New Nanotechnology Raises the Efficiency of Solar Thermal Power by 10% « Solar Thermal Magazine

New Nanotechnology Raises the Efficiency of Solar Thermal Power by 10%

Nanofluid applications have the potential to increase solar thermal efficiency by approximately 10% with no redesign needed. New manufacturing techniques for 30 nm graphite spheres make this technology economically feasible for Kalahari’s products.

Using Nanofluids as a direct absorption solar collector has been demonstrated to offer unique advantages over conventional collectors.

Kalahari representatives are in exploratory discussion with research organizations for research and licensing of next generation Nanofluid formulations that have even greater efficiency benefits. A selection of materials will be conducted based on successfully concluded research results.

via solarthermalmagazine.com

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Billions for green energy: Is it worth it?

Here are the costs of going green:

Ontario’s long-term energy plan calls for $4 billion in spending on energy generated from bio-mass – i.e. composted organics, or methane from garbage dumps.

What will the province get for the $4 billion investment? It will boost the share of power generated by bio-mass 0.3 per cent, from 1 per cent of the province’s supply today, to 1.3 per cent by 2030.

Solar spending will total $9 billion, and boost solar power’s share to 1.5 per cent, from near-zero.

Wind investment will be $14 billion, boosting wind energy’s share to 10 per cent of the province’s share from 2 per cent.

All in all, those three green power technologies will soak up more than 30 per cent of the Liberals’ planned investment of $87 billion, while generating 13 per cent of over-all power by 2030.

Much of the money will come from the private sector, but the return they earn will be built into the electricity prices paid by Ontario residents and businesses.

Is it worth it?

Energy minister Brad Duguid pitches the investment in moral terms, arguing it will clean the air and make children healthier.

“There’s a cost to that,” he said Tuesday. “Together we’re building cleaner air, together we’re building an economy with thousand of clean energy jobs, and together we’re building a healthier future for our kids and grandkids. That’s something worth fighting for.”

Keith Stewart of Greenpeace says the costs of renewable power are visible, while full social costs of burning fossil and nuclear fuels are not.

“If factored into today’s bills, the cost of smog and climate change, and the cost of dealing with radioactive waste, your bill today would be a lot higher than it is, because we’re not paying those costs,” he said in an interview.

Stewart also predicted there will be “huge drops” in the cost of developing solar power as the industry matures, and Ontario can be at the forefront of technological developments in solar if it nurtures the sector at home.

Ian Howcroft, vice president of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), said developing a made-in-Ontario renewable energy sector will benefit the province.

But his group is uneasy about the plan’s cost estimates of speedy renewable development.

“We have to do it in a businesslike fashion,” he said. “We have to look at the return on investment, and we have to look at what the ultimate costs are.

“We’re supportive of the direction, but we do have concerns about how much we how much we should pay to develop wind, to develop solar, given what the ultimate cost is going to be.”

The CME will participate when the plan is subjected to scrutiny by the Ontario Energy Board, he said.

Jack Gibbons, chair of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, says that bio-mass and wind power are still likely to be less expensive than rebuilding nuclear facilities, although conservation and efficiency are the best ways to solve energy issues.

But he said in an interview that Quebec produces huge amounts of renewable power from its hydro-electric plants:

“In terms of new renewable, water power imports from Quebec are lower cost than any of the made in Ontario options.”

That would have to be negotiated with Quebec, but Gibbons says Ontario should take the initiative.

“It’s low-cost, it’s very reliable, it’s a base load supply of power, it’s not intermittent,” he said.

via thestar.com

http://solarpoweruk.blogspot.com/

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Opel Solar Granted US Patent for Latest PV Installation Technology | The Energy Collective

Opel Solar, Inc. (Opel), recently announced that the US Patent Office has approved a patent for its latest high concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) module. The new technology promises to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of solar PV installations. This most recent patent is the international company’s thirty-third, with seventeen others pending. Opel’s technology has penetrated the Ontario market and is central to renewable energy training in programs at universities in Ontario and Quebec.

via theenergycollective.com

http://solarpoweruk.blogspot.com/

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PV can play a huge part in power generation

A SOLAR technology expert based in the North East will use an upcoming conference to push for more political and financial backing for photovoltaic technology in the UK.

At the Solar Flair conference at County Durham’s Lumley Castle next month, Northumbria University’s Dr Ian Forbes will warn that the nation must dig deeper to avoid falling behind countries such as Germany, Japan and the USA.

Dr Forbes – a member of international research body PV-21 Supergen – believes the next decade will be crucial in determining whether Britain will be a major supplier or a buyer of solar power.

He said: “A lot of people don’t believe it is reasonable to use PV in the UK but that’s not the case. Germany is the biggest market with around 40% of the world’s total and the UK has only about 15% less sunlight on average than Germany. The market is going to be there and we are either going to be able to benefit from it or not.

“If we say it won’t happen here, by the time we realise it can happen here we will have missed the boat.

“The decision-makers need to be aware of what’s happening elsewhere and not think that it’s not possible here. If they do rule it out they are effectively putting a constraint on our economy. It’s the biggest resource available and outstrips nuclear, wind and other energy sources.”

via nebusiness.co.uk

http://solarpoweruk.blogspot.com/

Solar-powered plane completes 14-day unmanned flight

A new Zephyr plane has broken aviation records and has future potential in the areas of surveillance and communications.

The UK-built solar-powered high-altitude long endurance unmanned air system (UAS) Zephyr landed earlier today after a two-week flight over the Arizona desert. The Zephyr set down at 15:04 Irish time, having been airborne for 14 days and 24 minutes.

Following its flight, the Zephyr has set some performance and altitude records, including achieving the longest ever duration for an unmanned flight.

UK's largest solar panel unveiled in Norfolk

The UK's largest solar panel, which tracks the movement of the sun, was officially switched on at the Ecotech Centre in Swaffham yesterday.

The £50,000 array of 44 silicon cells is mounted on a sophisticated mechanism which tilts and turns to follow the arc of the sun from dawn until dusk, making it up to 30pc more efficient than static units.

Positioned at the foot of the towering wind turbine run by green energy firm Ecotricity, the solar array is expected to generate 7,500 units of electricity per year to power the centre, with any surplus sold on to the National Grid.

But as well as reducing electricity bills, centre bosses hope it could also mark a new horizon for the fledgling solar power industry - and a unique education opportunity for visitors and school groups.

Yingli Solar - Who We Are

Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (NYSE: YGE), who holds the brand Yingli Solar, is a leading solar energy company and one of the world's largest vertically integrated photovoltaic manufacturers. We develop, manufacture and sell photovoltaic modules to a wide range of markets, including Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, South Korea, China, and the United States.
 

Headquartered in Baoding, China, we have more than 6000 employees and more than 10 branch offices worldwide. Yingli Green Energy is publicly listed on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: YGE).
 

At Yingli, we are responding to the worldwide growing demand for renewable and affordable energy by supplying products that convert sunlight into electricity.
 

We employ a balanced vertical integration strategy and utilize cutting-edge technologies to produce high-quality products with competitive cost structures. Maintaining both a global presence and local expertise, we are dedicated to serving our customers.
 

We aspire to be socially and environmentally responsible in every decision we make. As a leader in sustainable energy solutions, we are proud of our mission: to make solar power an enduring and cost-effective technology for all humankind.
 

via yinglisolar.com

World cup sponsers 2010- photovoltaic solar power

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