Investment Managers Still Lagging in Response to Climate Change
California State Teacher's Retirement System (CalSTRS) $130 B
"As a long-term investor, CalSTRS wants to invest in well-managed companies that can address the physical risks of climate change and adapt to the changing regulatory and market realities of a carbon-constrained economy," said Jack Ehnes, chief executive officer of CalSTRS, the nation's second largest public pension fund, with more than $130 billion of assets under management. "Our asset managers need to ask the right questions and critically evaluate how companies are positioned so that we’re sure that our investments will produce outstanding risk-adjusted returns for our members."
The survey was done at the request of the Investor Network on Climate Risk, a network of 80-plus pension funds and other institutional investors who rely on asset managers to manage their investment portfolios. Eighty-four asset managers managing $8.6 trillion in assets completed the survey, including 66 in the P&I top 500 list and 18 others who responded at the specific request of INCR client members.
In summary, the survey found only a few asset managers – MFS Investment
Management and F&C Asset Management plc, among those – that are including
climate risks and opportunities throughout their investment analysis – in their
asset allocation, portfolio valuation, and corporate governance due diligence. Like
companies that are rethinking and retooling their business strategies in response to
climate change, these asset manager leaders are positioning themselves to capture
the opportunities and understand and manage the risks of climate change across
their portfolios.
The vast majority of respondents, 84 asset managers managing $8.6 trillion
completed the survey, including 66 in the P&I 500, are in the preliminary stages
of including climate risk in their due diligence.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Ceres and CalPERS Announce Initiative to Accelerate Corporate Action on Global Sustainability Challenges
Ceres and CalPERS Announce Initiative to Accelerate Corporate Action on Global Sustainability Challenges
Announced today at the Clinton Global Initiative, the collaboration catalyzes a powerful group of investors, corporate leaders and other key market players to propel 1,000 companies to embed sustainability factors into day-to-day decision-making, including operations, product development and global supply chains.
The initiative will include roundtables and forums in California and other parts of the country with companies and investors. Much of the activity will evolve around The 21st Century Corporation: Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability, a comprehensive Ceres report that outlines the urgency, vision and competitive advantages for companies to fully embrace sustainability and 20 key expectations for achieving such a goal.
The Ceres “21st Century Sustainable Corporation” report is a key tool for integrating sustainability into the DNA of business – from the boardroom, to copy rooms, and across entire supply chains. The roundtables and forums will help drive companies to implement key expectations outlined in the Roadmap, including:
Announced today at the Clinton Global Initiative, the collaboration catalyzes a powerful group of investors, corporate leaders and other key market players to propel 1,000 companies to embed sustainability factors into day-to-day decision-making, including operations, product development and global supply chains.
The initiative will include roundtables and forums in California and other parts of the country with companies and investors. Much of the activity will evolve around The 21st Century Corporation: Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability, a comprehensive Ceres report that outlines the urgency, vision and competitive advantages for companies to fully embrace sustainability and 20 key expectations for achieving such a goal.
The Ceres “21st Century Sustainable Corporation” report is a key tool for integrating sustainability into the DNA of business – from the boardroom, to copy rooms, and across entire supply chains. The roundtables and forums will help drive companies to implement key expectations outlined in the Roadmap, including:
- Make energy efficiency and renewable energy the foundation for company operations;
- Design and implement closed-loop systems so that air and wastewater emissions are eliminated and zero waste is produced;
- Require 75 percent of top tier suppliers to meet company sustainability performance standards;
- Dedicate 50 percent of R&D investment to developing sustainability solutions;
- Compensate and provide incentives for top executives and other employees to drive sustainability into the business.
Cleantech Stimulus Still Not Stimulating | Alternative Energy Stocks
Cleantech Stimulus Still Not Stimulating | Alternative Energy Stocks
Of the $31 B that was granted for the clean tech industry in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, less than 25% of these funds have been deployed over the last 12 months.
