Electronic devices like cell phones, cameras, mP3 players and computers require a lot of power to recharge.  Using solar panels is becoming a more mainstream way to keep charged up without the need for an electrical outlet.

Portable Solar Power to Recharge Devices

Today, you can find portable solar panel devices to recharge electrical gadgets using ultraviolet light.  And the newest version of portable solar panels is flexible solar power using thin film solar technology.

Here are two new products for portable solar panels that use flexible solar power:

1.  SolarRoll is comprised of PV (photovoltaic) cells and can be rolled and carried in a small backpack. It produces up to 14W of electricity for recharging small devices like cell phones and digital cameras.  SolarRoll is useful for people who spend a lot of time outside, including fishers, hunters, hikers and more. The device is also weather proof, and UV transparent. It costs in a range of $199-$479.

2.  Suntrica is another flexible device that uses solar energy for recharging gadgets.   It is so convenient, you can fit it into your pocket.  The thin film solar technology absorbs UV light and converts it into solar energy to recharge portable devices.

Do you use portable solar panels and/or flexible solar power to recharge mobile devices?  Let us know in the comments below!

Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingles

Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingles first will be available in October 2011 in Colorado, and then rolled out thereafter to California and other states in 2012.

Solar roof shingles are unlike regular solar panels.  They can be installed just as regular asphalt shingles, and weigh less than PV panels.  The shingles are glass-free and created with thin-film solar cells, making them like conventional roofing shingles in nearly every aspect, except their ability to generate clean, solar electricity!

Dow Powerhouse solar shingles can be walked on, stacked and dropped.  They operate with a plug-in modular system to simplify electrical connections. Consumers have been eagerly awaiting this product for years!

The biggest drawback at this time is the fact that Dow has not yet stated what the price of their solar shingles will be.   We do have one hint, however, from Dow Solar Vice President Jane Palmieri who has stated that solar shingle systems may cost up to 15 percent less than conventional residential solar panel arrays.  This means about $12-20,000.  Palmieri also stated that the system will recoup installation costs in “first part of its intended life,” and that the system “has a lower net cost over its lifetime than a conventional roof and grid-supplied electricity.”

Dow Corning is targeting homeowners that need new roofs, to consider the new solar shingles.  Fortunately, solar roof shingles may qualify for solar rebates and tax credits, which help to further defray costs at the outset.

Spray on solar power

Spray on solar power technology from Mitsubishi could transform everything from buildings, cars and clothing into energy-generating surfaces.  Thin solar cells – less than 1 millimeter thick, and which weigh 1/10th of similarly sized crystalline solar panels – are the latest in building integrated photovoltaics.

The Japanese-based company has been part of a clean tech revolution starting in March 2011 after the devastating tsunami and resulting nuclear power plant meltdowns.  Government has backed research and development of solar power and other green energy sources.

Mitsubishi Chemical Corp has developed spray-on solar power technology with solar cells that use carbon compounds that operate semiconductors when dried and solidified, which means they can generating electricity when exposed to UV light.  Thin film solar, like this spray on solar technology can save space and cut down on weight normally associated with conventional solar panels.

Mitsubishi Chemical’s spray-on power technology promise a potential light-to-electricity conversion rate of over 10%. Traditional crystalline silicon solar panels provide an efficiency of as much as 20%, but – as noted above – less space and less weight of the spray on solar cells gives the technology an advantage.  Moreover,  Mitsubishi hopes to improve efficiency to 15%  by 2015.

GE to build the largest solar panel plant in the U.S.

General Electric (aka “GE”) is making some serious headway into the solar power business.  This week, the corporation announced that it will be building the largest solar panel plant in the United States.  Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels will be manufactured at the factory in a location yet to be announced.

GE has plans to become a major player in the growing solar panel market.  With the massive new solar panel plant, the company will directly employ 400 workers and support an addition 600 solar green jobs.  Specifically, General Electric will produce thin-film solar PV panels made of cadmium telluride.

Manufacturing of thin-film solar panels is planned to begin in 2013.  General Electric announced that its new solar panel plant would annually produce products capable of generating 400 megawatts (MW) of energy.

Talk about bringing good things to life!

A really cool BIPV design using solar panels for awning materials

Quite literally, BIPV is the incorporation of solar energy generating materials into roofing materials, siding, solar paint and even solar windows.  Instead of bulky PV panels sitting on your rooftop, you could have sleek solar shingles that blend right into profile of your home.

