Earth Abundant Solar

IBM has developed a new solar cell technology that utilizes earth abundant materials to drive down the currently high cost of photovoltaics. They recently published their findings in Advanced Materials and, while they are not looking to go into production of solar cells, would like to partner with solar cell manufacturers to demonstrate the technology.

These new cells utilize Copper (Cu), Tin (Sn), Zinc (Zn), Sulfur (S) and/or Selenium (Se) which are comparatively more abundant than the Copper (Cu), Indium (In), Gallium (Ga), and Selenium (Se) that typical film cells use. These innovations still maintain pretty decent efficiency at 9.6%, a 40% increase over previous attempts to make solar cells of similar materials.

“Other solar cells which perform at similar efficiency levels are comprised of materials that have been either too costly to produce or contain elements that could limit production capacity, or have poor prospects for further improvements in efficiency, making commercialization and wide usage less likely,” said Thomas Theis, director of physical sciences at IBM’s T.J. Watson Research Lab, in a blog post.

With some additional research and innovation, the new solar technology could become an economically viable alternative to current solar methods. This would require a boost in efficiency to 12% but the long-term manufacturing potential is much greater as the materials used are abundant enough to meet our rising need for alternative energy.

Via Treehugger and cnet.

Related Posts
From Photosynthesis to Photovoltaics
Day4 Energy Has Introduced A New Solar Panel Technology
The New Look of Solar
Solé Tiles: An Integrated Solar Solution For Clay Tile Roofing

Beam Down, Lower Costs

Standard solar power towers have been working fantastically and have proven to be an efficient and eco-friendly source of energy. It, however, can get better. A new and improved system that utilizes primarily the same solar energy attaining method is in the works at the Masdar Institute, the Tokyo Institute of Technology and Cosmo Oil.

Instead of building heat capturing systems at the top of large towers, which results in very expensive construction due to more intense fluid pumping, an extra set of mirrors will be used to direct captured light down towards the ground to be caught in a liquid filled tank under the tower. The fluid boils to about 500 degrees Celsius and subsequently goes through the general process of generating electricity.

Because of the extra step in the solar thermal process, efficiency is reduced by 15 to 19 percent. Improvements are sure to occur with further research. On the other hand, energy and cost in construction and processing are also reduced because fluids do not have to be pumped up into a high tower.

Mateo Chiesa, a researcher and professor at the Masdar Institute, estimates that the shorter, beam down tower prototype will generate about 100 kilowatts of power. Masdar hopes to be the first to gear this sort of solar thermal tower commercially.

This project is in its early, prototyping phases. Be sure to keep an eye out for further beam down news.

Via ecogeek and Greentech Media.

Related Posts
A Closed-Loop Environment For Your Window Sill
Sexy Solar Energy
The New Look Of Solar
Day4 Energy Has Introduced A New Solar Panel Technology

From Photosynthesis to Photovoltaics

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have found a way to grow photovoltaic cells using tobacco. According to their recently published article in Nano Letters, Matt Francis and his team have developed a method of tweaking the genetic material of the tobacco mosaic virus to create chromophores, tiny molecular structures that turn light into high powered electrons.

The team tweaks the virus and sprays it over a crop of adult tobacco plants where it takes over cell function to create the tightly coiled chromophore structures. Normally, the virus would hijack the cells to replicate itself. The scientists have capitalized on this natural ability and reworked the genetics of the virus to their advantage. The chromophore structure is hundreds of nanometers long and about three nanometers away from its neighbor. The spacing matters. One atom closer and the electrical current would be hindered. One atom farther apart and the structures would be impossible to harvest.

“Over billions of years, evolution has established exactly the right distances between chromophore to allow them to collect and use light from the sun with unparalleled efficiency,” said Matt Francis. “We are trying to mimic these finely tuned systems using the tobacco mosaic virus.”

The tobacco is then harvested and cut up into little pieces and the chromophores are extracted and dissolved in a liquid solution. That solution can then be sprayed on various substrates that have been coated to make them stick.

While the biodegradable photovoltaic cells are not as efficient and will not last as long as their synthetic counterparts, they do not require any harmful chemicals to produce and are a potentially much cheaper alternative. The genetic technology has other uses on the horizon as well. Photosynthesis naturally captures sunlight and turns it into chemical energy. While this current development creates electricity from the sun’s energy, it is possible to create photochemical cells that will turn the light into high powered hydrocarbons for use as fuel for cars or airplanes.