Of the $31 B that was granted for the clean tech industry in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, less than 25% of these funds have been deployed over the last 12 months.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Alice in EVland: 6 Impossible Things I Believe -- Seeking Alpha
Alice in EVland: 6 Impossible Things I Believe -- Seeking Alpha
This blog discusses the disadvantage that EV vehicles have over hybrids in CO2 reduction, the inadequate economic payback of an EV, the safety issues surrounding lithium ion batteries.
This blog discusses the disadvantage that EV vehicles have over hybrids in CO2 reduction, the inadequate economic payback of an EV, the safety issues surrounding lithium ion batteries.
Monday, September 20, 2010
A Power Sticker to Boost Solar Power Generation
A Power Sticker to Boost Solar Power Generation
Boosts efficiencies by 10%. Cost to existing installations of 1%. Genie Lens Technologies
Boosts efficiencies by 10%. Cost to existing installations of 1%. Genie Lens Technologies
Monday, September 13, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Dravis Group LLC, San Francisco
Dravis Group LLC, Consultant
Mr. Dravis's approach to Cleantech is a good one: look for supporting industries that have less technological risk than the high profile start-ups. He currently likes Cosan (CZZ), SQM (SQM), General Cable (BGC), and Power-One (PWER) almost all of which I've had good things to say about in the past, for similar reasons (see here, here, and here). The only one I have not talked about is SQM, which is not green enough for my taste (admittedly a fairly high bar.) That said, I was more impressed by his feel for market timing than his industry knowledge, so much so that I asked him to send me his weekly newsletter, the Dravis Wealth Advisor, which he does not charge for. If you're interested in giving his newsletter a try, send him an email at p a u l at d r a v i s dot n e t. Like me, he's currently quite bearish, so don't rush out to buy his picks unless you're also prepared to hedge them.
Mr. Dravis's approach to Cleantech is a good one: look for supporting industries that have less technological risk than the high profile start-ups. He currently likes Cosan (CZZ), SQM (SQM), General Cable (BGC), and Power-One (PWER) almost all of which I've had good things to say about in the past, for similar reasons (see here, here, and here). The only one I have not talked about is SQM, which is not green enough for my taste (admittedly a fairly high bar.) That said, I was more impressed by his feel for market timing than his industry knowledge, so much so that I asked him to send me his weekly newsletter, the Dravis Wealth Advisor, which he does not charge for. If you're interested in giving his newsletter a try, send him an email at p a u l at d r a v i s dot n e t. Like me, he's currently quite bearish, so don't rush out to buy his picks unless you're also prepared to hedge them.
CalCEF Angel Fund, San Francisco, CA
CalCEF Angel Fund, San Francisco, CA
Susan Preston and Paul Fox
What is California Clean Energy Fund and what is its interest in early stage investing?
The California Clean Energy Fund (CalCEF) is a nonprofit corporation formed in 2004 to accelerate investment in California’s clean energy ecosystem. Established as a result of the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) bankruptcy, CalCEF seeks to promote the growth of companies developing a wide range of clean energy technologies that will bring economic and environmental benefits to California. CalCEF has a number of programs in place to provide financial and intellectual capital to promising clean energy companies at various stages of the investment life cycle. Of particular note, CalCEF is currently building a later-stage evergreen clean energy investment portfolio that combines thought leadership and investment capital to produce market-based returns and support California’s world-leading policy objectives. A core element of CalCEF’s mission is to identify and address gaps in the clean energy funding cycle. Given the wide and ever increasing gap in investment funding for seed and start up clean energy companies, the launch of an angel fund is a natural extension of CalCEF’s approach to the clean energy market. CalCEF’s domain expertise, its experience in building a clean energy investment portfolio and its relationships with investment managers and clean energy stakeholders position CalCEF to bring critical resources to the Angel Fund.
Susan Preston and Paul Fox
What is California Clean Energy Fund and what is its interest in early stage investing?
