well as some stuff on wind turbines.
Technorati tag: Solar Power
posted by Ian at 11:50 AM
A bit of an info dump. I'm rounding up links for later investigation-
The Energy Savings Trust has a funding database where you can check out who'll subsidise your move to Green energy. They also run a Solar Photovoltaic grant on behalf of the DTI with the aim of creating a long-term, sustained and viable market for solar photovoltaics.
Clear Skies is a well known scheme, which offers case studies of various projects.
The Solar Energy Alliance has a lot of solar information and gadgets as well as some stuff on wind turbines.
Technorati tag: Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic, Solar Power Grants
posted by Ian at 11:50 AM
Monday, April 17, 2006
Treehugger's solar picks
A little lazy this, but recycling is part of the How to Save the World for Free ethos-
Treehugger has a list of solar picks now Summer is drawing near.
Technorati tag: Solar Power
posted by Ian at 6:18 PM
A little lazy this, but recycling is part of the How to Save the World for Free ethos-
Treehugger has a list of solar picks now Summer is drawing near.
Technorati tag: Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 6:18 PM
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Scotty Solar Charger
The Scotty solar charger, as pictured at the green guy is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and can effectively charge mobile phones, PDAs etc. It comes with adaptors for the most popular phones, a USB charger cable and two NiCad batteries which act as a charge reservoir. There's a belt clip, which is probably impractical except that it doubles as a stand for proper orientation. I don't know how much charging mobiles costs in electric bill terms and therefore how long it will take for the gadget to pay for itself, but the convenience on camping trips or even long days out would make it worth the money.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Solar Cahrger
posted by Ian at 6:32 PM
The Scotty solar charger, as pictured at the green guy is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and can effectively charge mobile phones, PDAs etc. It comes with adaptors for the most popular phones, a USB charger cable and two NiCad batteries which act as a charge reservoir. There's a belt clip, which is probably impractical except that it doubles as a stand for proper orientation. I don't know how much charging mobiles costs in electric bill terms and therefore how long it will take for the gadget to pay for itself, but the convenience on camping trips or even long days out would make it worth the money.
Charge your appliances using daylight!
A full charge from Scotty will allow 1 hour talk time or 60 hours standby!
Wear Scotty on your backpack or belt!
Scotty charges mobile phones, palm-tops, personal audio, electronic games and GPS products!
Includes connectors for Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia and Siemans phones
Also includes USB charger, ideal for many GPS devices and more!
Includes 2 x 600mAh Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries
The Scotty is an advanced, compact solar charger for you to collect and store FREE energy from sunshine or daylight. Scotty smart-charging technology then converts the collected energy to charge a huge range of portable appliances! Scotty uses a pair of Ni-Cd battery cells as a power reservoir and is the essential compact charger for people on the move. The unit features a charging indicator on the reverse, and the quicker this LED flashes, the fuller the batteries are charged. The supplied cables cover the vast majority of users requirements, but additional cables are available from www.solartechnology.co.uk. The Scotty is charged fully in 7 hours of sunlight, and this can be as little as 5 hours if the Scotty is used regularly. A fully charged Scotty will provide a mobile phone with 1-1.5 hours talk time or up to 60 hours standby. In sunnier climates, the Scotty can be upgraded to take 1200mAh or even 1800mAh batteries, but these will obviously take longer to charge. The fitted belt clip also doubles as a fold out stand, which can be used to ensure the Scotty is positioned at an optimum angle to receive direct sunlight. The Scotty measures approximately 10cm (h) x 6.5cm (w) x 3cm (d), including the belt clip. When used for the first time, please allow the Scotty to charge for 5 days with the solar panel facing a clear sunny aspect, in order to condition the unit.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Solar Cahrger
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 6:32 PM
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Home Power Magazine
You can now subscribe to get the magazine online in pdf format and have introductory articles on subjects such as Solar electric systems.
Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Solar Power, Renewable energy, Sustainable lifestyle
posted by Ian at 8:52 PM
Since 1987, we've dedicated more than 100 issues to home-scale renewable energy and sustainable living solutions. That means comprehensive coverage of solar, wind, and microhydro electricity, home energy efficiency, solar hot water systems, space heating and cooling, green building materials and home design, efficient transportation, and much, much more.
