Non-toxic alternative for next-generation solar cells

Sonder Agency

Researchers have demonstrated how a non-toxic alternative to lead could form the basis of next-generation solar cells. Read more

Rooftop concentrating photovoltaics win big over silicon in outdoor testing

Sonder Agency

A concentrating photovoltaic system with embedded microtracking can produce over 50 percent more energy per day than standard silicon solar cells in a head-to-head competition, according to a team of engineers who field tested a prototype unit over two sunny days last fall. Read more

Unbalanced wind farm planning exacerbates fluctuations

Sonder Agency

If European countries cooperated better in the field of wind energy, wind power output would fluctuate less. This is the conclusion reached by a group of energy and climate researchers who, for the first time, have combined a long-term analysis of predominant weather patterns with Europe-wide wind electricity generation. Read more

Scientists design solar cell that captures nearly all energy of solar spectrum

Sonder Agency

Scientists have designed and constructed a prototype for a new solar cell that integrates multiple cells stacked into a single device capable of capturing nearly all of the energy in the solar spectrum. Read more

New way to predict when electric cars and home batteries become cost effective

Sonder Agency

The future cost of energy storage technologies can now be predicted under different scenarios, thanks to a new tool created by researchers. Read more

‘Smart’ transformers could make reliable smart grid a reality

Sonder Agency

Smart solid-state transformers could be used to make a stable, reliable 'smart grid' -- allowing the power distribution system to route renewable energy from homes and businesses into the power grid -- a new study using complex computational models finds. Read more

Self-powered system makes smart windows smarter

Sonder Agency

Smart windows equipped with controllable glazing can augment lighting, cooling and heating systems by varying their tint, saving up to 40 percent in an average building's energy costs. These smart windows require power for operation, so they are relatively complicated to install in existing buildings. But by applying a new solar cell technology, researchers at… Read more

Nanostructures taste the rainbow

Sonder Agency

Engineers at Caltech have for the first time developed a light detector that combines two disparate technologies -- nanophotonics, which manipulates light at the nanoscale, and thermoelectrics, which translates temperature differences directly into electron voltage -- to distinguish different wavelengths (colors) of light, including both visible and infrared wavelengths, at high resolution. Light detectors that… Read more

Air pollution casts shadow over solar energy production

Sonder Agency

Global solar energy production is taking a major hit due to air pollution and dust. According to a new study, airborne particles and their accumulation on solar cells are cutting energy output by more than 25 percent in certain parts of the world. The regions hardest hit are also those investing the most in solar… Read more

Cool power: Breakthroughs in solar panel cooling technology

Sonder Agency

As NASA's Parker Solar Probe spacecraft begins its first historic encounter with the sun's corona in late 2018 -- flying closer to our star than any other mission in history -- a revolutionary cooling system will keep its solar arrays at peak performance, even in extremely hostile conditions. Every instrument and system on board Parker… Read more