The California Clean Energy Fund (CalCEF) is a nonprofit corporation formed in 2004 to accelerate investment in California’s clean energy ecosystem. Established as a result of the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) bankruptcy, CalCEF seeks to promote the growth of companies developing a wide range of clean energy technologies that will bring economic and environmental benefits to California. CalCEF has a number of programs in place to provide financial and intellectual capital to promising clean energy companies at various stages of the investment life cycle. Of particular note, CalCEF is currently building a later-stage evergreen clean energy investment portfolio that combines thought leadership and investment capital to produce market-based returns and support California’s world-leading policy objectives. A core element of CalCEF’s mission is to identify and address gaps in the clean energy funding cycle. Given the wide and ever increasing gap in investment funding for seed and start up clean energy companies, the launch of an angel fund is a natural extension of CalCEF’s approach to the clean energy market. CalCEF’s domain expertise, its experience in building a clean energy investment portfolio and its relationships with investment managers and clean energy stakeholders position CalCEF to bring critical resources to the Angel Fund.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Solaren Corp. to Launch Solar Panels into Orbit
Solaren Corp. to Launch Solar Panels into Orbit
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) from San Francisco is in the energy sector for decades. They have produced power from atomic energy, natural gas and water. Now PG&E has gone ahead and collaborated with Manhattan Beach start-up called Solaren Corporation. But what put this deal apart from others? Actually Solaren Corporation aims to launch a series of giant solar collectors into orbit 23,000 miles above Fresno. They will beam the energy to earth in the form of radio waves. Now PG&E has finalized a contract with Solaren to buy the power on one condition if they can make the technology work.
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) from San Francisco is in the energy sector for decades. They have produced power from atomic energy, natural gas and water. Now PG&E has gone ahead and collaborated with Manhattan Beach start-up called Solaren Corporation. But what put this deal apart from others? Actually Solaren Corporation aims to launch a series of giant solar collectors into orbit 23,000 miles above Fresno. They will beam the energy to earth in the form of radio waves. Now PG&E has finalized a contract with Solaren to buy the power on one condition if they can make the technology work.
Molten Salt Solar Plant
Molten Salt Solar Plant
A Santa Monica-based energy firm known as SolarReserve in association with a rocket maker in Canoga Park is planning to set up a much larger plant in this desert area to power around 100,000 homes. This power plant will consume molten salt, water, sun’s heat and rocket science to generate electricity. SolarReserve have already patented the technology. Engineers from Rocketdyne are instrumental in developing this technology. Terry Murphy who is the president of SolarReserve says, “Molten salt is the secret sauce.” Many technological ideas are being in various state of readiness to be implemented in California. But analysts found molten salt technology as most unusual and at the same time promising idea. Nathaniel Bullard, a solar energy analyst with New Energy Finance in Alexandria, Va, thinks, “It’s actually something we’ll likely see in a few years. It’s moving along in a nice way, and they have good capital behind it.” Last year the company secured $140 million in venture capital.
The biggest advantage of the molten salt is once cooled, it could be reutilized for the same purpose. The molten salt can be stored for days to generate electricity. We know that storage of power is great problem as far as energy generated from alternative sources. We can store power in a battery on a small scale basis such as car or home. But power for such a large scale can’t be stored in batteries. Murphy elaborates on the solution to power storage, “You can put that (molten salt) into a storage tank that would look much like a tank at an oil refinery. We can store that energy almost indefinitely.”
SolarReserve, is providing funds to the venture and doing the marketing of the project. Many environmentalists groups are voicing concern about the amount of water utilized. But SolarReserve officials are sure that the plant would use one-tenth the amount of water required by a conventional plant.
A Santa Monica-based energy firm known as SolarReserve in association with a rocket maker in Canoga Park is planning to set up a much larger plant in this desert area to power around 100,000 homes. This power plant will consume molten salt, water, sun’s heat and rocket science to generate electricity. SolarReserve have already patented the technology. Engineers from Rocketdyne are instrumental in developing this technology. Terry Murphy who is the president of SolarReserve says, “Molten salt is the secret sauce.” Many technological ideas are being in various state of readiness to be implemented in California. But analysts found molten salt technology as most unusual and at the same time promising idea. Nathaniel Bullard, a solar energy analyst with New Energy Finance in Alexandria, Va, thinks, “It’s actually something we’ll likely see in a few years. It’s moving along in a nice way, and they have good capital behind it.” Last year the company secured $140 million in venture capital.
