Executive Summary about Wind Generators by Gallen Ho
You may have noticed that there are more wind generators out there now than ever before. You can easy find a professional contractor with the experience to install home wind generators. You can even buy a wind generator kit that allows you to build it from the pieces it comes with. This is a great way to get the benefits from wind generators for the lowest possible price.
Terry Hope has created the THEKPV (The Hybrid Electric Kinetic Photovoltaic Vehicle), a solar powered bike that is powered by a 50W array of solar panels and has a capacitor for boosting its acceleration capabilities.
Kim Jangwoon, Youngmin Lee, Jung Soonho and Namgung Mina have designed Solar Rucksack, an innovative backpack concept to keep the user’s body warmth in cold conditions, especially for those who like to climb on a mountain or working in countries poles.
Chinavasion introduces world’s first HD camcorder with Dual Solar Panel.
The museum is located in the southern Chinese city of Xiamen, on an island in the middle of the reservoir that runs through downtown.
New Zealand-based company 2C sells a variety of solar light cap that charged during the day to give light at the night. All the collected energy, light-emitting technology lies in the curved part of semi-flexible pre-bent beak of the cap including solar panels and the NiMH batteries used to store them.
The Solar Powered FM Radio Kit allows you to teach children about environmentally friendly energy source of solar energy in a fun and interesting. The kit will make a fully functional FM radio that was designed to be bright and attractive to children.
Adventures in microsolar supported by microelectronics and MEMS techniques
Representative thin crystalline-silicon photovoltaic cells – these are from 14 to 20 micrometers thick and 0.25 to 1 millimeter across.
Sandia National Laboratories scientists have developed tiny glitter-sized photovoltaic cells that could revolutionize the way solar energy is collected and used.
The tiny cells could turn a person into a walking solar battery charger if they were fastened to flexible substrates molded around unusual shapes, such as clothing.
The solar particles, fabricated of crystalline silicon, hold the potential for a variety of new applications. They are expected eventually to be less expensive and have greater efficiencies than current photovoltaic collectors that are pieced together with 6-inch- square solar wafers.
The cells are fabricated using microelectronic and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) techniques common to today’s electronic foundries.
Sandia lead investigator Greg Nielson said the research team has identified more than 20 benefits of scale for its microphotovoltaic cells. These include new applications, improved performance, potential for reduced costs and higher efficiencies.
“Eventually units could be mass-produced and wrapped around unusual shapes for building-integrated solar, tents and maybe even clothing,” he said. This would make it possible for hunters, hikers or military personnel in the field to recharge batteries for phones, cameras and other electronic devices as they walk or rest.
Sandia project lead Greg Nielson holds a solar cell test prototype with a microscale lens array fastened above it. Together, the cell and lens help create a concentrated photovoltaic unit.
Even better, such microengineered panels could have circuits imprinted that would help perform other functions customarily left to large-scale construction with its attendant need for field construction design and permits.
Said Sandia field engineer Vipin Gupta, “Photovoltaic modules made from these microsized cells for the rooftops of homes and warehouses could have intelligent controls, inverters and even storage built in at the chip level. Such an integrated module could greatly simplify the cumbersome design, bid, permit and grid integration process that our solar technical assistance teams see in the field all the time.”
For large-scale power generation, said Sandia researcher Murat Okandan, “One of the biggest scale benefits is a significant reduction in manufacturing and installation costs compared with current PV techniques.”
Part of the potential cost reduction comes about because microcells require relatively little material to form well-controlled and highly efficient devices.
From 14 to 20 micrometers thick (a human hair is approximately 70 micrometers thick), they are 10 times thinner than conventional 6-inch-by-6-inch brick-sized cells, yet perform at about the same efficiency.
100 times less silicon generates same amount of electricity
“So they use 100 times less silicon to generate the same amount of electricity,” said Okandan. “Since they are much smaller and have fewer mechanical deformations for a given environment than the conventional cells, they may also be more reliable over the long term.”
Another manufacturing convenience is that the cells, because they are only hundreds of micrometers in diameter, can be fabricated from commercial wafers of any size, including today’s 300-millimeter (12-inch) diameter wafers and future 450-millimeter (18-inch) wafers. Further, if one cell proves defective in manufacture, the rest still can be harvested, while if a brick-sized unit goes bad, the entire wafer may be unusable. Also, brick-sized units fabricated larger than the conventional 6-inch-by-6-inch cross section to take advantage of larger wafer size would require thicker power lines to harvest the increased power, creating more cost and possibly shading the wafer. That problem does not exist with the small-cell approach and its individualized wiring.
