Saturday, September 3rd, 2011
Fascinating Study On Solar Panel Structure by 13 Year Old Boy
A kid from New York studied leaf placement on trees, and how they relate to Fibonacci sequences, in order to make more efficient solar panel arrays. Very cool. http://www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/youngnaturalistawards/2011/aidan.html
Comments Off - Posted in Solar by Mark
Sunday, November 29th, 2009
Underground Solar Panel: So Crazy It Just Might Work
Two new solar photovoltaic technologies. New and exciting, but not on the market yet. Underground solar panels, and Fiber Optic Photovoltaics. Read the article here.
Comments Off - Posted in Solar by Mark
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
New Technology May Lead to More Efficient Solar Panels
Those crazy scientists! I’m telling ya. Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a nanostructure film that may help solar panels reach new levels of efficiency by trapping more photons and letting less energy escape from reflection. This could be a big deal. Any gain in effieciency matters, and if we string enough of them [...]
Comments Off - Posted in Solar by Mark
Saturday, March 21st, 2009
Cylindrical Solar Cell Maker Gets First Green Federal Loan Guarantee
The company that makes a new type of solar cell that is cylindrical, instead of the classic flat-panel, has received the first Federal Loan Guarantee for an alternative energy company. These new solar panels are expected to produce 20% more electricity than flat panels, and offer better performance on overcast days. Read the article here.
Comments Off - Posted in Solar by Mark
Sunday, September 16th, 2007
Convert Your VW Into an Electric Vehicle!
Yes it’s true! You can convert your VW into an electric car with the kits available at e-volks.com. It’s pretty amazing really. I read about this website in Make magazine, and it looks really cool. The guy in the article made his car not only electric, but solar as well, by putting a $350 solar [...]
3 Comments » - Posted in DIY Projects,Solar by Mark
Thursday, February 15th, 2007
Thin-Film Solar Bags Charge Your Device Anywhere
Reware has a trio of nice-looking bags that have thin-film solar panels built right into them. I have not seen the product with my own eyes, or tested it in any way, but they look really cool. Check it out for yourself: Reware solar bags Check out the Power Pockets while you’re there, and they [...]
Comments Off - Posted in Gadgets & Products,Solar by Mark
Tuesday, October 24th, 2006
General Motors Goes Solar, with Some Help from Some Friends.
The idea of solar power holds spectacular promise. The Sun is, after all, the Sun. However, for most people, or corporations, the startup costs of installing a solar power system outweigh the financial return. It will take years to recoup the cost of putting up solar panels. However, if incentives are available to help consumers [...]
Comments Off - Posted in Solar by Pete Lauf
Friday, September 8th, 2006
Solar Fan (part 2)
Read part one here if you haven’t already seen it. I put the new larger motor that I got at American Science and Surplus into my solar fan. Unfortunately even though the guy tested it for me in the store, the juice that my solar panels were giving it just wasn’t enough to spin it [...]
Comments Off - Posted in DIY Projects,Solar by Mark
Monday, June 12th, 2006
Renewable Energy Featured in Portland Rose Festival
This year at the Portland Rose Festival, the Waterfront Village had its power supplied from new wind farms in Oregon and Washington. To add to the Renewable Energy awesomeness, Portland General Electric made a float for the big parade that shows off “energy-related sustainable technology.” Read more about PGE’s contributions to renewable energy and the [...]
Comments Off - Posted in Wind by Mark
Wednesday, June 7th, 2006
Construction Crews Lead the Way with Solar Equippment
I’ve been seeing more and more solar panels on construction and municipal equippment lately. From solar powered flashing lights in school zones, to solar call boxes and message signs on the highway, renewable energy is popping up all over and making life better by providing power in remote areas.