The biggest advantage of the molten salt is once cooled, it could be reutilized for the same purpose. The molten salt can be stored for days to generate electricity. We know that storage of power is great problem as far as energy generated from alternative sources. We can store power in a battery on a small scale basis such as car or home. But power for such a large scale can’t be stored in batteries. Murphy elaborates on the solution to power storage, “You can put that (molten salt) into a storage tank that would look much like a tank at an oil refinery. We can store that energy almost indefinitely.”
SolarReserve, is providing funds to the venture and doing the marketing of the project. Many environmentalists groups are voicing concern about the amount of water utilized. But SolarReserve officials are sure that the plant would use one-tenth the amount of water required by a conventional plant.
World’s Most Ambitious Solar Plan in LA
PoliWorld’s Most Ambitious Solar Plan in LA
The city of Los Angles is taking up the world’s most ambitious solar power project. Till date this project will be the largest solar power plan started by any city in the world. They are planning to install 1.3 Giga Watts (GW) of solar power and register their city’s name in the book of green economy. The plan was announced by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Council President Eric Garcetti, Council member Jan Perry and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). This program is known as Solar LA. They aim to replace the fossil fuels during peak energy requirement and the program lays out a far-reaching and long-lasting course of action for a network of residential, commercial and municipally-owned solar systems to replace fossil fuels during peak energy demand.
The Solar LA plan covers three primary components: first one is the programs to boost residential and commercial customer solar systems; second one will be the LADWP-owned solar projects in Los Angeles; and the third one will be the large-scale solar projects owned by the LADWP outside of the LA basin.
The city of Los Angles is taking up the world’s most ambitious solar power project. Till date this project will be the largest solar power plan started by any city in the world. They are planning to install 1.3 Giga Watts (GW) of solar power and register their city’s name in the book of green economy. The plan was announced by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Council President Eric Garcetti, Council member Jan Perry and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). This program is known as Solar LA. They aim to replace the fossil fuels during peak energy requirement and the program lays out a far-reaching and long-lasting course of action for a network of residential, commercial and municipally-owned solar systems to replace fossil fuels during peak energy demand.
The Solar LA plan covers three primary components: first one is the programs to boost residential and commercial customer solar systems; second one will be the LADWP-owned solar projects in Los Angeles; and the third one will be the large-scale solar projects owned by the LADWP outside of the LA basin.
World’s Largest Solar Power Project Planned in India
World’s Largest Solar Power Project Planned
Gujarat, a state of India, is quite eager to opt for alternative sources of energy. It started out as a small dream. The Gujarat government visualized only 500 MW of solar power generation by 2014. But this humble goal may now be increased to 3,000 MW. The Gujarat Government is undertaking a $10 billion project and it will hold the distinction of the world’s largest solar power facility in India. This project will be backed by former U.S. President Bill Clinton. The 3,000oMW project will get aid with logistics and financial support from the William J Clinton Foundation.
The Clinton Climate Initiative which is a part of the foundation will assist in identifying producers of solar thermal equipment.
Gujarat, a state of India, is quite eager to opt for alternative sources of energy. It started out as a small dream. The Gujarat government visualized only 500 MW of solar power generation by 2014. But this humble goal may now be increased to 3,000 MW. The Gujarat Government is undertaking a $10 billion project and it will hold the distinction of the world’s largest solar power facility in India. This project will be backed by former U.S. President Bill Clinton. The 3,000oMW project will get aid with logistics and financial support from the William J Clinton Foundation.
The Clinton Climate Initiative which is a part of the foundation will assist in identifying producers of solar thermal equipment.
Powering Up The Nation’s Largest Solar Power Plant
Powering Up The Nation’s Largest Solar Power Plant
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has announced the near completion of its DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center in Arcadia, Florida. This solar power plant will be producing electricity by the end of month. This project is ahead of its schedule. The plant has an impressive number of 90,000 photovoltaic panels. Experts claim that this solar power plant will generate around 110MW of electricity by the end of 2010. This will provide Florida with the distinction of the second largest solar power-producing state in the country.
