Technology and R&D

New research from the University of Cambridge in the U.K. is developing a method by which more of sun’s spectrum can be harnessed by a photovoltaic cell. In theory, the hybrid semiconductor method could push through the theoretical efficiency barrier limiting silicon solar cells.

The PV Legal project has found that while positive progress has been made in reducing bureaucratic barriers to photovoltaic implementation, there are still many in place, which continue to hinder development. Grid connection was highlighted as the biggest bottleneck.

Germany’s Federal Environment Minister, Norbert Röttgen, has confirmed his attendance at the first “Energy Storage – Summit for the Storage of Renewable Energies” conference, scheduled to be held in Düsseldorf this March. During the event, he will address the issue of energy storage transformation.

A report looking into the commercial viability of transparent electronics provides a very positive assessment of its opportunities within the solar industry, including predictions of in excess of 1,000 percent growth in some areas. It additionally identifies the key players to watch.

Lux Research has found that the copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar market is likely to double between now and 2015. However, it warns that only a few manufacturers will succeed.

Scientists from Germany and the U.S. use a sunflower pattern to enhance concentrated solar efficiency. The RWTH Aachen University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) create a heliostat array that is more compact.

The Arizona State University (ASU), Salt River Project (SRP) and SunPower Corp. announced today that a one-megawatt (MW) project will go ahead, the first to use SunPower’s C7, concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) technology. SunPower hopes the trackers can achieve the lowest levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for photovoltaics.

After spending more than seven years constantly on the move in hazardous, previously uncharted territory, the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity—a geologic robot— is taking some time to kick back and bask in the sun.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has entered a patent license agreement with Natcore Technology Inc. to develop a line of black silicon products that can help to increase solar PV cell efficiency.

The next coat of paint on the exterior of our houses may just generate electricity from the sun. University of Notre Dame’s researchers have taken a leap towards this vision by creating ‘solar paint’.