Category: Solar Energy

Solar cell and semiconductor company Spire has been awarded a U. S. patent for its nanophotonics technology. This technology creates quantum dot nanoparticles (about 25 millionth of an inch) that when exposed to light will create electrical current. The Spire quantum dots are more consistent than methods used by other manufacturers. Spire states that its […]

At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas solar chargers are everywhere. Different manufacturers have chosen this event to debut their solar chargers for laptops, cell phones, iPods and other small and larger electronic devices. Is this the year of the solar charger? Perhaps. There are many companies competing this year in this market, which […]

The Home Depot, in 55 stores throughout Arizona are offering residential solar panels and installation to customers. This is a clear sign that solar energy is finally coming of age. Home Depot is also offering residential solar in most stores throughout California as well. New York and New Jersey markets are expected to follow. The […]

Nanosolar has come up with an alternative that few other solar cell makers have. And, that is to not use the scarce supply of silicon in their solar devices. Nanosolar makes thin film solar cells that are flexible and include CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) instead of silicon. The San Jose, California based Nanosolar has […]

The Envision LifePort solar carport is debuting at the Electric Vehicle Symposium 23 (EVS-23) this week in Anaheim, California. The Envision LifePort has been designed to help homeowners not only power their residences in an environmentally-friendly manner, but they can also power their electric vehicles as well. The photovoltaic carport offers both residences and businesses […]

All I want for Christmas are my solar powered gadgets. Well, this doesn’t have the ring to it like the “my two front teeth” song, but several photovoltaic manufacturers are rolling out interesting products one can give as gifts this holiday season. Upon any green tech’s Christmas list may be items such as a solar-powered […]

The 20th World Solar Challenge in Australia has gone Dutch this year. The Dutch Nuon team’s Nuna4 car crossed the finish line in the Outback at 33 hours and 17 minutes. This does not set a new record for the World Solar Challenge, however, as the same Dutch team in 2005 barreled along at 29 […]

On Thursday, I talked about how the Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Decathlon was both heating up and coming to its finale. At that time, the University of Maryland was in first place with the German team breathing down their necks. In a come-from-behind victory, the Technische Universität Darmstadt passed the American team to take […]

Upbeat in the Outback, 23 teams from around the world will compete in the Panasonic World Solar Challenge in Australia starting Sunday, October 21, 2007. The solar race will last one week and conclude on October 28, when the winner of the 1,863 mile (3,000 km) will be announced. A few important changes have been […]

It’s that time of year again and the Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon 2007 competition is heating up with 20 different universities from the U. S., Canada, Germany and Spain competing for the top prize. According to the DOE, the point of the competition is to make solar energy for homes cost competitive with electricity […]