Whether you're a do-it-yourselfer or not, off-grid or on-grid, Home Power is here to help you make informed decisions about your home energy use. We provide extensive product information, homeowner testimonials, buyer advice, and "how-to" instructions.
You can now subscribe to get the magazine online in pdf format and have introductory articles on subjects such as Solar electric systems.
Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Solar Power, Renewable energy, Sustainable lifestyle
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 8:52 PM
Monday, March 13, 2006
Sunlight
I'm still working in the CIS tower, which now has a big display in the foyer telling us how much power the solar panels have generated and what that means in saved CO2. However, every floor has row upon row of flourescent tubes lighting it. Direct sunlight, on the rare days we get any, is blocked by blinds because it tends to shine in the eyes of those facing the windows.
Perhaps the Co-op can take another step in energy saving and have a few solar collectors on the roof, such as those by Solartech, which use parabolic mirrors to direct light into light tubes that can illuminate thousands of square feet of office space. The company needs further funding to bring their products to market. They estimate twenty times greater efficiency than converting light to power and then back again and say a system could pay for itself within two years.
via Treehugger
Technorati tag: Solar illumination
posted by Ian at 6:09 PM
I'm still working in the CIS tower, which now has a big display in the foyer telling us how much power the solar panels have generated and what that means in saved CO2. However, every floor has row upon row of flourescent tubes lighting it. Direct sunlight, on the rare days we get any, is blocked by blinds because it tends to shine in the eyes of those facing the windows.
Perhaps the Co-op can take another step in energy saving and have a few solar collectors on the roof, such as those by Solartech, which use parabolic mirrors to direct light into light tubes that can illuminate thousands of square feet of office space. The company needs further funding to bring their products to market. They estimate twenty times greater efficiency than converting light to power and then back again and say a system could pay for itself within two years.
via Treehugger
Technorati tag: Solar illumination
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 6:09 PM
Thursday, February 23, 2006
The Earthship Estate
A company called Biotecture has submitted plans for a 16 house estate in Brighton that will consist of Earthships- buildings constructed of old tyres and waste. The houses will be so efficient, and the plan incorporates rainwater capture and solar panelling, that the houses are likely to have no utility bills whatsoever. At £250,000 to £350,000 each they're a bit expensive to be the solution to the nation's housing shortage, but they show the way new builds should be going. And they deal with waste without having to incinerate it, so two birds with one stone.
Wikipedia Earthship entry.
Technorati tag: Earthship, Brighton, Technorati tag: Solar Power
posted by Ian at 6:16 PM
A company called Biotecture has submitted plans for a 16 house estate in Brighton that will consist of Earthships- buildings constructed of old tyres and waste. The houses will be so efficient, and the plan incorporates rainwater capture and solar panelling, that the houses are likely to have no utility bills whatsoever. At £250,000 to £350,000 each they're a bit expensive to be the solution to the nation's housing shortage, but they show the way new builds should be going. And they deal with waste without having to incinerate it, so two birds with one stone.
Wikipedia Earthship entry.
Technorati tag: Earthship, Brighton, Technorati tag: Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 6:16 PM
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Titanium nanotubes to increase solar energy efficiency
Researchesr at Penn State university are using highly ordered arrays of titanium nanotubes to increase the efficiency of photolysis- the breaking down of water to hydrogen and oxygen by sunlight.
via Warren Ellis
Technorati tag: Photolysis, Solar Power, Hydrogen
posted by Ian at 6:28 PM
Researchesr at Penn State university are using highly ordered arrays of titanium nanotubes to increase the efficiency of photolysis- the breaking down of water to hydrogen and oxygen by sunlight.
