First it showcased the new Mazda6 running the Rolex 24 endurance race on biodiesel from chicken fat, and now Daytona International Speedway has tapped a chicken fat motor oil as the venue’s “Official Motor Oil.” Well, both the biodiesel and the motor oil include other animals fats as well as plant … [continued]
The past ten years has seen environmental sciences become more and more popular at universities and colleges the world over, with many tertiary institutions implementing courses designed towards very specific career outcomes. No university, however, has made climate change it’s central focus, until now. Unity College, a private college in … [continued]
While there is certainly a growing renewable energy trend, there still remains an entrenched fossil fuel infrastructure and system of associated economic incentives. The public may not be all that aware of one of the incentives, but certain business people are. Master limited partnerships are a way to structure an … [continued]
Via NREL: The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently received four fuel cell hybrid vehicles – advanced (FCHV-adv) on loan from Toyota through a two-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. These vehicles will help NREL enhance its research related to hydrogen fueling infrastructure, renewable hydrogen … [continued]
Solar Mosaic’s wasting no time as it seeks to build on the initial success of its innovative solar PV crowdfunding platform as it partners to develop credit ratings for rooftop solar energy projects
Seven research teams in six states will lead public-private initiatives to develop and apply new “Big Data” analytical tools that aim to accelerate deployment and realize further costs reductions for solar PV.
I have seen my share of outstanding solar innovations, such as concentrated solar setups using tiny gallium arsenide cells that achieve an astounding 42% efficiency. However, I’ve been eagerly waiting for an outstanding innovation made from more abundant materials such as silicon. The main reason is that silicon is the … [continued]
Here’s a video replay of today’s ‘Home Solar Hangout On Air’ hosted by Veterans United. Dave Llorens of 1BOG and I answered questions about solar power incentives, going solar, and more. Unfortunately, SolarCity couldn’t make it, but I think it was still a very useful chat for a lot of … [continued]
By utilizing an exotic form of silicon, silicon BC8, it is very likely possible to significantly raise the efficiency of solar cells, according to new research headed by the University of California, Davis. Solar cells currently in use generate one electron-hole pair for every photon that hits them, and are … [continued]
“Micro beads” may be the key to extremely thin (and much cheaper) next generation solar cells. Solar cells 20 times thinner than the solar cells of today are only 5-7 years off, according to the nano-scientists that are currently developing them. The estimate, as of right now, is that the … [continued]
