Solar-Panel Windows closer to reality thanks to Quantum Dot Breakthrough

Solar panels that also work as windows are getting closer to become a fact as a big boost in quantum dot research could imply important ways in which the solar rays are captured in the future. The Los Alamos National Laboratory and University of Milano-Bicocca’s researchers arranged a better way of inserting a new generation of quantum in a thin polymer to capture the sun’s energy.

Qantum dot discoveries help solar-based windows become a fact

Solar power windows

The nanocrystals consisted of semiconductor materials, quantum dots, are being utilized in solar panel systems thanks to the low-cost and mechanical benefits, and transistors, LEDs and lasers also.

“The key accomplishment is the demonstration of large-area luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) that use a new generation of specially engineered quantum dots,” said Victor Klimov, lead researcher at the Centre of Advanced Solar Photophysics at Los Alamos.

The new discoveries were published in Nature Photonics and they prove that a transparent LSC material is able to harvest and transport solar energy with the help of quantum dots.

“The LSC serves as a light-harvesting antenna which concentrates solar radiation collected from a large area onto a much smaller solar cell, and this increases its power output,” said Klimov.

The harvested light is diverged through the LSC and guided to a tiny solar cell the slab’s edge, that grows the power performance in a way that could have developed applications in future solar cells.

Gained eficiency with Quantum Dot

Sergio Brovelli, a researcher involved in the study at the University of Milano-Bicocca, said: “LSCs are especially attractive because in addition to gains in efficiency, they can enable new interesting concepts, such as photovoltaic windows that can transform house facades into large-area energy generation units.”

PV is celebrating its 60th years anniversary since it’s big boost

Palo Alto, a city from the American state California will be a part of the sponsoring team of the event commemorating solar energy’s big breakthrough.

The City of Palo Alto and Renewables 100 Policy Institute will join forces and to pay tribute to scientists that started today’s booming solar industry.

A nonprofit organization that is responsible for the big breakthrough of solar industry and is aiming to bring it to 100% will cosponsor the PV 60 – History Becoming the Future, a celebration of the solar industry big boost. The event will take place on the 18th this month at the Lucie Stern Community Center.

Solar PV history

Ssolar PV 60th anniversary

In 1954, scientist from an important lab in the U.S proved that the world’s very first solar cell that was able to transform sufficient sunlight onto electricity in order to generate electricity. This happening will celebrate Dr. Mort Prince who is 90 years old and is the last person that is still alive from the team of designers of the of the 1954 original demonstration photovoltaic arrays. Dr. Mort inspected the manufacturing of solar cells for the Vanguard that was the first solar satellite that started the solar industry and later headed the U.S. photovoltaic program under Pres. Jimmy Carter. Eugene Ralph collaborated with Prince on Vanguard’s first solar cells for space will be participating as well.

The hosting city will also be given recognition and will receive an award, the History Becoming the Future Award for using 100% free of carbon electricity for its community.

“Palo Alto is a living demonstration of history becoming the future” said Diane Moss, founding director of the Renewables 100 Policy Institute, organizer of the event, according to pv-magazin. “The City’s commitment to an all renewable energy electricity portfolio is remarkable, and we’re delighted to pay tribute to their bold leaders, along with the visionaries who helped make it all possible by launching the global solar industry back in the 1950s.”

Palo Alto Mayor Nancy Shepherd will accept the award on behalf of the City

“We are honored to be the recipient of this award recognizing the City’s efforts to create a healthy and sustainable community,” Mayor Shepherd said. “The City has long been a leader in pursuing initiatives to increase our community’s environmental sustainability. Committing to using only carbon neutral electric resources is one of many positive steps the City has taken toward combating climate change.”

People who attend will be able to see exhibited artifacts that have never been exposed. This will include things like Bell Laboratories modules, archival photos and films, and former top secret papers that chronicle solar’s remarkable first 60 years.
Solar historian and author John Perlin, that participated in the exhibitions for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the California Energy Commission and will add his observations based on his latest book Let It Shine: The 6000-Year Story of Solar Energy, which experts are calling the “solar bible,” and “the authoritative background story on the world solar revolution.”

The gorvernment in Poland prepared green energy bills

In Poland, 90% of the electricity is produced from conventional sources, coal to be specific. Still, the country is looking forward to grow the green energy level by 15% by 2020 in order to respect the European Union’s targets.

The parliament in Poland and its president needs to decide on the new draft law.