"Basically we are talking about taking sunlight and putting water on top of this material, and the sunlight turns the water into hydrogen and oxygen. With the highly-ordered titanium nanotube arrays, under UV illumination you have a photoconversion efficiency of 13.1%. Which means, in a nutshell, you get a lot of hydrogen out of the system per photon you put in. If we could successfully shift its bandgap into the visible spectrum we would have a commercially practical means of generating hydrogen by solar energy. It beats fighting wars over middle-eastern oil."
via Warren Ellis
Technorati tag: Photolysis, Solar Power, Hydrogen
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 6:28 PM
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Solar Tower
Whilst looking for stats on the CIS Tower's photovoltaic refit I found this CIS siteabout the project.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, CIS Tower, Manchester, Photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 6:34 PM
Whilst looking for stats on the CIS Tower's photovoltaic refit I found this CIS siteabout the project.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, CIS Tower, Manchester, Photovoltaic
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 6:34 PM
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Peter Hain Walks the Talk
Peter Hain, the secretary of state for Northern Ireland, and the secretary of state for Wales has taken advantage of a government grant to install photovoltaic panels on his constituency home.
It's also good to see that the Welsh Assembly's attitude to nuclear is more sensible- there is not yet a case for it because energy saving and more cost effective renewable sources should be utilised first.
Technorati tag: Solar power, Photovoltaic, Peter Hain, Wales
posted by Ian at 6:39 PM
Peter Hain, the secretary of state for Northern Ireland, and the secretary of state for Wales has taken advantage of a government grant to install photovoltaic panels on his constituency home.
"I decided to put my money where my mouth is. It's not cheap." Mr Hain and his businesswoman wife, Elizabeth Haywood, paid £8,000 - with another £8,000 coming from the grant - to place photovoltaic panels on the roof of the barn conversion they refurbished in the summer.
He hopes the investment will eventually pay for itself. Any surplus electricity generated is sold back to the national grid.
"When we are not using it, when we are away, then it generates electricity which goes back to the grid. So we save on our bills when we are at home, and when we are not at home it basically goes back to the grid and we get paid for it," he added.
It's also good to see that the Welsh Assembly's attitude to nuclear is more sensible- there is not yet a case for it because energy saving and more cost effective renewable sources should be utilised first.
Technorati tag: Solar power, Photovoltaic, Peter Hain, Wales
Labels: photovoltaic, Solar Power Grants
posted by Ian at 6:39 PM
Monday, January 02, 2006
Top Ten Green Energy Schemes
The Department of Trade and Industry has named ten schemes which began last year that show the way ahead in cutting carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy. They include offshore turbines in Kent, a wave buoy in Cornwall and the solar-panelling of the CIS tower in Manchester.
Technorati tag: Renewable Energy, Technorati tag: Solar Power
posted by Ian at 6:41 PM
The Department of Trade and Industry has named ten schemes which began last year that show the way ahead in cutting carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy. They include offshore turbines in Kent, a wave buoy in Cornwall and the solar-panelling of the CIS tower in Manchester.
Technorati tag: Renewable Energy, Technorati tag: Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 6:41 PM
Monday, September 26, 2005
Sun Trap
The Sun Trap solar handbag charges onboard batteries that then light up the electroluminescent material inside so keys that have sunk to the bottom can be found more easily.
Technorati tag: Solar, Handbag
posted by Ian at 6:44 PM
The Sun Trap solar handbag charges onboard batteries that then light up the electroluminescent material inside so keys that have sunk to the bottom can be found more easily.
Technorati tag: Solar, Handbag
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 6:44 PM
Sunday, September 25, 2005
World Solar Challenge
The world's most gruelling solar vehicle race is about to start in Australia.
via Jalopnik
Technorati tag: Transport, Solar car, Technorati tag: Solar Power
posted by Ian at 6:46 PM
The world's most gruelling solar vehicle race is about to start in Australia.
via Jalopnik
Technorati tag: Transport, Solar car, Technorati tag: Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic, Transport
posted by Ian at 6:46 PM
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Solar powered bike light
One of those concepts that seems silly at first glance, but I could leave one of these on the window sill for a few months and not worry about flat batteries the first time I cycled in the dark after summer.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Cycling
posted by Ian at 6:48 PM
One of those concepts that seems silly at first glance, but I could leave one of these on the window sill for a few months and not worry about flat batteries the first time I cycled in the dark after summer.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Cycling
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 6:48 PM
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Solar Hybrid
I said there would be a market for hybrids that utilise solar panels to recharge their batteries, and Canadian engineer Steve Lapp has already gone ahead and stuck photovoltaics onto his Prius. The energy provided gains the car several free miles a day, upping its fuel efficiency.