From left to right, Sandia researchers Murat OKandan, Greg Nielson, and Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, hold samples containing arrays of microsolar cells.
Other unique features are available because the cells are so small. “The shade tolerance of our units to overhead obstructions is better than conventional PV panels,” said Nielson, “because portions of our units not in shade will keep sending out electricity where a partially shaded conventional panel may turn off entirely.”
Because flexible substrates can be easily fabricated, high-efficiency PV for ubiquitous solar power becomes more feasible, said Okandan.
A commercial move to microscale PV cells would be a dramatic change from conventional silicon PV modules composed of arrays of 6-inch-by-6-inch wafers. However, by bringing in techniques normally used in MEMS, electronics and the light-emitting diode (LED) industries (for additional work involving gallium arsenide instead of silicon), the change to small cells should be relatively straightforward, Gupta said.
Each cell is formed on silicon wafers, etched and then released inexpensively in hexagonal shapes, with electrical contacts prefabricated on each piece, by borrowing techniques from integrated circuits and MEMS.
Offering a run for their money to conventional large wafers of crystalline silicon, electricity presently can be harvested from the Sandia-created cells with 14.9 percent efficiency. Off-the-shelf commercial modules range from 13 to 20 percent efficient.
A widely used commercial tool called a pick-and-place machine — the current standard for the mass assembly of electronics — can place up to 130,000 pieces of glitter per hour at electrical contact points preestablished on the substrate; the placement takes place at cooler temperatures. The cost is approximately one-tenth of a cent per piece with the number of cells per module determined by the level of optical concentration and the size of the die, likely to be in the 10,000 to 50,000 cell per square meter range. An alternate technology, still at the lab-bench stage, involves self-assembly of the parts at even lower costs.
Solar concentrators — low-cost, prefabricated, optically efficient microlens arrays — can be placed directly over each glitter-sized cell to increase the number of photons arriving to be converted via the photovoltaic effect into electrons. The small cell size means that cheaper and more efficient short focal length microlens arrays can be fabricated for this purpose.
High-voltage output is possible directly from the modules because of the large number of cells in the array. This should reduce costs associated with wiring, due to reduced resistive losses at higher voltages.
Other possible applications for the technology include satellites and remote sensing.
The project combines expertise from Sandia’s Microsystems Center; Photovoltaics and Grid Integration Group; the Materials, Devices, and Energy Technologies Group; and the National Renewable Energy Lab’s Concentrating Photovoltaics Group.
Involved in the process, in addition to Nielson, Okandan and Gupta, are Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Paul Resnick, Tammy Pluym, Peggy Clews, Carlos Sanchez, Bill Sweatt, Tony Lentine, Anton Filatov, Mike Sinclair, Mark Overberg, Jeff Nelson, Jennifer Granata, Craig Carmignani, Rick Kemp, Connie Stewart, Jonathan Wierer,
George Wang, Jerry Simmons, Jason Strauch, Judith Lavin and Mark Wanlass (NREL).
The work is supported by DOE’s Solar Energy Technology Program and Sandia’s Laboratory Directed Research & Development program, and has been presented at four technical conferences this year.
The ability of light to produce electrons, and thus electricity, has been known for more than a hundred years.
Grid-connected system was applied to many urban areas housing, existing electricity network. The purpose of using solar panels, to save the cost of excessive electricity consumption and help reduce the greenhouse effect caused by the use of fossil fuels which cause excessive air pollution. Electrical energy which is in turn, channeled into the electricity networks that already exist and can be stored in the electricity network. This term is called the Hybrid System, which combine solar power plants with electricity network. Solar systems can also be combined with other power plants such as PV-Generator Hybrid, Hybrid PV-Microhydro, Hybrid PV-Wind and can even be combined into 3 systems of different power to Hybrid PV-Wind-Generator.
The following illustration application of grid connected systems in housing
Caption:
1. Solar panels installed at suitable locations to generate optimal power.
2. Inverter (Controller) function to change direct current (DC) produced by PV into alternating current (AC) that can be applied to household electronic equipment.
3. Box distribution function to distribute the AC current through the PV generated electricity network.
4. Discharging the burden of household air-conditioning system.
5. Electric meter show the current of electricity network will b
Konarka Technologies, Inc., a company that develops and sells Konarka Power Plastic, materials that convert light to energy, announced today that it has partnered with Arch Aluminum & Glass Co. to launch a pilot project, first curtain wall. In this project, two walls of solar panels will be erected in the building Arch’s office in Tamarac, Florida. Solar panels produce 1.5 kilowatts power, is expected to be fully functional by the end of the year.
