by Colin Swan | Apr 1, 2014 | News
Could the Next Solar Panel Revolution be Made of Paper?
As scientists learn more about how solar panels work, they are able to create better, cheaper, and more efficient technology for producing solar power. The latest breakthrough in harnessing this renewable energy source comes in the form of paper PV panels. If these panels prove successful, they could revolutionize the way solar panels are produced.
The new technology uses oxidized wood fibers that are much more transparent than today’s solar panels. The transparency of 96 percent means a more efficient means of capturing the sun’s rays and converting them into solar power. This form of solar cell is also much more affordable than some of the other cells currently on the market.
The paper cells showed that they were able to improve the ability to harness power by ten percent, making them a better option for areas that don’t receive as much direct sunlight as states in the western portion of the US.
Of course, there is also the benefit of a smaller carbon footprint associated with the production of solar panels. Since the production and shipping of panels is the only true source of carbon emissions for solar power, creating a more eco-friendly option for manufacturing can have a profound impact on the environment as well.
Whether or not these new paper panels will gain popularity around the globe remains to be seen. Scientists are still looking into how solar panels work when made from paper, but it is possible that this technology might soon be in homes across the US and around the globe.
by Colin Swan | Feb 25, 2014 | News
Fort Carson is home to 19,000 military personnel, and with a base that big, there is a lot of demand for energy. The government is spearheading an initiative to install a solar power system at the base that will produce 3,200 MWh every year.
For the Army, this isn’t the first venture with solar power, but it is the largest to date. Previous solar projects included military uniforms that have built-in solar panels to reduce the amount of batteries and supplies needed in the field. The Fort Carson solar array takes up 12 acres of land, making it the most aggressive solar effort undertaken by the army to date.
The microgrid will supply energy to the base, and will also be used to charge the batteries of electric trucks that are used by personnel on base. The vehicles have batteries with large capacities, and charging them on the grid gives the military much-needed information about how these trucks could perform in the field for both combat and training.
The Army is looking at innovative technology that can cut costs and enable soldiers to do their jobs better and more efficiently. Military leaders stress that solar energy and their renewables are valuable to their missions as well as their budgets.
Of course, if the solar power system is good enough for the military, it should be good enough for homeowners across the country. As the government sees more advantages to this renewable power source, more and more private citizens will hopefully take action and make the switch to solar power as well.
by Colin Swan | Nov 19, 2013 | News
For most people, saving money is not the biggest reason for installing and making use of solar panels. Most people have a solar panel system installed because they want to reduce their carbon footprint and feel good about the legacy they leave for future generations. Saving money is just one of the side benefits, and you have to be creative when you use it.
Not all areas offer an energy buy-in for customers who share their solar energy with existing power services. You can’t always get a tax break and there are not always programs to offset the cost of a solar power system. However, you can still save money.
You don’t have to tie your solar energy into an existing energy source. You might simply use your solar power in specific places. For instance, you might only use solar energy in your garage or work shop. If you have a separate building where you work on your hobbies, it is the perfect place to use solar energy. In some cases, electric companies charge a fee just to have power going to a separate building, so, even if you don’t use your power supply, you would pay a fee for its potential use. When you install solar panels and use them, you don’t have to pay that fee, and you don’t have to pay for the energy that you do make use of, either. By doing this, you not only reduce your carbon footprint through your choice to use solar energy, but reduce how much energy gets wasted, along with the money you pay on your electric bills.
by Colin Swan | Nov 12, 2013 | News
Tech giant Apple filed a patent application for a device that will allow users to plug their MacBooks and iPhones directly into solar panels to recharge them. The invention is an update on current technology, which requires an extra adapter for anyone hoping to use a solar panel to charge a device. Apple is tapping into one more way to use a solar power system for more than just home electricity.
The new device is designed to work with either a typical AC adapter, or directly through a solar panel. It will feature a cord that simply plugs into a device, and the hope is that phones and computers will charge more efficiently this way, while also reducing the cost of energy used for charging. Users will be able to charge devices even when a conventional wall outlet isn’t available.
This isn’t the first solar patent for which Apple has applied, and the company has not yet stated whether this device will be included in future product offerings. For now, Apple is simply ensuring they hold the rights to this new innovation, so fans of Macs and iPhones will have to wait to see what becomes of this new technology.
Each solar power system in the United States holds the ability to power more than just homes and businesses, and Apple is hoping to capitalize on this initiative. Combined with previous patent applications and an announcement that at least one manufacturing facility will be operated by solar power, the company is positioning itself as a future leader in solar power technology.
by Colin Swan | Nov 7, 2013 | News
Solar Panels May Work Better with Music
While scientists may have thought they knew exactly how solar panels work, researchers in London have unearthed new solar energy facts about this renewable energy source. It turns out that solar panels may work better when listening to music—and not just any kind of music—they work better when listening to upbeat pop songs.
The panels obviously do not actually listen to the music, but the vibrations from music being played near solar panels can positively affect the power output from each panel. Researchers experimented with several types of music, but found that classical music was not as effective as pop or rock, which has more high-pitched notes. The music does not have to be loud to show an effect; researchers noted better solar panel performance at just 75 decibels.
Since the research has shown a definite link between better solar panel performance and pop music, it may be possible to use this information not only to improve the functioning of solar panels for homes, but also solar powered cars, trains, buses, and personal electronic devices, all of which can be used with music quite easily.
The promise of research such as this study shows that there are still many solar energy facts that have yet to be learned. Optimizing solar panels through the use of music may change the way we approach solar energy, and could help panels become more efficient in climates that do not receive a lot of direct sunlight. This renewable resource holds much promise as a dependable source of clean, natural energy.