Technorati tag: Solar power, Hybrid car
posted by Ian at 6:49 PM
I said there would be a market for hybrids that utilise solar panels to recharge their batteries, and Canadian engineer Steve Lapp has already gone ahead and stuck photovoltaics onto his Prius. The energy provided gains the car several free miles a day, upping its fuel efficiency.
Technorati tag: Solar power, Hybrid car
Labels: Hybrid Car, photovoltaic, Transport
posted by Ian at 6:49 PM
Sunday, July 03, 2005
QuikSolar
The QuickSolar Blog is recording one team's construction of a solar powered car.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Solar Car
posted by Ian at 7:09 PM
The QuickSolar Blog is recording one team's construction of a solar powered car.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Solar Car
Labels: photovoltaic, Transport
posted by Ian at 7:09 PM
Money to burn
It might be worth investing in a solar powered car if, as one analyst predicts, oil prices are set to soar to over $100 a barrel by Christmas.
Technorati tag: Oil, Peak Oil, Technorati tag: Solar Power
posted by Ian at 6:52 PM
It might be worth investing in a solar powered car if, as one analyst predicts, oil prices are set to soar to over $100 a barrel by Christmas.
But [Texan oil analyst Matt] Simmons believes surging demand will keep prices bubbling well above $50. 'We could be at $100 by this winter. We have the biggest risk we have ever had of demand exceeding supply. We are now just about to face up to the biggest crisis we have ever had,' he said.
Technorati tag: Oil, Peak Oil, Technorati tag: Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic, Transport
posted by Ian at 6:52 PM
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Baby's first eco-house
The Power House is a science toy that teaches about renewable energy. It includes experiments with solar power, wind and plant growth, as well as featuring an electric car.
via Treehugger
Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Solar Power
posted by Ian at 7:10 PM
The Power House is a science toy that teaches about renewable energy. It includes experiments with solar power, wind and plant growth, as well as featuring an electric car.
via Treehugger
Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic, Transport
posted by Ian at 7:10 PM
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
"Middle Of the Road and Off the Grid." You could call them Moogs, Wired coins the term "hygrid". Ordinary households across the US are aiming for energy independence with solar power, wind turbines and wood burning stoves. They're still connected to the power lines, because sometimes they can't produce quite enough power and sometimes they have a surplus to sell back, but their bills have plummeted.
This is energy policy I want to see my government backing. One or two Smith or Patel families in each neighbourhood slashing their energy bills by over a half would do more to speed uptake of energy saving and micro generation than any amount of woolly promises Tony could make. Once again- don't waste money trying to sell nuclear power- fund a few power stations in Acacia Avenue and see the benefits roll in.
Technorati tag: Micro generation, Hygrid, self sufficiency, Technorati tag: Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:14 PM
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
John "Solar Panel" Prescott
Tucked away at the bottom of this news piece about a defecting Labour MP-
Update Ananova has more information.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Election
posted by Ian at 7:16 PM
Tucked away at the bottom of this news piece about a defecting Labour MP-
Elsewhere, four Greenpeace activists tried to install a solar panel on the rooftop of Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's home in Hull in protest at the government's energy record.
Update Ananova has more information.
[Ben Stewart, of Greenpeace,] said: "We have people up on the roof who have got the equipment to fit a solar panel.
"We want to draw attention to the Government's record on energy efficiency.
"We have unveiled a banner which says 'Oi Two Jags. Hit Targets, Not Voters'.
"I don't know if Mr Prescott is at home but we think his wife, Pauline, is inside."
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Election
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:16 PM
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Hippy flats
The four flat block at 56 Tomlins Grove, E3 is very nearly self sufficient energy wise. The building has a silent wind turbine on the roof, solar panels and a conservatory for each flat that acts as a miniature power station.
Technorati tag: Energy Efficiency, Green building, Solar Power
posted by Ian at 7:17 PM
The four flat block at 56 Tomlins Grove, E3 is very nearly self sufficient energy wise. The building has a silent wind turbine on the roof, solar panels and a conservatory for each flat that acts as a miniature power station.
