Engineering
In order to convert sunlight into electricity or other forms of energy as efficiently as possible, the very first step is an efficient light-harvesting system. Ideally, this should be panchromatic, i.e. absorb the entire ...
Jun 26, 2024
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Engineering
Energy Harvesting is a green technology that captures (or "harvests") wasted energy and converts it into electricity. The ubiquitous vibrations that surround us are one of the promising sources for energy harvesting. In particular, ...
Jun 25, 2024
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Energy & Green Tech
On the weekend, an area 20km off the Illawarra coast south of Sydney became Australia's fourth offshore wind energy zone. It's the most controversial zone to date, with consultation attracting a record 14,211 submissions—of ...
Jun 23, 2024
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Energy & Green Tech
It seems like energy policies are constantly making headlines these days. Should Canada "axe the tax?" Is it time to end the tax breaks to Canadian fossil fuel companies and invest in renewable energy? Are electric vehicles ...
Jun 22, 2024
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Energy & Green Tech
To make organic solar cells (OSC) competitive, the light-absorbing molecules should simultaneously satisfy multiple key requirements, including a weak-absorption charge transfer state, a high dielectric constant, suitable ...
Jun 21, 2024
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Energy & Green Tech
Peter Dutton has announced that under a Coalition government, seven nuclear power stations would be built around the country over the next 15 years.
Jun 21, 2024
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Energy & Green Tech
When you graph electricity demand in power grids with lots of solar panels, it looks a bit like a duck, with high points in the morning and evening (when people are relying on the grid) and a big dip in the middle of the ...
Jun 18, 2024
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Energy & Green Tech
The pressure is on for California to meet its clean-vehicle goals. In less than two years, 35% of vehicles sold must have zero tailpipe emissions. And by 2035, all light-duty vehicles sold must be zero-emissions.
Jun 14, 2024
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Energy & Green Tech
The energy transition in Germany, Europe, and across the world is driving robust demand for solar panels. Alongside high energy yields, aesthetics and acceptance are also increasingly important factors. To accommodate these ...
Jun 13, 2024
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Energy & Green Tech
Although sub-Saharan areas may seem perfect for solar ovens, many people use wood or coal as the main source of energy for cooking, especially in areas that are not connected to the power grid.
Jun 13, 2024
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Solar energy is the radiant light and heat from the Sun that has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation along with secondary solar resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass account for most of the available renewable energy on Earth. Only a minuscule fraction of the available solar energy is used.
Solar power provides electrical generation by means of heat engines or photovoltaics. Once converted, its uses are limited only by human ingenuity. A partial list of solar applications includes space heating and cooling through solar architecture, potable water via distillation and disinfection, daylighting, hot water, thermal energy for cooking, and high temperature process heat for industrial purposes.
Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute sunlight. Active solar techniques include the use of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors (with electrical or mechanical equipment) to convert sunlight into useful outputs. Passive solar techniques include orienting a building to the Sun, selecting materials with favorable thermal mass or light dispersing properties, and designing spaces that naturally circulate air.
This text uses material from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA
