Category: Solar PhotoVoltaics

Intersolar Europe 2011

Intersolar 2011 will take place in June 8-10 in Munich, Germany.

This year Intersolar Europe expects about 2.000 international exhibitors to fill the 165.000 square meter exhibition space.

The exhibition will span a total of 15 exhibition halls, three more than last year.

The organizers expect 2.500 participants.

Special Exhibition PV Energy World, a new feature, will address the possibilities of PV grid integration.

It will also present the German energy mix of the future and the role PV is expected to play in it.

The accompanying program will complement the variety of innovations on display in the areas of photovoltaic, PV production technology and solar thermal technology.

Professionals from industry, commerce and trade, suppliers and institutions expected a larger program with conferences, seminars, workshops and lectures on the latest industry trends and teaching of practical know-how.

Intersolar Europe as a world-leading makes this a specific, personal exchange of valuable information on products, markets and services.

A new portable eco-lantern

This new invention allows growing a little plant inside, the eco-lantern is designed by Franklin Gaw.

Eco-Lantern works as a complete bio-environment for a little plant that grows in its belly and also serving the primary purpose of lighting.

Eco-Lantern is a hand-held lantern that doubles up as a terrarium for tree saplings using a growth light as the light source.

The top of the lantern enable you to reach inside and set up the plant with pebbles for water retention, moist soil, moss and finally the plant itself.

The powered light functions as a growth light, mimicing the color and temperature of the sun’s rays.

The eco-lantern uses an integrated flexible solar panel to charge.

Japan: Prime Minister promote renewable energy

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the government will focus more on the development of renewable energy, like solar and wind power.

“Japan needs to review its energy policy while seeking safer ways to secure nuclear power,” Kan told a gathering of reporters on Tuesday.

The Japanese government will promote renewable energy and create a more energy-efficient society.

The country goal is to have renewable power account for 20 percent of the country’s total electricity output by 2030.

A new solar powered iPhone dock, the Eton Soulra XL Solar Dock

The new arrival in the iPhone market is the accessory Eton Soulra XL Solar Dock.

This one uses a retractable solar panel which powers on the dock’s speakers, allowing for 5 hours of playback on a full charge.

This is a perfect way to have fun with you iPhone either the pool or camping.

It has a 72 sq inch solar panel that soaks in enough sunrays to power on the speakers that boast an output of 22W.

Your gadget will work so long as the sun shines bright.

You can buy the Eton Soulra XL Solar Dock for just $300.

Boeing goes green with solar panels

Boeing has entered a partnership with South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G) to provide 100% renewable energy at the production site for the Boeing 787 airplane.

Airplane makers, Boeing, have decided to go green with 100% renewable energy!

20% of this energy will be generated from thin-film solar laminate panels owned, installed and maintained by SCE&G.

The installation will be located on the roof of the facility and it’ll be the sixth largest of its kind in the United States.

Boeing 787 will be designed to consume less fuel and produce fewer emissions.

The solar installation will provide up to 2.6 megawatts of electrical power for the facility, enough to light up 250 average homes.

The site will also have point-of-use containers as well as recycling centers.

China’s goal is 50 GW of solar power by 2020

China, the world’s largest polluter will make more investments in renewable energy.

China has some of the globe’s worst air and water quality but has an economy growing.

China doubled its target for solar power capacity to 50 gigawatts for 2020 because his power requirement is one of the highest in the world.

China vast experience in building solar panels will help her in building the necessary infrastructure for its own solar power needs.

Beijing has ordered safety inspections of the country’s nuclear plants and “temporarily” suspended approval of new and proposed projects following the disasters in Japan, but has said it will continue to develop the technology.

China hopes its installed solar power capacity will reach 10 gigawatts by 2015 and 50 gigawatts by the end of the decade.

Homemade solar panels

There are a lot of benefits to build your own solar panel.

You can save a ton of money being your own installer, renewable energy is a future field and you can help the planet at the same time.

The first thing you must do is find a good guide even if it cost more it can also save you a lot of money in the long run.

Also you can find online a lot of free information about building solar panels.

You shouldn’t buy broken solar cells, choose a high quality backing material given that your solar panels are expected to last 25-40 years, you want to make sure your backing material lasts that long as well.

The final wiring can be tricky and you’ll need a professional electrician.

You have to  keep your system charged if you use batteries.

Keeping your batteries 50-80% charged will give them longer lives.

Solar Powered Lanterns – donated to Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures

Panasonic donated 4,000 pieces Solar Powered Lantern to Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, hoping that they’ll help add a bit of comfort and assistance to those who have been hit hardest by the quake.
Panasonic states, “One of the models also include USB output which can be used to recharge mobile phones. We hope that the products will be able to bring light in midst the situation, especially where electrical supply is still limited. Panasonic Group and its employees sincerely hope for swift recovery of the people and areas affected by the disaster.”
A solar Lantern is produced of three essential elements – the solar cell panel, the battery and the lamp. The procedure is really easy. The solar energy is reformed to electric energy by the solar cell panel and put in a sealed maintenance-free battery for later apply during the night hours. A single charge can work the lamp for around 4-5 hours.
Source: www.treehuger.com

The Solar and Wind Expo 2011

In Maryland The Expo will be held at the Timonium Fairgrounds May 13 through May 15, located right in the heart of the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area.
In Pennsyvannia The Solar and Wind Expo will be held June 10th through the 12th 2011 at the Valley Forge Convention Center, which is located in King of Prussia is directly across from Valley Forge National Park.
Attendees will browse exhibits and hear top experts in the field of green technology speak in the comfort of an air-conditioned venue with ample parking, as well as being located off of major public transportation routes.
“The best renewable energy event of the year!  The Solar & Wind Expo was well marketed, managed and attended and far exceeded our expectations even with Sunday being Mother’s day!”
Source: thesolarandwindexpo.com

Why solar powered garden lights?

There are many ways to accentuate a garden’s beauty without the brilliant light of the midday sun, and this can be easily achieved through the use of solar powered garden lights.
Why solar powered garden lights? There are several major reasons for selecting a solar powered fixture over a traditional “hard wired” option. For instance, in order to use and operate a hard wired fixture a home or property owner may have to hire a professional electrician to install the proper exterior fixtures and wires. What kind of outdoor solar lights are available? A gardener could easily, and at a relatively affordable cost, light their entire yard or garden. There are sets of lighting fixtures intended to line an entire sidewalk or pathway, and there are also lighting fixtures meant to be used as accent or solar spot lights to illuminate a particular area of the yard or a specimen tree or bush, and there are even lights intended to be attached to flag poles and properly light a flying flag during the hours of darkness.
One of the major benefits of using solar powered lighting fixtures for the yard or garden is that their cost free operation will almost immediately “repay” the owner the initial cost of investing in the lights.
As light generating device most garden solar lights use LED’s. A LED is small light embittering semiconductor (diodes). Compared to regular light bulbs they use very little energy. A light bulb converts about 5% of the absorbed energy to light and a LED about 83%.

Source: www.solarlighting.com