The technology promises to have huge impacts on our energy uses as well as the agricultural industry, putting out of work farmers to work harvesting large tobacco crops. Commercial production is still years in the future and the scientists have yet to demonstrate that the cells can turn light into chemical or electrical energy, though they hope to do so soon.

Via Treehugger and Discovery News.

Related Posts
Day4 Energy Has Introduced A New Solar Panel Technology
The New Look of Solar
Sony “Bio Battery” Generates Electricty From Glucose
MIT Researchers Develop Virus-Build Battery

A Closed-Loop Environment For Your Window Sill

Exterior application. Rendering by Beth Soucy via xClinic.

Bird refuge detail. Rendering by Beth Soucy via xClinic.

The Solar Awning now being developed by xClinic (short for Environmental Health Clinic + Lab) offers a complete closed-loop environment. Intended for residential and commercial use, the all-inclusive system offers shading from the awning, solar energy generation, bird sanctuary, and a vegetable garden.

The awning itself is an attractive alternative to traditional solar panels, incorporating the photovoltaic panels into the design of window awnings. The application of solar technology to window treatments is intended to capitalize on the vertical arrangement of urban environments. But the awning is more than meets the eye, it contains two layers of paneling with the first being vertically slatted and second containing strategically placed apertures. As the sun migrates over the awning throughout the day, it travels through the slats of the first layer at varying angles, hitting the apertures below and casting a light/shadow-generated animation on the floor of the room of rehabilitating bird species. The awning will generate enough electricity to charge electronics or power the GreenLight, another xClinic product designed to reduce indoor VOCs.

In addition to these solar innovations, the Solar Awning is intended to be a fully-integrated environmental system. Underneath the awning, utilizing the awning supports for structure, is an area designed for bird nesting and rehabilitation. Netting is strung between the two supports intended to create habitats for bird species otherwise being pushed out of urban areas.

Following the growing interest in urban agriculture, the Solar Awning also incorporates a vegetable garden. Quite the a-typical flower box, the vegetable garden hangs below the awning and bird nesting area in a durable origami-type structure made from tyvek. Tyvek is a durable paper-like material and is used in this application to reduce danger to pedestrians were one of the boxes to fall. The falling excrement from the nesting area will contribute the fertilization of the garden.

The Solar Awning is still under development but will be under-going pilot installation on the Bronx River Arts Center (BRAC) and NYU student housing.

Check out the video here.

Related Posts
Urban Agriculture In A Shrinking City
The New Look of Solar
Portable Solar Panels on The Rise in The UK
Daniel Schipper’s Foldable Greenhouse

Solé Tiles: An Integrated Solar Solution For Clay Tile Roofing

Solé Power Tiles are electricity-generating “barrel-style” tiles which can be installed in an integrated way with US Tile’s traditional clay tile roofing. The Solé Power Tiles install like a standard tile with no penetrations into the tile itself. The benefit to the consumer or developer is that the solar components are not readily visible.

Solar energy is a renewable alternative to power plants that burn fossil fuels, finite resources that contribute to pollution, global warming, as well as the reliance on imports for our energy security. Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight into electricity, powering everything from lamps to air conditioners in a residential or commercial building.

In PV systems, direct current (DC) electricity is produced. Appliances and machinery, however, operate on alternating current (AC). The DC energy produced by the panels is fed into an inverter that converts the DC power into AC power, which then feeds into the main electrical panel that powers a home or business. Any excess generation is fed back into the utility grid. Over a year, as a utility customer, your electricity bill is reduced by the energy you produce.

To learn more visit ustile.com and srsenergy.com.

Related Posts
MIT Graduates Develop a Color-changing Roof Tile
The New Look of Solar
Solar Impulse, Around the World in a Solar Airplane
Cheaper Solar Cells
Samsung Blue Earth – The First Solar Powered Touchscreen Phone

Weatherizing Buildings 101

Image via www.thebarrierinsulation.com

Did you know that in 2004 residential buildings in the United States used 21 percent of the nations energy consumption? The *2030 challenge demands that existing buildings reduce fossil-fuel dependence by 50 percent. Weatherization can help fight global warming by reducing the heating and cooling requirements of buildings. It involves building remodeling with the goal of improving energy performance. Weatherization can also be part of the triple bottom line by increasing the comfort of occupants and saving the planet while reducing energy costs. While energy savings can be achieved through new technologies such as solar panels or solar water heating systems, addressing energy saving through weatherization is a cost effective first step.

