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What are solar panels made from and how do they generate electricity?
Solar panels are typically rectangular plates that look similar to dark glass. They are made from smaller solar “cells” that are wired together and assembled into a single panel. The solar cells work together to generate electricity in the solar panel. Although there are many different types of solar cells, most work in a similar manner. A positive layer and a negative layer of silicon are pressed together in the cell and as the sun hits one of the layers of silicon, it excites the free electrons which then flow back and forth to the other layer of silicon creating a natural electric current.
How much electricity can a solar power system generate?
It’s all in a name: ‘Global warming’ vs. ‘climate change’
ScienceDaily (Mar. 9, 2011) — Many Americans are skeptical about whether the world’s weather is changing, but apparently the degree of skepticism varies systematically depending on what that change is called.
According to a University of Michigan study published in the forthcoming issue of Public Opinion Quarterly, more people believe in “climate change” than in “global warming.”
“Wording matters,” said Jonathon Schuldt, the lead author of the article about the study and a doctoral candidate in the U-M Department of Psychology.
Silver Nanoparticles Give Polymer Solar Cells A Boost
ScienceDaily (Oct. 6, 2009) — Small bits of metal may play a new role in solar power.
Researchers at Ohio State University are experimenting with polymer semiconductors that absorb the sun’s energy and generate electricity. The goal: lighter, cheaper, and more-flexible solar cells.
They have now discovered that adding tiny bits of silver to the plastic boosts the materials’ electrical current generation.
Nuclear Energy Futures Project
Nuclear Energy and Global Governance to 2030: An Action Plan/ L’energie nucléaire et la gouvernance mondiale l’horizon 2030 : Plan d’action
Louise Fréchette, Chair, and Trevor Findlay, Director, Nuclear Energy Futures Project
Small Turbines, Energy Costs, Rising Costs, Learn About Turbines
Where to install turbines? The conventional wisdom says as high as practical. Placement will be a function unique to each property or location. Micro turbines can be moved easily to locate the best winds on your site.
How large are the turbine blades and how much power do they produce? Each blade is approximately 11 inches in diameter and made from a very tough nylon. A generator will produce 45-60 watts in 10-12 mph wind, 70-90 watts in 20-25 mph wind. Temperature and altitude will also have an effect on output.
LIVE: Utility Wind Energy: Worth the Environmental Impacts? by Tristan Roberts on 09/13/2011
Correction: The author has posted a comment (see below) clarifying the likely width of the ridgeline road associated with this project.
One of my favorite pieces of Vermont trivia has been that the tallest manmade structure in the state is the Bennington Battle Monument, at 306 feet tall–and construction of it was completed in 1889
Solar Panel Prices Falling
By CASSANDRA SWEET
The solar industry has been struggling this year against weak demand, ample supply and sliding prices. Which means that for anyone thinking about putting solar panels on their roof, there probably hasn’t been a better time.
Energy Expert Tinkers Up An Ultra-Green Home 2:54
Energy efficiency expert Amory Lovin is putting the finishing touches on a state-of-the-art green home that produces more energy than it consumes. Jeffrey Ball reports from Aspen, Colorado.
The Journal Report
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Media Relations News Releases
For Release Upon Receipt – January 25, 2002
Contact: Bob Zalisk, 617/353-7628, bzalisk@bu.edu
SCIENTIST CONFIRM HUMAN IMPACT ON GLOBAL WARMING
Boston, MA The average temperature at the earth’s surface is rising – but is this because of human activity, or is it only a phase in the earth’s natural cycle of change? Boston University researcher Robert K. Kaufmann and Australian National University researcher David I. Stern have found that for the 125-year period beginning in 1865, human activity directly contributed to changing the earth’s surface temperature. Their just-released study is the first to establish a statistically meaningful link between human activity and global temperature that isn’t based solely on computer models.
Bremen in Germany Hosts Wind Energy Conference
Wind turbines
Between 11 and 13 May the big brains of the wind energy industry will be meeting in the iconic German city to discuss challenges faced by the sector at E/E Systems for Wind Turbines conference
And there are quite a few of them such as reducing constructional and operational costs, meeting the international technical requirements for grid codes and grid integration and increasing efficiency, availability and serviceability.
Sharp to Power Solar Panel Factory With Solar Energy
Sharp plans to partially power a new solar panel factory with energy generated from a solar installation on the plant’s roof, it said Monday.
The company and local power utility Kansai Electric will install Sharp solar panels on the roof of the factory and other buildings in the new complex with the aim of initially generating 9 megawatts of power. The system will expand to eventually reach 18 megawatts — that represents about 5 percent of the total energy consumption of the plant, said Sharp.
The 72 billion (US$69 million) plant is being constructed in Sakai City, near Osaka in western Japan, and will be capable of producing 480 megawatts worth of cells per year by March 2010 when it is due to start production.