The act of generating renewable energy right where its needed – as opposed to having it travel across the grid – is called distributed generation.  There are many that tout its benefits over clean, utility-scale solar power because its more efficient and cheaper for the user of the solar energy.

Thin-film solar technology is one of the biggest factors for building integrated photovoltaics.  But the concept is still new, and kinks are being worked out before the general public can regularly draw on solar energy generated by thin-film solar.   And, while there is potentially a broad range of building materials into which BIPV could be integrated, some technologies, like solar paint, are still years away before making it to the mass market.

BIPV ceiling generates electricity while providing coverage

Building integrated photovoltaics will continue to build interest and enthusiasm in the coming years as consumers look for ways to reduce energy costs as well as their carbon footprint.

If you have moved to BIPV in recent years, please share your experiences in the comment section below.

Residential solar power is getting more affordable

Many of us want to switch to solar power, but we’re worried about the expense.  Fortunately, new solar technology is lowering solar panel costs.  That, coupled with generous governmental incentives is helping to bring solar energy to more people worldwide.  As we look for renewable energy options that are affordable and efficient, solar may be just the option to move us away from fossil fuels towards a brighter future.

I discovered a recent article at Solar Power Authority that describes new solar technology that is lowering solar panel costs.  Kriss Bergethon, a reporter who lives off the grid with his wife and family, contributed to the article.  Be sure to visit his Solar Panel Store online.

Thin film cells are used in solar roof shingles

The following is an excerpt from the article, “Three Innovations that are Lowering the Cost of Residential Solar.”

1. Thin-Film Cells

Instead of the large, rectangular solar panels you typically see mounted on rooftops, thin-film solar cells are more flexible, lighter and require less energy to produce.

Thin-film solar is a completely different take on solar cells. The cells themselves often come in a roll and the manufacturing process is similar to a printing process. This dramatically reduces the cost of solar power. Panels that use traditional crystalline technology still cost in the $2/watt range. Thin film cells cost closer to $1/watt and that price is falling quickly.

You’ll see thin-film solar cells in building-integrated photovoltaics options like solar roof shingles (pictured to the left).

2. Micro-Inverters

When you install solar panels, you also need an inverter.  Inverters take solar energy which is absorbed as direct current (DC) and converts it into the alternating current (AC) power you get when you plug in an appliance.   Inverters have traditionally comprised at least 1/3 of the cost of a solar power system, with basic models costing around $3,000 (solar panels not included!)  But get this:

Microinverters have changed the equation dramatically. Now, for less than $200, you can have an inverter on each solar panel, and have a system that consists of as little as one solar panel if you wish. That means the entry point for installing a solar power system is now as low as $1000. Many people start with just one or two panels, and add on a panel or two each year.

Microinverters also help increase solar panel efficiency, while minimizing installation time.

Solar panel racking improvements can reduce costs

3. Flexible Racking Solutions

In order to cut down on solar panel costs, changes need to be made with respect to racking systems.  Up to 1/4 of the solar panel equipment costs and 3/4 of the labor costs are due to solar panel racking systems.

That is about to change, however, as companies are developing racking that eliminates rails, while allowing for quicker grounding system installation.  Check out Zep Solar for more information.

In the past few years, solar panels have fallen in cost by more than 50%.  Government is encouraging the switch to renewable energy, offering rebates and other incentives that lower the costs even more.  With new solar technology also lowering solar panel costs, we may one day see most homeowners going solar!

i-Cool Solar panels keep truck interior cool with solar energy

We’ve told you about solar powered air conditioning units for your home, but now the idea is hitting the road!  The iCool Solar is a solar powered air conditioning unit for trucks, developed by Mitsubishi and Nippon Fruehauf.  It operates when the engine is off, using solar power captured by photovoltaic thin film cells to generate energy to cool the cabin of the truck.

The iCool Solar consists of solar panels that are attached to to top of the truck trailer (shown above), a battery for storing solar electricity generated by the panels, and a 900W air conditioning unit.  But don’t go looking for one of these solar powered air conditioning units yet.  They will not be commercially available until spring 2012.

Relying on solar energy, rather than battery life, to run the A/C while the truck is turned off preserves battery life.  It also cuts down on fuel consumption and cost.  A 10-ton truck can use nearly 400 gallons less of fuel each year with the iCool Solar.

Solar powered air conditioning for trucks

Mitsubishi Chemical estimates that if all the trucks in Japan used the i-Cool Solar, CO2 emissions could be cut by 1.65 million tons in Japan alone.

i-Cool Solar is also being developed in a smaller version for use in passenger vehicles.