FPL is building three commercial-scale, non conventional solar power plants. They are DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center, Florida, solar energy centers in Martin County and at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Together, these will produce a total of 110 megawatts of capacity by the end of 2010. They are expected to make Florida the second largest solar power-producing state in the country.
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has announced the near completion of its DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center in Arcadia, Florida. This solar power plant will be producing electricity by the end of month. This project is ahead of its schedule. The plant has an impressive number of 90,000 photovoltaic panels. Experts claim that this solar power plant will generate around 110MW of electricity by the end of 2010. This will provide Florida with the distinction of the second largest solar power-producing state in the country.
FPL is building three commercial-scale, non conventional solar power plants. They are DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center, Florida, solar energy centers in Martin County and at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Together, these will produce a total of 110 megawatts of capacity by the end of 2010. They are expected to make Florida the second largest solar power-producing state in the country.
Cash Incentives for Solar Energy in California
Cash Incentives for Solar Energy in California
Assembly Bill 920, authored by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-Marin, and signed by the governor of California, requires utilities to pay solar customers who produce more energy than they use.
Currently homeowners that produce more solar energy than they produce can zero their bills but they’re not paid for the extra energy they feed back into the grid. The payment for producing extra energy is known as “feed-in tariffs” and such an incentive has seen great success in European countries like German and Spain.
Under the new law, the California Public Utilities Commission is required to set the rate for the paybacks by Jan. 1, 2011.
Assembly Bill 920, authored by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-Marin, and signed by the governor of California, requires utilities to pay solar customers who produce more energy than they use.
Currently homeowners that produce more solar energy than they produce can zero their bills but they’re not paid for the extra energy they feed back into the grid. The payment for producing extra energy is known as “feed-in tariffs” and such an incentive has seen great success in European countries like German and Spain.
Under the new law, the California Public Utilities Commission is required to set the rate for the paybacks by Jan. 1, 2011.
Sharp Solar Breaks Conversion Efficiency Record
Sharp Solar Breaks Conversion Efficiency Record
According to the company, it’s a title-holding 35.8 percent cell conversion efficiency with the help of a triple-junction compound cell. Sharp team has been working on this project since 2000.
According to the company, it’s a title-holding 35.8 percent cell conversion efficiency with the help of a triple-junction compound cell. Sharp team has been working on this project since 2000.
World Bank to Invest in North African Solar
World Bank to Invest in North African Solar
The World Bank will invest $5.5 billion for North African solar power projects. They have announced that initially World Bank will put in $750 million dollars from the Clean Technology Fund with the remaining amount will be arranged from other sources. World Bank is expecting to complete these projects by 2015. They are willing to include five countries in this project and hoping to triple world wide concentrated solar power technology (CSP) capacity.
The World Bank will invest $5.5 billion for North African solar power projects. They have announced that initially World Bank will put in $750 million dollars from the Clean Technology Fund with the remaining amount will be arranged from other sources. World Bank is expecting to complete these projects by 2015. They are willing to include five countries in this project and hoping to triple world wide concentrated solar power technology (CSP) capacity.
Google Plans New Solar Mirror Technology
Google Plans New Solar Mirror Technology
They are developing a new mirror technology for cheaper solar power. Weihl confirms, “Typically what we’re seeing is $2.50 to $4 a watt (for) capital cost. So a 250 megawatt installation would be $600 million to a $1 billion. It’s a lot of money.” That amounts to 12 to 18 cents a kilowatt/hour. They are using solar energy to heat up a substance that produces steam. This steam will turn the wheels of turbines. Mirrors will start the whole process by directing the sun’s rays on the substance to heat it up. Bill Weihl reaffirms his company’s commitment, “We’ve been looking at very unusual materials for the mirrors both for the reflective surface as well as the substrate that the mirror is mounted on.”
