From a Hong Kong location, Wuxi Suntech and Taiwan Carbon Nanotube Technology announced April 16 the successful development of the world’s first carbon nanotube PV module frame. According to Suntech, the carbon nanotube enhanced composite frame features an increased ability to resist corrosion, while eliminating potential induced degradation problems from … [continued]
Korea has created a PV-covered bike lane connecting Sejong and Daejeon which offers a clean transit option that utilizes unused median space in an existing highway, while providing renewable solar electricity. The PV-covered bike lanes runs approximately 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Sejong to Daejeon. Bicyclists are protected by a guard rail. This … [continued]
Electrical energy storage tops the wish list for a growing number of photovoltaic panel owners who sadly witness the death of photons each time the sun sets. Photons, the items that generate electricity and make the world of rooftop solar energy possible at all, cease to exist in darkness. “Basically, … [continued]
Prepare for a surprise on the effectiveness of renewable energy incentives, specifically the California Solar Incentive. While many hail the California Solar Incentive (CSI) as an overwhelming success, a new study finds that using the same amount of money in a carefully optimized program to provide systems to low-income households … [continued]
Our interview with John Perlin continues for this segment of photovoltaics miniseries. In our 13th post, Mr. Perlin said, “Reagan came into office and declared war on solar technologies, which led the National Science Foundation’s chief scientist Lloyd Herwig to declare, instead of the United States, the Japanese and Germans would … [continued]
Renewable energy technologies using wind or solar have long stirred questions about electricity storage for those times when it is either dark or windless. Add demand for a smart grid and a lot of work still needs to be accomplished. To this end, the states of New York and Indiana have … [continued]
No longer is it simply the choice between CSP and PV plants for generating renewable electricity from our sun. A growing number of hybrid plants are being launched that combine the assets of concentrating solar power with photovoltaic elements. Almost one year ago, US-based SolarReserve announced its Copiapó CSP-PV hybrid … [continued]
Solar shingles’ electricity is spurring considerable interest among renewable electricity champions. Following my last story about solar shingles, I had the pleasure of learning about another solar shingle company, Integrated Solar Technology (IST). What follows is an interview I conducted with Oliver Koehler, the founder and CEO of IST. Meyers: … [continued]
A Colorado company, Red Rock Biofuels, is planning a $200 million biofuels refinery in Lakeview, Oregon where it will refine jet fuel to be used by Southwest Airlines. The refinery will also produce diesel and naptha fuel from its wood pulp stock. According to the Red Rock Biofuels (RRB) website, the company’s … [continued]
For all the renewable energy champions pointing to hydrogen as our best fuel for our future, an equal number of naysayers are more than willing to join in the debate. In a 2006 article on PhysOrg, writer Lisa Zyga referred to a study by fuel cell expert Ulf Bossel, who concluded … [continued]
