SolarWindow™ window coating generates electricity from light, both from the sun, and artificial light, as well. It is extremely versatile, able to be printed onto glass, plastic, or even paper, making it easy to install this wonder material in many places. This coating sets itself apart from others we have featured, as it can be…
Tag Archives: solar energy
14
May
May
How do you choose between a ground mounted solar system and a rooftop mounted system? This article will explain the benefits of each.
29
Jun
Jun
NEXT Energy Technologies has developed a scalable solar window coating that allows commercial glass products to produce clean energy from the sun. The product pays for itself in a year and provides clean energy for up to 30 years. “It is certainly not an overstatement to describe this technology as a game-changer with far-reaching implications…
21
Mar
Mar
Dubai-based Emirates Insolaire will supply about 12,000 solar glass panels to the Copenhagen International School in Denmark, boosting the facility’s production of clean electricity. Emirates Insolaire produces and distributes colored solar glass and colored PV modules using what is called Kromatix technology. This technology allows solar PV to be integrated into the architectural design of all types…
14
Mar
Mar
What if glass windows could produce enough electricity to power the energy needs of an entire building? This is precisely the goal of photovoltaic glass. The principle is simple and has been around for several years now: it is a solar panel system integrated into double glazing. It works just like a traditional solar collector…
11
Jan
Jan
Join me for Part IV of this interview series with John Perlin concerning our forests. Today’s subject: “Fighting for Photons,” a subject about which Perlin knows plenty. He is the author of two diverse and important books which explore this subject: “A Forest Journey: the Story of Wood and Civilization,” and “Let It Shine:…
23
Nov
Nov
Originally published on CleanTechnica Builders seeking a net-zero energy home showcase can look to BuiltGreen’s zHome townhome complex in Issaquah, Washington. White paper released According to a BuiltGreen white paper, the zHome development is the first net-zero energy townhome complex in the US, a project meant to spur the market toward deep green housing for the average…
04
Nov
Nov
Last week San Diego Gas & Electric warned distributed energy enthusiasts it expects to reach caps on net metering in the summer of 2016. According to pv-magazine, SDG&E’s numbers show that existing installations and pending applications take up 74% of available capacity in the program. This opens the door to what “net metering 2.0” might look…
27
Oct
Oct
Delta, a global specialist in power and thermal management solutions, announced opening its new Americas headquarters in Fremont, California. The facility was designed to meet LEED Platinum and net zero standards. According to press information, this 180,000 square-foot facility is a testament to Delta’s commitment to sustainability. Over 1,000 MWh of electricity is expected to…
09
Sep
Sep
Smartflower POP+ enables anyone to start their own personal energy revolution. The integrated power storage unit makes this all-in-one solar power system – the only one of its kind in the world – up to 100% independent of the grid day and night. How does smartflower work? With the first rays of the sun,…
04
Jun
Jun
Pika Energy* makes renewable energy systems for homes and businesses that can use solar and wind power combined, or each one individually. Phillip Swanson, an application engineered there, answered some questions for us about its technology. How long does the installation process take? A typical Pika installation will be conducted in 2 phases. The first…
24
Oct
Oct
Conventional wisdom says that panels should be installed facing south to get the most solar exposure (in the northern hemisphere). South-facing panels create the most power in the morning and mid-day, but peak demand for electricity typically occurs in the late afternoon. Because of that, a number of solar experts have begun to say that…
30
Sep
Sep
The Story of Eagleyew: A High Efficiency Natural Building on Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada I’m pleased to say that I have been building Natural Buildings for a number of years now. My work has taken me up and down the West coast of North America, with a focus in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve been calling…
13
Dec
Dec
Blog writer James Vasanth has written to share his insights with readers on the daunting DIY task of building a solar concentrator for solar hot water. He writes, “In this post, I’ll discuss some key points including how to build your own 2-axis parabolic concentrator.” Thanks, James. The “how-to” steps are welcome, however, a ready made version sounds even better after counting all the steps.
14
Nov
Nov
Guided by an advisory board of academic experts and solar professionals, the PSI PV Module Rating is based on physical tests by independent laboratories such as TÜV Rheinland, but is presented as a single comparative number that can be used with circumstantial information such as deliverability, pricing and manufacturer reputation so that solar power plant designers, buyers and financiers have a consistent basis for choosing a particular PV module. The system empowers these decision-makers to make informed, intelligent comparisons and determinations when selecting PV modules.
17
Oct
Oct
With the cost of solar power installations coming down, the ability to expand a solar infrastructure from experimental to more lasting energy production was stimulated in 2010 by government policies for feed-in tariffs. Feed-in tariffs for solar power effectively pay users and businesses a small amount for the energy they produce, and offer contractors long-term contracts on a guaranteed purchase basis over 25 years.
07
Sep
Sep
There is an increasing awareness in Australia about the obvious advantages and benefits of switching to solar power. Not only does it contribute to a more ecologically sustainable environment, but in the long term, it also saves you money on power bills.
22
Aug
Aug
When most people think of using solar energy in their homes, they envision massive arrays of solar panels attached to the roof and complete detachment from the traditional power grid. Unfortunately, harnessing the sun’s energy to the point of being able to go off the grid is still cost-prohibitive for the average homeowner, particularly if they own an existing property. There are ways to help offset these costs, but there are also a number of ways to utilize solar power in the home without a complete overhaul.
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