Array of solar panels, glass and aluminum used in pilot installations to be used as a living laboratory with full modularity, including the ability to simultaneously test a variety of panels in a variety of conditions, will be a curtain wall. The wall will be built solar panels to gather data for architects and other customers who are interested in integrating solar cells into building materials.
Via: Greentechmedia
Function and uses:
Solar Mobile Charger is a versatile charger which utilizes 100% of solar energy you can use to charge phone battery, CD Player, MP3 Player, MP4 Player, a small radio and others.
Very useful for you who frequently travel, tent, camping, traveling far outside the city, and driving in an emergency such as natural disasters, floods, earthquakes, etc.. Where there is not (difficult) to search supply of electricity or other energy source. With a slim and lightweight, this versatile charger easily take you any-where. Safe and easy to use, and certifiable to use for years, without maintenance.
How to use?
Easy! Simply place the solar panel in place by the sun exposure (can be also on the car dashboard) survived more than 7 hours (from morning to afternoon) so that the battery charger is fully charged, and if you want to use, connect the panel with the connector type with HP according to the type of HP through the cable connector that has been provided, then connect to your HP. The time required until the battery charged with full capacity depend on each type battery HP/other equipment which would be charged. Solar Mobile Charger is still able to absorb solar energy even if the weather cloudy/rain, so your phones will always be charged whatever the weather. Ideal to use at festivals, on holiday or in the car, you will wonder how you ever coped without it.
Alternative Solar Panel Charging
Solar Mobile Charger can also be charged by the computer via USB as solar alternative energy. You can utilize the USB cable that is provided. Charging time with USB is 2-3 hours.
Executive Summary about Solar Technology by Philip Richards
In the business of solar energy, the U.S. has not been the biggest buyer of solar power. While the U.S. does quite well exporting solar panels and solar technology, there are many Americans who still find the cost of panels very prohibitive. As the price of solar energy decreases, Europe has had a much higher demand for solar power than anywhere else in the world. Many European universities and campuses have rebuilt their dorms to run off solar energy. Most water heaters in Europe are solar-powered, even if the home doesn’t have a full solar panel system.
In Europe, it’s not just small residential power systems that are leading the way in solar energy dependence. Specifically, Italy, Greece and the Czech Republic are the newest customers of solar power systems. These countries have begun to purchase so much solar energy that their borders have seen changes in tariffs for solar panels. Japan, who’s also been at the forefront of solar panel imports, has picked up solar panel buying as the cost of gas and electricity rises. There are entire neighborhoods in Japan outfitted with residential solar power panels. For example, the neighborhood of Iwaki New Town has about 46 homes outfitted with full private solar power panels. Japan also uses solar energy in surprising places. Japan is the only country to power most of its vending machines with solar energy. Sharp, one of the largest solar panel producing companies in Japan estimates that by 2010, Japan will produce 4.8 million kWh of solar energy.
The Race For New Solar Technology Is On
Executive Summary about Solar Technology by Winifred Churchill
Companies around the world are beginning to seriously consider the POWER of solar power.
One criticism of solar energy is that it cannot be relied upon for a steady supply of energy, but there are projects underway which are addressing that issue. In short, solar technology is going the way of the computer industry or cell phones. Now you get the same functionality available in personal computers on tiny cell phones. The new silicon cells for solar panels may bring a similar revolution to solar power making it a reliable, clean source of energy.
Article You May Be Interested In Reading: Wind Generators
Executive Summary about Solar Fountain by Jeff Snyder
A water feature can be relaxing. For those of us that want the stress reducing and atmosphere enhancing benefits of flowing water without the expense and hassle, a free-standing solar water fountain just may be the answer.
Solar fountains are similar to standard fountains in look and function, except the power to run them comes from a solar panel instead of an electrical outlet. The solar panel converts sunlight into electricity, which in turn powers the pump that circulates water through the fountain. This means that most solar fountains available today require direct sunlight to operate.
For one thing, solar fountains are relatively inexpensive. So go ahead and give solar fountains a try.
Solar Fountain Pumps
Executive Summary about Solar Fountain by Christine Douglas
If you want a beautiful water feature in your yard, you’ll need power of some kind. There are many reasons you may choose to use solar fountain pumps. There are many different kinds of solar fountain pumps. The first kind is an all-inclusive fountain with solar power built right in. You simply place the fountain in an area that gets ample sunlight, and enjoy! From bird baths, to cherubs, these fountains are lovely and a great use of the sun.
Other types of solar fountain pumps are for larger water features. Larger solar powered fountain pumps are available in many sizes and styles. If you choose to use a solar fountain pump, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. The fountain can be in the shade if desired, as long as the solar collector is in the sun most of the day.
Check out my other guide on Charger Solar
