sunlitrevolution reblogged
France is paving the way into their independent energy future! Hopefully they can lead other countries down the road towards a greater sustainable infrastructure.
sunlitrevolution reblogged
This is the Solar Sunflower, a Swiss-made array that could be the future of solar energy. Looking like a huge, mirrored satellite dish, it combines photovoltaic solar power and concentrated solar thermal power to harness the sun’s energy at an efficiency of roughly 80% — a staggering amount. They’re promising but not without complications.
Source: mic.com
Google has long focused on recognizing opportunities and seizing them. In its latest venture,Project Sunroof, the mega tech giant is helping homeowners see and take advantage of thepotential for solar power generation on their own rooftops. Project Sunroof allows users to punch in their address and get real (and rather sophisticated) illustrations of how many solar panels can be installed on their home and how much savings could be realized by taking the solar plunge.
Source: inhabitat.com
When it comes to capturing the energy of the sun, what better model is there than photosynthetic plants? Researchers at North Carolina State University have cultivated a beautiful crop of germanium sulfide (GeS) “nanoflowers” that could be used to create next generation solar cells and ultra high-density energy storage systems. The nanoflowers have petals that resemble those of a geranium or marigold – although they’re only 20-30 nanometers thick and they’re capable of storing much more energy than traditional energy storage cells.
Source: inhabitat.com
sunlitrevolution reblogged
A Paper-Thin Solar Panel Can Charge Your Phone on the Go
Solar Paper: 7.5 inches long, 3.5 wide, and .15 thin. There’s a .45-inch thick USB charging port at the top, which sticks out of your book like a bookmark that sucks in that precious sunlight.
Source: Gizmodo
sunlitrevolution reblogged
Here are the some of the best projects from DIY members who harness the power of solar energy to create amazing contraptions. Check out more challenges under the Solar Engineer skill.
MIT researchers have found that energy output from solar photovoltaic cells can be greatly increased by stacking the cells in 3D configurations like towers or cubes. The 3D designs can generate anywhere from double up to 20 times the amount of energy as flat solar panels with the same base area.
Source: treehugger.com
sunlitrevolution reblogged
“Only 23 percent of Kenyans have access to the national electricity grid, while only 5 percent of rural communities are connected.” “The nearest market where one can charge a cell phone or buy kerosene is 15 kilometres away, and it is only held one day a week.” “The women, trained in solar panel installation, use donkeys to haul their solar wares from home to home in the remote region, giving families their first access to clean and reliable power.“
“Our community customs do not allow women to own any property. But now women here own the solar technology, and it is something we are very happy about.”
Solar Ivy was inspired by traditional mansions, where ivy decorates the exterior walls and reflects the organic essence of nature. Created in collaboration with Brooklyn-based parent company SMIT, Solar Ivy is a series of solar cells printed with conductive ink that resemble ivy leaves. The leaves have been designed to be placed on the outside of residential or commercial buildings as a way of utilizing and absorbing solar energy, whilst also doubling as a shade screen.
Source: gizmag.com
sunlitrevolution reblogged
In California, polluting companies are paying to line the roofs of the disadvantaged with solar panels. It’s not charity, either, exactly—it’s public policy. Very good policy.
The San Francisco Chronicle explains how a new program arising from the state’s cap-and-trade law—in which companies must pay, per ton, for their carbon pollution—is delivering solar to the poor: “Run by Oakland nonprofit Grid Alternatives, the effort will install home solar arrays in disadvantaged neighborhoods, using $14.7 million raised through California’s cap-and-trade system for reining in greenhouse gas emissions.”
Source: Vice Magazine
sunlitrevolution reblogged
I feel like the big black rectangles that most of us are used to when talking about solar panels wouldn’t really fit with the whole solarpunk aesthetic. So how about some alternative solar panel designs instead?