Solar energy bills to be introduced in Poland

Poland prepares renewable energy bills

The country’s government decided to agree on a bill during this week, a bill regarding green energy projects that have the purpose to help reach the European Union climate targets and bring electricity costs for consumers down.

If the parliament and Bronisław Komorowski, the country’s president, accept the law, it means that planners and holders of recently developed renewable installations can sell the produced electricity at sell-offs for a formerly announced price that will not change for 15 years as a Reuters report says.

Green energy power developers that are already in the business have the freedom to preserve their subsidies or choose to join the auctions.

The new voted laws have been discussed by the government for two years now

The European country produces almost 100% of the electric power from coal and it’s obliged to bring up the level of clean energy to at least 15% of the total until 2020 to be in line with Eu regulations on carbon emissions.

Green energy supporters have been criticizing Poland’s foggy legal environment that has been standing in the way of new investments and preventing a major development in renewable projects.

The country’s former subsidy program did not supply long-term guarantees. European governments have been reducing subsidies and the European Commission this week announced new guidelines, that will be valid starting from July and market-based initiatives will be replacing renewable energy subsidies.

Domestic PV in danger because of the Ukraine crisis

Not a good time for domestic PV as the Ukraine crisis moves on

Ukrain PV in times of trouble

The situation in Ukraine is threatening the European country’s incipient PV industry as the necessary changes in Crimea take place. Employees in the PV industry’s is not the greatest position and the people there have been wrecked by the country’s crisis. PV magazine reveals the opinions of two anonymous employees from Activ Solar. As one of them reports, Vienna-based Activ Solar has no future projects and they are cutting people off. “A lot of people were already fired. For me, the last day in this company is known as well,” were his words. The other source said the same thing and he added that “the company is now optimizing costs at all levels with no additional staff, except maintenance for the existing plants.”

The company finished the work on a 69.7 MW PV facility in Crimea. Moreover, Activ Solar was amog the best PV developers in Ukraine as they planted 127 MW of capacity only in Q1 2013.

The most Active domestic PV company in Ukraine has troubles

As far as the future plans are concerned, the company says: “The current political instability and the ensuing tensions have caused a severe disruption of economic activity in Ukraine. We are closely monitoring the ongoing political discussions and developments. We expect the situation to remain difficult for the foreseeable future causing a slowdown in economic activities. In this environment of sustained uncertainty, Activ Solar remains cautious regarding undertaking new projects until the situation in the country stabilizes,” as PV magazine reports.

The ongoing projects are not being stopped but the future ones don’t have the same fate. “The current Crimean government has already commented on solar parks in Crimea, saying that now they are a vital part of the energy infrastructure in the peninsula and will continue to generate power. However, the question is open as to who pays for the solar electricity and at what rate. Most of the solar projects in Crimea were financed by Russian banks so I would assume that very soon we will see a sudden growth of the cumulative solar capacity in Russia.”

PV in Crimees no longer bought

Energorynok’s officially announced this month that they no longer buying energy made in Crimea. The energy company in Ukraine says that the country adopted the draft resolution with 9 out of 9 votes.

The COO at Hamburg-based Enerparc, the company that installed Russia’s biggest power plant says that. “All the power plants in Crimea have been annexed by the Russians so they are not being paid by the Ukrainian government. And there is no discussion as to what will happen with the plants if they degrade, even if the plants are now Russian.”

Coloured solar panels for building exterior introduced by Antec Solar

New thin film coloured panels are available for building integration

Colored PV

Antec Solar’s thin-film applications are accessible terracotta, green and blue.

Antec’s new product line is named ATFKrom and it is considered a premiere as it is made of the the first coloured photovoltaic modules for façade integration. This modules are built thanks to the company’s thin-film technology and are ready for use in colours like terracotta, green and blue.

New coloured solar panels

The new photovoltaic modules of the ATFKrom product line are supplied with an exclusive solar glass. The new patented solar glass is responsible for the persistent and aesthetically refined presence. The new basic photovoltaic technology is now close to being invisible. Antec Solar GmbH uses the exclusive Kromatix™ solar glass of SwissINSO, a company founded in Lausanne (Switzerland).