They are developing a new mirror technology for cheaper solar power. Weihl confirms, “Typically what we’re seeing is $2.50 to $4 a watt (for) capital cost. So a 250 megawatt installation would be $600 million to a $1 billion. It’s a lot of money.” That amounts to 12 to 18 cents a kilowatt/hour. They are using solar energy to heat up a substance that produces steam. This steam will turn the wheels of turbines. Mirrors will start the whole process by directing the sun’s rays on the substance to heat it up. Bill Weihl reaffirms his company’s commitment, “We’ve been looking at very unusual materials for the mirrors both for the reflective surface as well as the substrate that the mirror is mounted on.”
Prototype Solar Power-Assist for Buses
Prototype Solar Power-Assist for Buses
Sunpods Inc. is California-based manufacturing company. They produce modular, fully integrated and tested solar power generation systems. Recently they have come out with an idea of the first solar power-assist system for buses. They should be applauded for developing it in a mere six weeks. Their partner is Bauer Intelligent Transportation
Sunpods Inc. is California-based manufacturing company. They produce modular, fully integrated and tested solar power generation systems. Recently they have come out with an idea of the first solar power-assist system for buses. They should be applauded for developing it in a mere six weeks. Their partner is Bauer Intelligent Transportation
SunEdison to Build Europe’s Largest Solar Power Plant
SunEdison to Build Europe’s Largest Solar Power Plant
SunEdison is a division of MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. They have bagged a project to develop and construct a photovoltaic solar power plant in Northeastern Italy, near the town of Rovigo. This solar power plant will have a capacity of 72 Megawatt (MW). This will be the largest solar power plant in Europe.
This solar-power plant will enjoy the distinction of being the largest in Europe. Presently, the largest solar power plant exists in Olmedilla, Spain. Its capacity is is a 60MW. Another solar power plant is in Strasskirchen, Germany. It has the capacity of 50 MW.
SunEdison is a division of MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. They have bagged a project to develop and construct a photovoltaic solar power plant in Northeastern Italy, near the town of Rovigo. This solar power plant will have a capacity of 72 Megawatt (MW). This will be the largest solar power plant in Europe.
This solar-power plant will enjoy the distinction of being the largest in Europe. Presently, the largest solar power plant exists in Olmedilla, Spain. Its capacity is is a 60MW. Another solar power plant is in Strasskirchen, Germany. It has the capacity of 50 MW.
Carbon-based Solar Cells
Carbon-based Solar Cells
Graphene is a single sheet of carbon, one atom thick. Graphene has potential to be utilized as an effective, less toxic and cheaper than other alternatives for solar cells. Chemists at Indiana University Bloomington are trying to come up with a better alternative than silicon. If successful, this can be a path breaking discovery.
Graphene is a single sheet of carbon, one atom thick. Graphene has potential to be utilized as an effective, less toxic and cheaper than other alternatives for solar cells. Chemists at Indiana University Bloomington are trying to come up with a better alternative than silicon. If successful, this can be a path breaking discovery.
PV Cell Prototype Generates Electricity from IR and UV Light
PV Cell Prototype Generates Electricity from IR and UV Light
Recently scientists at the Kyoto Institute of Technology have deviated from the normal path and tried to trap the visible as well as invisible rays of sun for electricity. They tried to create a new photovoltaic cell that can capture visible, infrared and ultraviolet light of the sun. The team now thinks that this photovoltaic will be highly efficient for solar power conversion.
These new PV cells were made up of gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor. This new photovoltaic cell is created by ‘doping’ a wide bandgap transparent composite semiconductor i.e. gallium nitride (GaN) with a 3d transition metal such as manganese. Gallium belongs to the family of scandium, titanium, vanadium, chrome, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc. Sonoda explained that his team has gone for those additive elements. He said that even aluminum nitride (AlN), which has a very large bandgap, can possibly have an absorbing region in the visible light range,
Recently scientists at the Kyoto Institute of Technology have deviated from the normal path and tried to trap the visible as well as invisible rays of sun for electricity. They tried to create a new photovoltaic cell that can capture visible, infrared and ultraviolet light of the sun. The team now thinks that this photovoltaic will be highly efficient for solar power conversion.
