Articles tagged with: Energy Efficiency
Posted in Cells, Eco-Friendly, Efficiency, Energy, Solar on 24 September 2008
Suniva Inc., a manufacturer of high value crystalline silicon solar cells, recently announced that its R&D team has developed several silicon solar cells with over 20% conversion efficiencies using a patented combination of simple cell designs and screen printing technologies. These high efficiency milestones have been verified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the U.S. Department of Energy’s premier laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. Following the company’s two recent customer agreements with Germany’s Solon AG and India’s Titan Energy Systems Ltd, together worth approximately USD$1 billion, this demonstrates “Suniva’s advanced technologies in diffusion, surface passivation and contacts increase conversion efficiency while reducing processing time and maintaining low cell cost.” according to Dr. Ajeet Rohatgi, its founder and CTO.
Suniva’s current ARTisun(TM) cell technology has produced a verified efficiency of 18.5% in the lab and its techniques can produce solar energy for 8 to 10 cents per KWh— a comparable price to conventional energy sources in the United States. Suniva can create a higher sheet resistance emitter as well as enhanced surface passivation dielectrics in a single high temperature step. It produces narrower screen-printed contacts on the front of the cell and a high-quality surface reflector on the back. These components, combined with improved texturing methodologies, allow it to trap light and achieve high efficiencies while keeping costs low.
Though it’s still time for long way to go before the cheap solar cells are on the market, this one is sure to be a cost-effective and environment friendly device & indeed worth being called a breakthrough in the cell technology.
Via Earth2Tech
Posted in Energy, Gadgets, Green, Technology on 30 August 2008
SpinPoint N2 could very well be the technology that could have the market ‘Spinning’ around Samsung for exclusive rights in the coming few moths. While the Western world is still largely aloof to the fact, Samsung is all set to release its new 1.8 inch 120 GB USB Drive in Chinese, Japanese and Korean markets very soon. Samsung is also reportedly pushing to have these new 1.8-inch drives in selected Apple devices such as the iPod and the MacBook Air.
It is not at all surprising that Samsung is pushing for its technology to be affiliated only with the best and the sleekest possible gadgets as it gives both the company and consumers a sense of exclusivity. But the best part of this tiny little piece of ‘Black Magic’ is that it is far more energy efficient than any of its predecessors. Apparently the device falls in the 0.8 to 1.4 watts range when active and 0.07 watts when in stand-by.
Unearthed images of the device point out that the Samsung SpinPoint N2 is small enough to fit your wallet with the price of N2 as much as $293 for the 120GB version. That should empty your pocket enough to make space for N2 and even then it still seems a pretty good buy.
Via Goodcleantech
Posted in Go green, Renewable, Solar on 17 July 2008
Grace Cathedral- San Francisco landmark building is all set to don a green aspect atop its roof. After all the hue and cry over use of renewable energy sources in today’s times to ensure a safer and cleaner future, now this God’s abode will get its power supply via solar energy. Mayor Gavin Newsom announced the news today morning at the church steps. State- of-the art photovoltaic cells will now be installed on the top of Grace Cathedral and the cost incurred in doing that will be taken care by Pacific Gas and Electrics contribution of $65,000. The Cathedral’s dean Alan Jones expressed his happiness over the new initiative. He said, “We’re grateful to PG&E for its generous contribution to Grace Cathedral’s ongoing environmental efforts. This new solar power system will help us conserve valuable resources, and empower us to be a part of the solution to attack greenhouse gases and global warming.”
The drive indeed is a very positive one and will be an inspiration to private owners of huge properties and corporate giants who haven’t yet embraced this cleaner option for energy generation. Now it seems, Grace Cathedral with stand out for reasons beyond its architecture; it will be a repository of faith for all those cynics who believe global warming is only Al Gore’s muse and for all those eco-lovers who believe in a green tomorrow through today’s sustained efforts.
Via Enn