According to a report by U.S. Solar Market Insight, the US had a record first quarter with 723 MW of solar photovoltaics installed in Q1 2013. This represents a 33 percent increase over Q1 2012 and brings the cumulative US photovoltaic capacity to 7.9 gigawatts. This growth was led by residential installations, which experienced a 53% increase over the same period. Prices for residential systems fell below five dollars a
While photovoltaic cells are certainly one of the best ways to produce clean energy, from a scientific perspective they are actually quite inefficient. In the average solar cell, only about 20% of the solar energy is transferred into usable electricity. This is in contrast to photosynthesis performed by plants, which reaches efficiencies of 95 percent. While in the past, we knew very little about how plants reached these efficiencies, new
Why SolarRoyal uses LG Chem LTD ABS/ASA Plastics (LG Chem Plastics) The SolarRoyal team’s goal was not only to develop a superior product but also to select the right components. Selecting the right components also means selecting the right materials. Materials make all the difference between a quality product and a cheap knock-off. The choice of automotive-grade LG Chem LTD ABS/ASA Plastics over the metal our competitors use for the
Solar Energy Advantages: Solar Phone Chargers As reported by ABCNEWS: Following Hurricane Sandy, you would find citizens of New York City and other affected areas waiting in long lines outside Starbucks and other restaurants are not waiting to buy food, but vying for a chance to charge their cell phones. The city of New York is attempting to prepare for its next emergency by installing solar-powered low draw phone chargers
Its mission to build stronger relationships between scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators in Massachusetts and Switzerland, Swissnex Boston is welcoming the world's largest solar-powered boat to Boston's Fan Pier for its inaugural visit, June 22-26. The first boat to travel around the world exclusively powered by solar energy, the MS Turanor PlanetSolar features 29,160 solar panels and produces zero gasoline or CO2 emissions. Swissnex's Purpose The boat is currently carrying out
MITs Solar System MIT scientists mapped 17,000 rooftops in Cambridge, Mass., providing residents with a web interface to look up their homes and project the cost and return on investment of photovoltaic solar panels. Using satellite imagery and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data from a previous aerial survey to create a 3-D model of Cambridge. Then the team from MIT charted the exact shape of rooftops and possible sunlight
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced Tuesday the approval of three major renewable energy projects in Arizona and Nevada delivering up to 520 MW of renewable energy. What Are the Renewable Energy Projects? The three projects are the 350 MW Midland Solar Energy Project near Boulder City, Nevada, the 70 MW New York Canyon Geothermal Project, near Lovelock, Nevada, and the 100 MW Quartzsite Solar Energy Project, located
100 Gigawatt Milestone 100 Gigawatts! Total worldwide installed solar capacity recently broke the 100 gigawatt milestone. With over 30 gigawatts installed in 2012 alone, it is clear that there is a new push for solar energy. We are excited to see the sector grow so quickly. Wind, often considered a more mature industry, broke the 100-gigawatt global capacity mark in 2008. Let's keep pushing our elected officials to promote SOLAR
Clarita at Morguefile.com EU Countries: renewable energy laws According to recent article by the Wall Street Journal, renewable energy laws put in place by the European Union requiring a certain green energy threshold be met are being skirted by a number of countries. And how are they doing this? Instead of building wind or solar facilities, they are importing woods chips from the United States to use in
Texas Law Protects Solar-powered installs When Jay Squyres planned to install solar panels on his suburban Dallas home, his neighborhood association sued. Luckily for Mr. Squyres, a 2011 Texas law states a homeowner's association must approve an application for renewable energy infrastructure unless the devices cause unreasonable discomfort or annoyance to persons of ordinary sensibilities. Mr. Squyres was able to install his solar panels as published by the Dallas Morning