These new PV cells were made up of gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor. This new photovoltaic cell is created by ‘doping’ a wide bandgap transparent composite semiconductor i.e. gallium nitride (GaN) with a 3d transition metal such as manganese. Gallium belongs to the family of scandium, titanium, vanadium, chrome, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc. Sonoda explained that his team has gone for those additive elements. He said that even aluminum nitride (AlN), which has a very large bandgap, can possibly have an absorbing region in the visible light range,
MIT Researchers Print a Solar Cell on Paper
MIT Researchers Print a Solar Cell on Paper
Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have effectively coated paper with a solar cell. It is a part of a suite of research projects aimed at energy breakthroughs.
Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have effectively coated paper with a solar cell. It is a part of a suite of research projects aimed at energy breakthroughs.
Nanosolar: Solar Power at a Lower Cost
Nanosolar: Solar Power at a Lower Cost
The low efficiency which haunted Nanosolar raising the cost of installation of solar-power arrays and which necessitated more solar panels has been addressed successfully by Nanosolar. The larger panels they are now using generate more power; with modifications that cut the cost, the larger panels generate 160 watts as against 70 watts by First Solar.
Power output:
According to Martin Roscheisen, Nanosolar’s CEO, in sunny locations, power plants with these panels could produce electricity at 5-6 cents per kilowatt hour. Mr. Roscheisen claimed even the 16.4 % energy conversion in sunlight as against 20% energy conversion in the lab and only 11% of that energy into electricity by Nanosolar is high enough compared to conventional solar panels.
Not bankable?
But the claimed low costs are attainable only at close-to-capacity operation level which is at best a distant possibility. Because despite all improvements, under the current economic scenario, Nanosolar is finding it tough to find banks willing to back power plants which may be ready to use their solar panels. Now the panels are not yet “bankable;” but Nanosolar is hoping for a better future.
The low efficiency which haunted Nanosolar raising the cost of installation of solar-power arrays and which necessitated more solar panels has been addressed successfully by Nanosolar. The larger panels they are now using generate more power; with modifications that cut the cost, the larger panels generate 160 watts as against 70 watts by First Solar.
Power output:
According to Martin Roscheisen, Nanosolar’s CEO, in sunny locations, power plants with these panels could produce electricity at 5-6 cents per kilowatt hour. Mr. Roscheisen claimed even the 16.4 % energy conversion in sunlight as against 20% energy conversion in the lab and only 11% of that energy into electricity by Nanosolar is high enough compared to conventional solar panels.
Not bankable?
But the claimed low costs are attainable only at close-to-capacity operation level which is at best a distant possibility. Because despite all improvements, under the current economic scenario, Nanosolar is finding it tough to find banks willing to back power plants which may be ready to use their solar panels. Now the panels are not yet “bankable;” but Nanosolar is hoping for a better future.
Multi-layer gallium stacks
Sun Shines on Solar Energy Future
Instead of thin single-layer gallium arsenide deposited on small wafers, the Illinois group tried to create ‘pancake’-like stacks of 10 layers deposited at one go and peel the layers off individually, transfer them and lay them side by side. Giving all details of this procedure, Professor Rogers, the Lee J. Flory Founder Chair in Engineering Innovation & Professor of materials science and engineering and of chemistry said, “We’re creating bulk quantities of material, as opposed to just the thin single-layer manner in which it is typically grown…. “You really multiply the area coverage, and by a similar multiplier you reduce the cost, while at the same time eliminating the consumption of the wafer.”
Instead of thin single-layer gallium arsenide deposited on small wafers, the Illinois group tried to create ‘pancake’-like stacks of 10 layers deposited at one go and peel the layers off individually, transfer them and lay them side by side. Giving all details of this procedure, Professor Rogers, the Lee J. Flory Founder Chair in Engineering Innovation & Professor of materials science and engineering and of chemistry said, “We’re creating bulk quantities of material, as opposed to just the thin single-layer manner in which it is typically grown…. “You really multiply the area coverage, and by a similar multiplier you reduce the cost, while at the same time eliminating the consumption of the wafer.”