Technorati tag: Energy Efficiency, Green building, Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:17 PM
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Electric Dream Machine
The perfect solution for medium length commutes (between 10 and 20 miles as far as I'm concerned)- an electric scooter with added solar panels so it can recharge during the day. The owner reckons the solar cells generate enough charge over the 9 hours he's in the office to half top up the batteries.
Technorati tag: Electric scooter, Transportation, Technorati tag: Solar Power
posted by Ian at 7:23 PM
The perfect solution for medium length commutes (between 10 and 20 miles as far as I'm concerned)- an electric scooter with added solar panels so it can recharge during the day. The owner reckons the solar cells generate enough charge over the 9 hours he's in the office to half top up the batteries.
Technorati tag: Electric scooter, Transportation, Technorati tag: Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:23 PM
If you happen to be on Fulton Street
No website for this, so, from the press release-
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Environmental business
posted by Ian at 7:22 PM
No website for this, so, from the press release-
In an effort to promote environmental consciousness among NYC businesses, Habana Outpost is pioneering the use of solar panels as a primary energy source, and green products whenever possible (everything from eco-friendly detergents to environmental wood alternative wood benches).
(PRWEB) April 21, 2005 -- Cafe Habana is opening an outpost and new location on saturday, May 21, 2005 and run to Halloween from 12-8pm. Located at 755-757 Fulton Street in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, the Outpost will include indoor and outdoor spaces.
The launch of Habana Outpost: Brooklyn, a new venture by entrepreneur/restauranteur, Sean Meenan (owner of Nolita’s Cafe Habana), the Outpost’s patented and famous grilled corn and other Cuban favorites, will be served to you from the Habana food truck. You have your choice to eat inside, or on the spacious patio. In an effort to promote environmental consciousness among NYC businesses, Habana Outpost is pioneering the use of solar panels as a primary energy source, and green products whenever possible. Everything from eco-friendly detergents to environmental wood alternative wood benches.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Environmental business
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:22 PM
Polysilicon
One knock on effect of the dot-com bust was an oversupply of polycrystalline silicon. The low prices gave a boost to the photovoltaic industry and increased margins and profits even as unit prices came down. Now, however, the price is on the way up again. The industry has two factors protecting it, the fact that a great deal of solar power installation is legislated for or subsidised and the increase in efficiency and systems that use no silicon at all.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Photovoltaic, Polysilicon
posted by Ian at 7:20 PM
One knock on effect of the dot-com bust was an oversupply of polycrystalline silicon. The low prices gave a boost to the photovoltaic industry and increased margins and profits even as unit prices came down. Now, however, the price is on the way up again. The industry has two factors protecting it, the fact that a great deal of solar power installation is legislated for or subsidised and the increase in efficiency and systems that use no silicon at all.
Because of all the reselling, reprocessing, and recycling in the silicon industry, silicon producers don’t keep track of what happens to the silicon once they sell it, he said. "No one on the planet understands what is happening with the silicon supply," [Rogol] said.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Photovoltaic, Polysilicon
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:20 PM
The people's solar house
Mother Earth News on the quest for cheap net-zero-energy houses.
Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Technorati tag: Solar Power
posted by Ian at 7:19 PM
Mother Earth News on the quest for cheap net-zero-energy houses.
Technorati tag: EcoHouse, Technorati tag: Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:19 PM
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Solar Campus
A new building on Napier University's Merchiston Campus is to have solar panels installed on one wall that will power 80 of the building's 500 PCs and sell electricity to the grid on the days the building is empty.The University is also going to be using the array to research the efficiency and effectiveness of the panels.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Green Building
posted by Ian at 7:25 PM
A new building on Napier University's Merchiston Campus is to have solar panels installed on one wall that will power 80 of the building's 500 PCs and sell electricity to the grid on the days the building is empty.The University is also going to be using the array to research the efficiency and effectiveness of the panels.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Green Building
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:25 PM
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Primary Power
This is the sort of thing I hope Tony means when he goes on about "sustainable public procurement". Seaton primary school in Devon has installed solar and wind power generators, which not only cover the shool's own energy needs but can also feed power back to the grid.
