One of the concerns that many people have about installing solar panels or solar attic fans is whether they will ever need to clean them. A recently released study by engineers at the University of California at San Diego, that can be found here, shows that even in the harshest, dusty climates with minimal rain, dust will only create a minimal effect on solar efficiency, and in almost all cases,
While it is typical to hear news of worldwide solar installations in the United States and other highly developed counties, today we hear news of solar photovoltaic panels being installed all around Central America. With the high cost of electricity and an underdeveloped electric grid, consumers in these countries are buying up unsubsidized solar panels and installing them though out the region. We are always happy to see countries worldwide
The world's largest solar energy plant, the Ivanpah Solar Plant, located in the Ivanpah Valley of California’s Mojave Desert, is nearing completion. When completed, the solar plant will contain 170,000 mirrors and produce 377 megawatts (MW) of power, more than double the previous record holder of 150 MW, and enough to power more than 140,000 homes. We hope that renewable energy megaprojects such as this one will lead to
When you think of the word’s largest power plants, you probably don’t think renewable energy. However, we can thank hydroelectric--the often forgotten renewable resource--for the world’s four largest power plants. In the graph on the left, you can see how dominant hydroelectric is compared to other renewable resources. We should be excited about the great growth in solar and wind recently but must not forget about our largest renewable resource,
Reviewing the solar panels on the Solar Impulse--the solar plane currently flying across the country--allows us to look at solar efficiency in a new way that not only could affect solar flight but also ceiling exhaust fans and roof fans. The solar panels on the plane are not the best at converting light energy into electric power by the area covered but do excel in terms of weight. The lightweight
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
Today we would like to say happy birthday America. On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain, and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the “land of the free and the home of the brave” so they can begin their American Dream. The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate
Solar Advantages Tesla debutes Tesla Motors has introduced a system is says will allow a swap of a car's battery pack in less time than it takes to fill up a traditional car's gas tank. At a demonstration of the system in California, Tesla chief Elon Musk said battery swap stations will be installed throughout a network of "supercharging" stations the company is installing around the nation, CNN reported Friday.