Tailor-made solutions for any facade
Norbert Kreft, CTO of Antec Solar GmbH believes that “It is the first time that a glass technology is available providing coloured solar panels which can be integrated in a way, that they act look like normal cladding. With this innovative solar glass architects, developers, installers and private investors will now receive a high-quality aesthetic solution, which so far did not exist – and that at a high efficiency.This enables us, to deliver tailored solutions for every facade and in virtually any PV technology ” The customers are free to choose the colour, the format, the form and needed amount of panels.

Coloured solar panels for building integration

Moreover, Antec Solar delivers with the product line ATCKrom coloured modules for building integration based on intermediate products found in nearly all PV technology. Taking into account the requirements, favorite appearance and requested design, the user can pick the right technology and achieve the desired energy output.

Europe goes green as solar energy costs the same as conventional power in Germany, Italy and Spain

Solar costs the same as conventional

European PV has reached a point where the green power costs the same as conventional power in countries like Germany, Italy and Spain. This is shown in a report that also says that the fact that stops other countries to be in the same position is the high installation costs.

Solar energy is as profitable as conventional power

The form Eclareon made an analysis made in the interest of international group of sustainable energy interests. The study shows that solar energy joined the energy market. This means that solar is no longer much more expensive than conventional light. On the contrary, clean energy has reached the point where solar energy is at the same price as Italy, Spain and Germany
Still, the report also shows future prospects in Spain are not so good as the poor regulations could constrain the progress.

Solar energy costs in Europe

“In countries such as Italy and Germany, both at grid parity and with proper regulation, PV systems (photovoltaic system) for self-consumption represent a viable, cost-effective, and sustainable power generation alternative,” are David Pérez’s word, partner at Eclareon in charge of the study.

Researchers analyzed a 30 kilowatt solar power system regarding the leveled cost of energy. This includes installation, maintenance, depreciation and investment.

Solar energy cost arround the world

Eclareon also analyzed the LCOE of solar power in Brazil, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico and Spain. The report says that LCOE is smaller in the past years, even if the drop was less big in well-developed countries such as Italy, Germany and Spain. Progress in Brazil, Chile and Mexico is still impeded by high installation costs.

The rise of solar in Germany is based on the fact that the country stopped its support for nuclear energy since the unfortunate events in Japan. Two years ago the country was producing a record of 22 gigawatts of power that is about 50 percent of the nation’s power quota.

“Never before anywhere has a country produced as much photovoltaic electricity. Germany came close to the 20 gigawatt (GW) mark a few times in recent weeks. But this was the first time we made it over,” Norbert Allnoch told Reuters news agency.

Heliatek GmbH set new record regarding efficiency for 40% transparent cells

Organic PV efficiency record

An organic film producer, Heliatek, has reached a new milestone in regarding efficiency reaching 7.2% while tested. This progress could help cars and BIPV field.

The German producers report that they set a new record for transparent organic solar cells efficiency, reaching 7.2% at a 40% transparency.

Heliatek GmbH also set the record for non-transparent solar cells and is willing to reach a bigger conversion for transparent cells and thinks that this achievement means a lot for the building integrated PV field.

New efficiency record set by Heliatek

“The transparency of our products is at the core of our market approach.Our HeliaFilm is customized to meet our partners’ specific needs. We are a component supplier and this component is a film that can combine transparency and energy generation. This unique combination widens our market potential.” said Heliatek CEO Thibauld Le Seguillon.

The patented HeliaFilm can be used on dyed glass and is also good for the roofs of the cars for harvesting solar electricity and lead to a cleaner environment by lowering carbon emissions. As for the building integration, the new build transparent cells can generate solar power without interfering with the building design.

Efficiency record in global solar industry

Even if the efficiency is smaller than the one given by the non-transparent cells, this achievement is a premiere in the global PV industry as it is a world record. Semi-transparency means that only 60% of the light is for producing energy, so as far as 40% transparent cells are concerned, this record is a surge for the technology.

Producers announce that the equilibrium between light diffusion and electricity can be adapted, fact that allows more adjustments for the future use of the product.

The new-generation PV to be developed by First Solar and GE

First Solar, Inc. and GE's Power Conversion work for next-gen technology

PV comapnies to develop a more efficient way to produce a better utility-scale PV power plant design

First Solar, Inc. and GE’s Power Conversion business are willing to use a new technology to develop a more efficient way to produce a better utility-scale PV power plant design made out of First Solar’s this film CdTe modules and GE’s new ProSolar 1,500-volt inverter system. The latter is more efficient than the usual systems. The combined technologies bring a more efficient way to produce energy.

