March 12th, 2012 | by Charis Michelsen
The world’s largest PV manufacturer, Suntech, seems to have gotten an edge as it has announced a new world record for conversion efficiency
February 3rd, 2012 | by Charis Michelsen
In a report published by Scientific Reports, researchers say they’re successfully working toward making low-cost solar cells from plants. While technically
September 8th, 2011 | by Charis Michelsen
There are two ways to lower the cost of producing energy through photovoltaics – more efficient solar cells (more power per square foot) and lower production costs (lower cost per square foot). The ETAlab of the Fraunhofer ISE has devised a way to do both simultaneously. The research team in the laboratory for new solar cell structures and processing steps has not only made the solar cell contacts out of 100% cost-effective materials (replacing expensive silver with cheaper copper and nickel), but the process also increases the efficiency of the solar cell to a very respectable 21.4%
August 26th, 2011 | by Charis Michelsen
Specialized challenges are usually pretty entertaining – wacky ideas come to life to compete, and often garner some pretty impressive results. The upcoming World Solar Challenge in Australia should deliver some fun; competitors must drive from Darwin to Adelaide, a total of 1,864 miles across the desert, without using any fossil fuel
August 25th, 2011 | by Charis Michelsen
SCHOTT Solar announced the world’s first monocrystalline screen-printed solar cell on Wednesday -- with conversion efficiency of 20.2%. The Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg, another research institute, confirmed the results of SCHOTT Solar’s tests with an independent measurement