Increasing Solar Conversion with Quantum Dots
Costs for Thermo-photovoltaic Cells Significantly Reduced
Thermo-photovoltaic (TPV) cells are great for converting radiation from any heat source to power. These cells can generate power from the wasted heat which gets released when glass or steel is produced. Adding these TPV cells to domestic power systems can help generate power along with heating water. TPV systems are also too complex for everyday use. Both of these reasons have made the TPV systems beyond industrial and domestic consumer routine set-up.
Thermo-photovoltaic (TPV) cells are great for converting radiation from any heat source to power. These cells can generate power from the wasted heat which gets released when glass or steel is produced. Adding these TPV cells to domestic power systems can help generate power along with heating water. TPV systems are also too complex for everyday use. Both of these reasons have made the TPV systems beyond industrial and domestic consumer routine set-up.
Costs for Thermo-photovoltaic Cells Significantly Reduced
Costs for Thermo-photovoltaic Cells Significantly Reduced
Thermo-photovoltaic (TPV) cells are great for converting radiation from any heat source to power. These cells can generate power from the wasted heat which gets released when glass or steel is produced. Adding these TPV cells to domestic power systems can help generate power along with heating water. TPV systems are also too complex for everyday use. Both of these reasons have made the TPV systems beyond industrial and domestic consumer routine set-up.
Thermo-photovoltaic (TPV) cells are great for converting radiation from any heat source to power. These cells can generate power from the wasted heat which gets released when glass or steel is produced. Adding these TPV cells to domestic power systems can help generate power along with heating water. TPV systems are also too complex for everyday use. Both of these reasons have made the TPV systems beyond industrial and domestic consumer routine set-up.
Economical Solar Panels to Yield More Energy
Economical Solar Panels to Yield More Energy
The thin silicon film layers in the amorphous solar panels are made of silane gas (SiH4). Van Elzakker found out that Staebler-Wronski effect can be alleviated by diluting the silane gas with hydrogen at an optimum ratio. In Van Elzakker’s words, “We showed that the influence of the Staebler-Wronski effect can be considerably reduced in this way.
The thin silicon film layers in the amorphous solar panels are made of silane gas (SiH4). Van Elzakker found out that Staebler-Wronski effect can be alleviated by diluting the silane gas with hydrogen at an optimum ratio. In Van Elzakker’s words, “We showed that the influence of the Staebler-Wronski effect can be considerably reduced in this way.
Breakthrough in Thin-Film Solar Cells
Breakthrough in Thin-Film Solar Cells
Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) have come out with positive news about increased efficiency of thin-film solar cells. They opted for the computer simulations to probe deeper into the indium/gallium combination to increase the efficiency of Copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) thin-film solar cells. Till now CIGS has shown only about 20% efficiency though theoretically they can attain the efficiency levels of 30%.
Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) have come out with positive news about increased efficiency of thin-film solar cells. They opted for the computer simulations to probe deeper into the indium/gallium combination to increase the efficiency of Copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) thin-film solar cells. Till now CIGS has shown only about 20% efficiency though theoretically they can attain the efficiency levels of 30%.
PETE Process Promises Successful Technology Fusion
PETE Process Promises Successful Technology Fusion
SLAC and Standford research initiative on increasing conversion efficiency of solar cells. In this new process, semiconducting material is coated with a thin layer of caesium which allows the material to use both the light and heat of sun to generate electricity. Though this is not actually standardized photovoltaic mechanism happening, this is a photovoltaic-like response happening best at very high temperatures. The new process is called Photon enhanced thermionic emission (PETE).
SLAC and Standford research initiative on increasing conversion efficiency of solar cells. In this new process, semiconducting material is coated with a thin layer of caesium which allows the material to use both the light and heat of sun to generate electricity. Though this is not actually standardized photovoltaic mechanism happening, this is a photovoltaic-like response happening best at very high temperatures. The new process is called Photon enhanced thermionic emission (PETE).
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