High performance solar roof shingles from Dow

One of our favorite ways to go solar is with low profile, but high performance solar roof shingles.  From the manufacturer Dow comes a residential solar shingle that has been certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

Introduced in October 2009, Dow’s Powerhourse solar shingle is an affordable roofing option that can help cut your electricity bills and carbon emissions.  The sleek profile of solar roof shingles blend right into your regular roof tiles, minimizing the aesthetic impact.  Now, the residential solar shingles will be available for purchase in 2011!

According to Dow’s website:

But, why is our solar solution revolutionary? First, it’s a residential shingle – in both its installation technique and in the roofing protection it provides. In addition, it generates solar electricity by integrating solar cells into the design. In other words, the shingle is the solar panel, and the solar panel is the shingle.

Solar shingles are an example of the growing market in building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) – construction materials that include solar cells to generate clean solar electricity.  Consider these features of Dow’s high performance solar roof shingles:

• Quick, easy installation
• Minimal roof penetrations, compared with traditional solar panels
• Sleek profile that integrates with existing asphalt shingles on your roof
• Comprised of thin film solar cells (CIGS: copper, indium, gallium, diselenide)

The UL certification is one of the final steps needed to bring Dow’s Powerhouse Solar Shingles to the market early next year.  Certification confirms the ability of the solar roof shingles to meet electrical codes and photovoltaic connections.

Wal-Mart Solar Panels

Wal-Mart has fought against negative press regarding its mega-retail stores, competitive practices and even the way it treats is employees.  However, one news story that doesn’t get a lot of press is Wal-Mart’s efforts to go green.  For the past 3 years, Walmart has quietly been working with Environmental Defense Fund to promote thin film solar technology.  Since 2007, the retailer has funded solar research and development to create thin film photovoltaic cells with real-world applications.

And Wal-Mart is starting with its own retail outlets. The new thin film solar panels have been installed in California, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.  Another 20-30 Walmart stores in Arizona and California are slated for solar panel installation, as the corporation aims to go 100% green.  The thin-film solar panels will be manufactured by First Solar and MiaSolé.

Solar panels are being installed at Walmart’s California and Arizona in locations in part because of ample sunshine, but also because these states offer generous solar incentives and rebates. Thin film solar panels have been chosen because they are less expensive than “regular” PV solar panels, since they require less silicon and other materials.  They are easy to install and maintain, and are usually more efficient (they convert more sunlight into solar electricity) than their bulky counterparts.

Installing Walmart solar panels

What to expect from thin film solar installed at Wal-Mart:

• New solar panels installed at the proposed Walmart locations in California and Arizona will generate more than 22.5 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity each year
• The solar panels will offset 20-30% of the energy requirements of each retail outlet store
• The environmental impact will be the equivalent of taking over 3,000 cars off the road

And its just the beginning of Walmart’s solar efforts, which will have an impact on the way all retailers do business.  Kim Saylors Laster, Walmart VP of Energy states:

“By leveraging our global scale to become a more efficient company, we are able to lower our expenses and help develop markets for new technologies. Developing and incorporating new renewable energy sources, like thin film, reduces energy price risk and aligns very well with our commitment to solving business challenges through technology.”

With over 8,000 stores in the U.S. alone, Walmart can definitely lead by example if it continues installing solar panels across its properties.

Generate solar electricity with your window panes!

For several years, researchers have been working to develop a solar film that can be applied to windows, allow light to shine through, but still generate clean, solar electricity.  This week, New Energy Technologies showcased its new SolarWindow™ technology at the University of South Florida.

Its the ultimate in building integrated photovoltaics!  Spray-on solar film can literally turn any building surface, including glass, into solar panels.  Not only is it sleek and convenient, but researchers state that SolarWindow™ is up to 10 times more efficient than traditional PV panels and other thin-film technologies.

Don’t expect to find a can of spray-on solar cells at your local hardware store, however!  New Energy’s SolarWindow™ coatings are applied onto surfaces with a patent-pending process.  The solar cell coatings absorb UV light and convert it to electricity, while still allowing you to see through the window.

SolarWindow™ technology will even be able to convert artificial light (from interior lightbulbs) into electricity, boosting the output even higher.  No other conventional solar technology can generate electricity from both natural and artificial light sources.

I cannot wait until we start seeing SolarWindows in our neighborhoods and on office buildings!