solar energy
California-based BioSolar Inc. today announced that it’s successfully tested its pre-production, bio-based solar cell film, bringing it “one step closer to full scale commercial production.” The company’s BioBacksheet™ is a plant-based, rather than petroleum-based, protective film covering for photovoltaic cells. By using renewable biomaterials for backsheeting, the cost
australia
Researchers at The Australia National University (ANU) are working on several new technologies that could revolutionise the solar energy markets. Among their projects: a new type of solar-powered air-conditioning system and a spray-on solar panel that could reduce costs while boosting efficiency. The air-conditioning system being developed by engineering and
Nepal
Electricity-poor Nepal will get an energy boost starting this year, thanks to a programme in which Kyocera Corporation will donate solar power systems to middle schools across the nation. For the next five years, Kyocera will install a 600-watt solar energy generating system in three different schools, for a total
solar energy
Need an update on recent developments in the cleantech sector? Following are some stories you might have missed: * Lockheed Martin is teaming with Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) to develop a “utility-scale wave power generation project” to be located off the coast of either Oregon or California. The aerospace manufacturer/defense
photovoltaics
Ferrari this week unveiled a new photovoltaic system on the roof of its engine mechanical machining facility in Maranello, Italy. The flat-roof array is expected to cut Ferrari’s off-the-grid energy consumption by nearly 214,000 kilowatt-hours a year. As part of an ongoing sustainability programme (could driving a Ferrari
biomass
New York City-based Astonfield Renewable Resources Ltd. today announced plans to spend $2 billion (US) on energy projects in India over the next two years. Most of the funds — about $1.7 billion — will focus on solar energy projects, with the remaining money going toward waste-to-energy and biomass developments. Founded
concentrated solar
German researchers say they’ve broken a new record for solar energy efficiency, converting a full 41.1 percent of the power of incoming rays into electricity. “We are elated by this breakthrough,” said Frank Dimroth, a member of the research team at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems
environmental toxins
Hmm, it seems as though kicking this fossil fuel habit through renewables isn’t so straightforward after all: right on the heels of a report that home-based wind energy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be comes a new study exploring the dangers of toxic chemicals used in
climate
Stanford University announced this week that it’s establishing a new institute to focus solely on energy issues. The Precourt Institute for Energy gets kicked off with $100 million (US) in new funding. That money comes on top of the $30 million Stanford’s already spending on energy research. The
cleantech
Spending too much time obsessively tracking the latest cleantech news on your Google Reader? Despair not: here’s a roundup of some of this week’s top stories you might have missed: Cleantech funding hit new heights in ‘08. Yes, we’ve covered this one already, but it’s worth
alternative energy
What’s the best overall source of energy if you take into account factors like climate change, sustainability, pollution, human health and reliability? Not biofuels, nuclear power or so-called clean coal, according to a new study from Stanford University. Mark Z. Jacobson, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, concludes
photovoltaics
A new branch library that opened in San Jose, California, this week sports an art glass window installation that is also a solar-power generator. Designed by artist Lynn Goodpasture, the installation at the Pearl Avenue Branch Library breaks new ground in the US, making San Jose the only city with