Chicago’s South Side is home to the largest urban solar plant in the nation! The former industrial site has been improved with over 32,000 solar panels with tracking technology to help maximize efficiency by following the sun across the sky. Operated by Exelon Corporation, the project has resulted in a number of green jobs, while [...]
A new world record for PV solar cell efficiency was recently reached by Silicon Valley-based SunPower Corporation. Last week, it claimed to have accomplished over 24% conversion from sunlight to electricity with silicon solar panels at its manufacturing plant in the Philippines. U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) confirmed the solar panel [...]
Continue reading about World Record for PV Solar Cell Efficiency
What if there was a magical way to increase solar panel efficiency by 20%? This is not a fairy tale! National Semiconductor has developed Solar Magic technology to boost solar panel output and increase power optimization. At first, the product was introduced as an add-on accessory for existing solar panel arrays. Now, National Semi’s solar [...]
Continue reading about Solar Magic Techology Boosts Solar Panel Output
In New Jersey, they’re harvesting more than just vegetables at Seabrook Farms. The company announced this week that its signed a 15-year deal with SBS Energy Partners to grow solar power, too. That’s right, Seabrook has agreed to install and maintain over 27,000 solar panels on 21 acres of its land. Resulting solar power will [...]
Continue reading about Growing Solar Power And Vegetables in New Jersey
Along a pedestrian and bicycle path in Austin, Texas, you’ll find a field of giant sunflowers. Solar sunflowers, to be precise. And this public art is generating more than attention – its creating renewable energy! The 15 towering solar sunflowers located near the LEED-certified Mueller Development include solar panel “petals.” During the day, the petals [...]
Continue reading about Solar Sunflowers: Public Art Generates More than Attention
In the wake of the BP oil spill disaster – the extent of which is still unknown – more and more people are considering renewable energy as viable options. In fact, many Republicans are even abandoning the cry, “drill baby drill,” and withdrawing support for offshore drilling here in the States. Fortunately, it was already [...]
Continue reading about Install Solar Panels to Turn Blue into Green
We posted this week about the fact that the home solar market doubled in 2009. Now, we get word that residential solar panels doubled electricity production in 2009! In other words, from 2008 to 2009, twice as much solar electricity was generated by solar panel installations. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, in 2009, [...]
Continue reading about Residential Solar Panels Doubled Electricity Production in 2009
These days, it is easier than ever to switch to solar electricity. Home solar power options abound! Whether you are thinking about installing solar panels on your rooftop, solar roof shingles, or simply tapping into a utility-based renewable energy certificate program, you don’t have to power your home with dirty coal or gas any longer. [...]
There are two factors that every solar cell manufacturer considers: cost and efficiency. Of course, we want the first factor to go down, and the other one to increase. When companies improve the efficiency of solar panels, they can promise more bang for the buck. Instead of 10 solar panels on your roof, perhaps 8 [...]
Continue reading about Pushing the Solar Efficiency Envelope
Many people want to install solar panels on their homes, and now’s the time to do so! Prices have fallen by 50% in recent months, and the federal and state governments are making it very affordable, offering generous tax rebates and other incentives. If you want to generate solar electricity for your household or business, [...]
Continue reading about Want to Generate Solar Electricity? 5 Things You Need