Technorati tag: Sustainable Development, Solar Power, Wind Power, Education
posted by Ian at 7:27 PM
This is the sort of thing I hope Tony means when he goes on about "sustainable public procurement". Seaton primary school in Devon has installed solar and wind power generators, which not only cover the shool's own energy needs but can also feed power back to the grid.
Technorati tag: Sustainable Development, Solar Power, Wind Power, Education
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:27 PM
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Off the Grid
A selection of US based, but no doubt useful, photovoltaic links.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:29 PM
A selection of US based, but no doubt useful, photovoltaic links.
Technorati tag: Solar Power, Photovoltaic
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:29 PM
Wear your solar
A new plastic that can be applied as a layer on fabric can convert up to 30% of sunlight to electricity. The inventor sees a way to power mobile devices with the clothes we wear.
via Imprinted
Technorati tag: Solar Power
posted by Ian at 7:28 PM
A new plastic that can be applied as a layer on fabric can convert up to 30% of sunlight to electricity. The inventor sees a way to power mobile devices with the clothes we wear.
via Imprinted
Technorati tag: Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:28 PM
Monday, March 14, 2005
Solar Tower
Land has been purchased- 25,000 acres in Australia- for the world's first large scale Solar Tower, generating electricity by heating air and funneling it up a kilometre high chimney to drive wind turbines.
Technorati tag: Solar Power
posted by Ian at 7:31 PM
Land has been purchased- 25,000 acres in Australia- for the world's first large scale Solar Tower, generating electricity by heating air and funneling it up a kilometre high chimney to drive wind turbines.
Technorati tag: Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:31 PM
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Towers of power
Carbon nanotube towers could boost the efficiency of photovoltaic cells.
via Slashdot
Technorati tag: Solar Energy, Photovoltaic, Carbon nanotube
posted by Ian at 7:33 PM
Carbon nanotube towers could boost the efficiency of photovoltaic cells.
via Slashdot
Technorati tag: Solar Energy, Photovoltaic, Carbon nanotube
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:33 PM
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Grand Designs
The Channel 4 wesite has a page listing the companies involved in builds on Grand Designs. This one is particularly useful, being about the underground house built in Cumbria.
A specific link, for later reference as the site is currently under construction, Sundog Energy- providers of solar panels based in Penrith.
Technorati tag: Solar Power
posted by Ian at 7:36 PM
The Channel 4 wesite has a page listing the companies involved in builds on Grand Designs. This one is particularly useful, being about the underground house built in Cumbria.
A specific link, for later reference as the site is currently under construction, Sundog Energy- providers of solar panels based in Penrith.
Technorati tag: Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:36 PM
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Sun farm
It's possible to retro fit almost any building with solar panels. Take the example of Manchester's CIS tower- soon to have them on all 400 feet of its service tower.
Technorati tag: Solar Power
posted by Ian at 7:37 PM
It's possible to retro fit almost any building with solar panels. Take the example of Manchester's CIS tower- soon to have them on all 400 feet of its service tower.
Technorati tag: Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:37 PM
Friday, October 22, 2004
Solar attractive
For years the complaint about roof mounted photovoltaic panels has been that they're ugly and potentially damaging. But now several companies are bringing out panels that can be fitted as roof tiles. Wired reports on them.
Technorati tag: Solar Power
posted by Ian at 7:39 PM
For years the complaint about roof mounted photovoltaic panels has been that they're ugly and potentially damaging. But now several companies are bringing out panels that can be fitted as roof tiles. Wired reports on them.
Technorati tag: Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic
posted by Ian at 7:39 PM
Clear skies
The DTI funds Clearskies renewable energy grants, which cover solar, wind and water power sources and other systems such as ground source heat pumps.
The site also has a list of approved installers and products which seem comprehensive enough for most projects.
Technorati tag: Solar Power
posted by Ian at 7:38 PM
The DTI funds Clearskies renewable energy grants, which cover solar, wind and water power sources and other systems such as ground source heat pumps.
The site also has a list of approved installers and products which seem comprehensive enough for most projects.
Technorati tag: Solar Power
Labels: photovoltaic, Solar Power Grants
posted by Ian at 7:38 PM
