On the far south-eastern edge of Western Australia, a group of partners is planning to build something massive: the Western Green Energy Hub (WGEH). Picture a huge clean-energy estate on the world’s largest single exposure of limestone bedrock, called the Nullarbor. There, the constant wind and hot sun are harnessed to create “green” hydrogen and...
California manages a massive network of canals spanning nearly 4,000 miles in total, supplying water throughout the state. With promising new prospects on the riverbank, these canals could become a source of renewable power for the state. Project Nexus, a pilot initiative funded by California’s government in partnership with Solar AquaGrid, the Turlock Irrigation District,...
Farmers are embracing a new trend called agrivoltaics. This innovative practice combines solar panels with raising animals or crops in the same area. In the U.S., thousands of sheep now graze under these panels, experiencing positive changes that have surprised many. Known as solar grazing or solar farming, this approach reduces heat stress and improves...
China aims to become a world leader in the field of renewable energy, particularly in regard to solar power. In fact, in recent years, it has almost completely monopolized panel production and solar energy globally. The country is installing solar power projects in a range of different terrains, from deserts to mudflats, in an effort...
Renewable energy just had another massive breakthrough. Researchers have figured out a new quantum process that explains how plants convert sunlight into energy with almost 100% efficiency. The discovery brings us closer to creating the next evolution of solar panels – hopefully mimicking nature’s design. By studying the behavior in chlorophyll molecules, scientists can hopefully...
As solar energy gains traction in the fight against climate change, the environmental impact of traditional solar panels is drawing scrutiny. From land use challenges to resource-intensive production, experts warn of surprising side effects that might alter how we think about solar power. Disrupting Biodiversity Traditional solar farms often require vast expanses of land, which...
Imagine if the sun shining in through the windows could be used to power your home or business. With these new transparent solar panels, that dream could become a reality. Transparent Solar Panels for Windows The latest technology to enter the world of solar power is photovoltaic (PV) glass, also known as transparent solar panels....
Getting solar panels installed on your roof is a real gold standard when it comes to being green. Of course, solar panels aren’t the only way to generate your own power. In 2016, Elon Musk unveiled that his company, SolarCity, would begin manufacturing solar shingles that resemble regular roof shingles, unlike the large, bulky conventional...
A cluster of elementary school kids sit at a picnic table in a grassy field, avidly watching 18-year-old Xavier Baty connect a solar panel cell to a small motor hooked up to a fan. With precise movements, he holds the panel toward the setting sun and shifts it slightly to change the speed of the...
Since William Adams and Richard Day first harnessed solar power in 1876, it’s been regarded as a major scientific breakthrough ever since. The first material that produced usable electricity from solar power was the metalloid compound selenium. It converted energy from the sun to electricity at about 1 to 2 percent efficiency [1]. Photovoltaic cells...
An Arkansas school installed solar panels to save on costs, and the investment is paying off. Schools are expensive to run. On average, it costs federal, state, and local governments over ten thousand dollars to send a child to public school for a year [1]. With this high cost of public education, many public school...
It’s clear as a sunny, summer day that distributed solar power is increasing in popularity. In 2013, a new solar power system was installed in the United States every 4 minutes. [1] By 2015, the number of new solar power systems installed in the United States accelerated to one every 2.5 minutes. [2] And last...
