The usual efficiency for solar panels is 10-20%. Efficiency is the conversion rate of capture, comparing the potential energy that strikes an area of ground with the energy (electricity) captured by the solar panel. This relatively low efficiency is one reason why solar electricity hasn't caught on. In December last year, a company called Spectrolab has achieved a new world record in solar cell efficiency. By using concentrated sunlight, Spectrolab demonstrated the ability of a photovoltaic cell to convert 40.7% of the sun’s energy into electricity. Multijunction cells perform at higher efficiencies than conventional single-junction silicon solar cells, because they convert more of the solar spectrum into energy by breaking it up into chunks. For example, the first layer of Spectrolab's record-breaking triple-junction cell is composed of gallium indium phosphide, which converts short-wavelength portions of the spectrum, such as blue and UV. The second layer, made of gallium arsenide, captures the middle part of the spectrum. The third germanium layer does a good job with IR light.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Monday, April 9, 2007
Descending the Oil Peak: Navigating the Transition from Oil and Natural Gas
Report from the Portland Oregon Peak Oil Task Force on a proposed process for oil independence.
Peak Oil Task Force
In May 2006, Portland Oregon City Council created a Peak Oil Task Force to develop recommendations on appropriate responses to uncertainties in the supply and affordability of oil. Changes in the availability of affordable petroleum products may have significant impacts on transportation, housing, food, and other life-essential products and services. The mission of the Task Force is to identify key short-term and long-term vulnerabilities and develop recommendations for addressing these issues.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
TNT Starts Biodiesel Trial in India; Part of Global Initiative
TNT, one of the world’s leading express companies, has launched a pilot project in India to use biodiesel in its delivery vehicles.
Three trucks will participate in the year-long project between Pune, Nasik and Bangalore, covering a total distance of 45,000 kilometers (28,000 miles) per month.
...TNT’s biodiesel pilot project in India is part of the company’s global “Driving Clean” initiative to improve its environmental performance.
...For smaller vehicles, for which the Euro-5 standard has not yet been established, TNT is purchasing Euro-4 compliant vehicles with built-in particulate filters.
...Working with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), TNT is developing a tool and strategy that will allow fleet managers to generate action plans for improving the environmental performance of their fleets.
The company began a pilot in Turkey in November 2006 in which two hybrid vehicles are being tested for six months on purchasing costs, fuel costs and emission rates.
U.S., Chinese researchers collaborate on clean coal
"With demand for energy - both electricity and transportation fuels - increasing, despite efficiency gains, coal usage is going to increase in both countries," said Mike Davis, associate laboratory director for Energy Science and Technology at PNNL.
..."This is a unique opportunity to design and test new processes - such as carbon dioxide capture - that will reduce significantly the environmental impacts of coal usage," said Doug Ray, associate laboratory director for Fundamental Science at PNNL.
...Initially, the consortium expects to collaborate on air separation, coal gasification, cleanup and separation, and water gas shift reactions in the gas stream, hydrocarbon synthesis and carbon dioxide capture and utilization.
Juwi International
Juwi develops renewable energy projects worldwide. Working with landowners, local communities, financial institutions and utility companies, they evaluate sites, lease land, design, build and operate wind farms as well as large scale photovoltaic systems on rooftops and open-space installations.
First Solar
First Solar has made the Promise of Thin Film a Reality and has become one of the fastest growing manufacturers of solar modules in the world. First Solar manufactures PV modules with an advanced thin film semiconductor process that Lowers the Cost of Solar Electricity. FS Series PV modules are designed for use in large scale, grid-connected solar power plants and are sold to leading solar project developers for use in commercial PV projects. First Solar application engineers work closely with our project development partners to design the optimal balance of systems solutions for use with First Solar PV modules, ensuring high performance and long term reliability.