TOP 3 RENOVATIONS ESSENTIAL TO WEATHERIZATON

1. Seal the building envelope
Leaks in the building envelope can be located with the help of a weatherizing contractor. Air sealing techniques such as caulking or weather stripping can be utilized to seal doors and windows. Henkel OSI® GreenSeries™ is a low-VOC line of caulks and sealants capable of improving building performance at a minimal cost, while improving indoor air quality.

2. Insulate
Unnecessary heat loss can be avoided by adding insulation in attic areas. Cellulose spray insulation can be used on top of existing insulation or in exposed cavities. Nu-Wool Cellulose Insulation is made from recycled paper that would other wise end up in a landfill. It fills in gaps and voids better than other insulation materials. A project typically costs a few hundred dollars and is considered a great long term investment in terms of energy savings.

3. Reduce unwanted heat gain
Installing reflective roofs can reduce unwanted heat gain in the summer months. Energy Smart Roof is a highly reflective roof membrane that will reduce cooling costs attributed to heat island effect which can raise temperature 5 to 10 degrees This is likely the most expensive weatherization method costing thousands of dollars. However, a two year study done by the EPA **in Austin, Texas demonstrated a savings of 7.2 cents per square foot with a lifetime saving of $61,000 to $71,000.

All of the above mentioned products can be found in Ecolect Materials library.

*Buildings Energy Data Book, Chapter 2:1 http://buildingsdatabook.eren.doe.gov/TableView.aspx?table=2.1.1

**Study Proves White Thermoplastic Roof Saves Money http://www.sarnafilus.com//lbnl_study_r.htm

Related Posts
Futurethink Brings Us the Future of Green Business
100% Sustainable House at West Coast Green
Put a Little Hemp in Your Concrete
The Box Office
Top Ten East Coast Eco Materials

ATNMBL By Mike And Maaike

Image courtesy of Mike and Maaike

San Francisco-based design duo Mike and Maaike recently introduced the ATNMBL, a provocative vehicle design that proposes an interesting paradigm shift in terms of mobility: no driving.

The concept is the result of an experimental and thoughtful process where they have questioned the very needs of car users and explored the scenario of a computer-controlled system powered by solar panels and electric motors in each wheel.

They have taken a very interesting approach and the design is clearly a departure from traditional car design. Similar thoughts have been explored previously in academic contexts around urban mobility (i.e. Shaun Hutchinson at RCA in 2001) and also some technologies that started in laboratories few years ago are common place nowadays.

So, the technology is there, the infrastructure is there, now the car industry needs to start looking at putting all these pieces together. They are the ones with the power and resources to do it.

The industry that probably employs the largest amount of people in the world, one that has an incredible technological infrastructure and very well prepared human resources, should start working on alternative energies and understanding mobility holistically, looking at the problem of transportation entirely instead of making the same (100 years) old product that only about 12% of the population are able to enjoy. There is a huge opportunity to innovate here and the ATNMBL concept shows this in an elegant and poetic way.

It is nice to see optimistic concepts like Mike and Maaike’s, which bring a fresh approach to the table. And as they say: this is a time of economic challenges and therefore time to experiment.

Here’s an interesting article about their concept on Core77.

Related posts:
Rethinking the way that cars are used
BMW shows the many ways to skin a car
Get your electric transport for $32,500

Solar Impulse, Around The World In A Solar Airplane

Based in Switzerland, a team of over 50 specialists from six countries is working on the Solar Impulse project: a solar-powered airplane capable of taking off autonomously and maintaining itself in flight for several days, entirely propelled by the energy stored in the photovoltaic panels contained in its wings.

The HB-SIA prototype is currently under construction and the round-the-world flight is programmed to happen in 2012, on a flight over land near the equator. Five stops are planned during the route, in order to change pilots and present the adventure to the public and authorities. Each flight leg will last from 3 to 4 days (considered the maximum endurance for a single pilot).

This is certainly a technology many of us have been waiting for, and which seems a natural step in the aviation industry.

Related Posts:
Samsung Blue Earth – The First Solar Powered Touchscreen Phone
Day4 Energy Has Introduced A New Solar Panel Technology
The New Look of Solar