New-generation PV updated by First Solar

The next-generation solar technology was already adopted by First Solar and adapted for the 1,500-volt DC applications. If the inverter/transformer station is put together with this new development, a better working power plant design is created. This way the solar array grows and the number of inverters needed for each plant decreases. The inverters needed to convert the direct current or DC into alternating current or AC transport the energy to the grid. This type of system means a highly efficient way of obtaining energy from the economic and maintenance point of view.

Mahesh Morjaria, First Solar’s vice president of product management announced that “this is a significant step in establishing the next generation of utility-scale PV power plants. Partnering with an industry giant such as GE, we are able to take our power plant design to the next level and bring additional value to our customers.” Morjaria also believes that future generations of First Solar modules will have a better optimization thanks to the purchase of GE thin film PV technology.

New-generation solar inverters

“GE is known throughout the industry as an established leader in power generation technology. With our ProSolar inverters, we were able to draw from our experience developing and manufacturing technology for traditional power plants to create a highly efficient solution with industry-leading capabilities. The inverters’ design enables our customers to apply engineering design that significantly increases efficiency of energy production. Together with First Solar, we can help customers get the most out of their solar power systems,” is the opinion of Joe Mastrangelo, CEO of GE Power Conversion.

America Navy wants solar energy directly from space

Navy space solar panels

For many years the Pentagon has been the number 1 oil consumer in the world. The continuous rise of prices has determined the military to research other ways to get energy. These researches expanded till space.

A new technology that will give the military the possibility to collect solar energy in orbit and take it to earth is being developed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). Space solar energy will save the Pentagon a great deal of money, and could also simplify military arrangements. Fuel tankers wouldn’t need to reach remote or volatile areas, and missions couild be lnger.

Until now, NRL tried a couple of prototypes for the “sandwich” module, a design innovation that combines the electrical components in the two square panels. The top is made of a photovoltaic panel that takes in the light. In the middle there is an electronics system that transforms the energy to a radio frequency, and at the bottom there is an antenna that takes the power to a target on the ground.

The final project is to group the modules in space by robots and form a one kilometer satellite.

Another design, a “step” module, opens the sandwich design so it can receive more energy without the risk of overheating.

“Launching mass into space is very expensive,” said Paul Jaffe, a spacecraft engineer leading the Navy’s project.

It is said that space solar could produce a bigger quantity of energy than ground-based collectors because of the fact that the weather wouldn’t be an impediment.

“People might not associate radio waves with carrying energy, because they think of them for communications, like radio, TV, or cell phones. They don’t think about them as carrying usable amounts of power.” added Jaffe.

Researchers from the UK are working on solar panels that are more efficient during cloudy days

ould friendly solar cells were discovered

British researchers discovered cells that work in cloudy regions

British scientists from a famous Laboratory have been working on the next generation of solar panels that work better when it’s clouded.

The material they are using very thin and can have any color. It can also be printed in sheets on a 3D printer.

Even if the necessary procedures is only beginning to develop, scientists are being optimistic about it and say that very soon they will make the solar PV market and we will see them on coats or bags and we will be able to charge our phones or laptops with them.

Another big advantage of this type of solar PV panels is that they are easier to install on houses because they don’t require fortifying of the roofs and they would be invisible so they world’t bother homeowners.

The concept raised the curiosity of car manufacturers such as Fiat and Ford, which are interested if they could install such panels on the roofs of their cars and replace flat batteries.

The solar cells we know contain semi-conductors like crystalline silicon. So when the lights gets to them a part of the energy is taken in and kicks electrons loose in the silicon that can be lead into a current and withdrawn for external use. This new technology has small organic molecules as semi conductors that can be mixed in and printed in any shape with a 3D printer.

What’s more intriguing about this new type of material is the fact that as opposed to traditional panels that work better in direct sunlight, they function extremely well when the sunlight is not direct or strong.

Researchers tested the new organic photovoltaic material in desert conditions and it reached a 10% efficiency and in cloudy conditions it went up to 13%.

The main research scientist at the National Physical Laboratory Dr. Fernando Castro, believes that “Organic photovoltaics work much better in low and diffused light conditions. Even if it’s cloudy they still work. It’s not that they are going to produce more power but they are more efficient at generating power from the light that is available. So they would work better than normal soar cells do in cloud.”

The new material is going to be less expensive and more environmentally friendly than the old solar cells.