Better growth achieved in greenhouse with semi-transparent organic solar cells roof

The growth of crops such as wheat, mung beans, and broccoli  in two different experiments was studied under two different greenhouse roof materials: one with a transparent glass roof with segments of inorganic solar cells on the greenhouse, and the other where the roof was made entirely from semi-transparent organic solar cells.  The crops in the greenhouse with the organic solar roof grew more than the crops in the regular greenhouse. 

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Vertical solar panels Sunzaun can be good for agriculture

Sunzaun is a vertical solar panel created by Sunstall which claims to be equally as efficient as the traditional model, whilst still allowing land to be used for growing food.

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NREL Research Boosts Stability of Perovskites, Helps Silicon Solar Cells

A change in chemical composition enabled scientists to boost the longevity and efficiency of a perovskite solar cell developed at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

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U Texas Team Brings Advancement in Organic Solar Cell Technology to Light

A team of University of Texas at Dallas researchers has discovered a “recipe” to increase the efficiency of solar cells made from organic materials.  Organic solar cells (OSCs) could reduce the cost of solar panels because they are made with organic polymers and molecules instead of silicon.

 

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Start-up that is developing an innovative glass brick receives significant funding boost

A Spinout from University of Exeter, Build Solar, has developed an innovative glass brick, which can be incorporated into the fabric of a building and is designed to collect solar energy and convert it to electricity.

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Solar Panels from Food Waste

Carvey Ehren Maigue, an engineering student at Mapúa University in Manila, Philippines, won the first James Dyson Sustainability award for his work in developing solar panels that can extract UV light using fruit and vegetable food scraps. The AuREUS system is an evolution for walls/windows, and uses technology synthesized from upcycled crop waste to absorb stray UV light from sunlight and convert it to clean renewable electricity.

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Paper-thin solar cell can turn any surface into a power source

MIT engineers have developed a scalable fabrication technique to produce ultrathin, lightweight solar cells that can quickly and easily turn any surface into a power source. Some solar cells are so lightweight they can sit on a soap bubble.  Because they are so thin, these cells can be laminated onto many different surfaces.  

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Rapid-deployment solar arrays cut energy cost up to 20%

Australian company 5B has developed a hinged, folding solar array for ridiculously quick and easy installation at industrial scale. In May, 5B showed just how quick: a team of 10 covered the area of a soccer field with a 1.1-MW array in a single day.  The company says it's not just the fastest array to install – it's also much easier to pack down and move than other designs, making it appropriate for non-permanent sites.

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