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Mitsubishi Develops Spray-on Solar Power Technology

Aug 26th, 2011
by Editor.
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http://blog.cleantechies.com/2011/08/26/mitsubishi-develops-spray-on-solar-power-technology/

26 August 2011

http://blog.cleantechies.com/files/2011/08/sprayon_solar-150x150.jpg

The Earthquake followed by a tsunami that devastated Japan back in March has spawned a veritable cleantech revolution, both on the research and governmental fronts.

Now Mitsubishi Chemical Corp has announced it has developed a spray-on solar power technology whereby solar cells can be applied to buildings, vehicles and even clothing, just like painting. The solar cells are very thin (less than 1 millimeter thick) and weigh less than one tenth of crystalline solar panels of the same size.

According to a report in the UK Independent newspaper, the solar cells use carbon compounds which as semiconductors when dried and solidified, generating electricity when exposed to light. The potential to save space required by conventional solar panels and the versatility of the technology could hail a new era for solar power.

Mitsubishi Chemical’s prototype spray-on solar cells offer a light-to-electricity conversion rate of 10.1 per cent. Traditional crystalline silicon solar cells offer up to 20 per cent, so the new technology still lags behind. But Mitsubishi said it hopes to improve efficiency to 15 per cent by 2015.

The company’s first plan is to apply its technology on cars, coating them with solar cells. It says it could give a car sufficient power to travel six miles after two hours of exposure to the sun.

Article by Antonio Pasolini, a Brazilian writer and video art curator based in London, UK. He holds a BA in journalism and an MA in film and television

Solar power stations set for NSW, Qld

Jun 18th, 2011
by Editor.
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ABC News
The Federal Government has announced three quarters of a billion dollars in funding for two major solar power
stations that will go ahead in regional New South Wales and Queensland.
The new solar power stations were among seven shortlisted under the Government’s Solar Flagships Scheme.
They will be built in Moree in New South Wales and Chinchilla in Queensland.
Federal Energy Minister Martin Ferguson says the two plants will have the capacity to power more than 115,000
Australian homes at any one time.
He says the technology developed there will be able to be sold around the world.
“What you’ve got is a growth in energy demand throughout the world at the moment and renewables are being
sought after, so investment in this is potentially investment is a new export opportunity,” he said.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has welcomed the announcement.
“We want Queensland to be the solar state of Australia and with this plant, the solar future for Queensland is
secured,” she said.
“It is a very big venture, it will generate jobs in a new clean, green energy field.”
Construction is due to start next year.
Tags: environment, alternative-energy, government-and-politics, federal-government, solar-energy, australia, nsw,
moree-2400, qld, chinchilla-4413
MORE stories from New South Wales
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MORE stories from New South Wales©

Finding the American Dream in China

Mar 23rd, 2010
by AdminCTA.
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ObamaoFirst published: February 5, 2010

Source: Foreign Policy Journal

Why China is leading the green revolution and taking the rest of the world with it.

US Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and Energy Secretary Steven Chu returned from China last July with a sober understanding of the degree to which China had advanced in green technology. Sino-US clean energy cooperation reached a milestone later in 2009, when the two presidents signed various bilateral agreements, including the establishment of the US- China Clean Energy Research Centre in Beijing to improve research and development in the field. But clean energy was caught in the political firestorm of the health care debacle. As the recent New York Times article on China’s advancements in green technology reinforced, the Chinese have made exceptional progress in this field and are the leaders of our green revolution.

But more than a desire to compete with the rest of the world, China is looking for collaboration with foreign powers like the United States. In the few weeks I spent in Shanghai speaking with various individuals in academia and renewable – mainly solar – energy, I discovered that expats of various professional backgrounds and nationalities have become ensconced into the Chinese green economy. Solar, more so than other energy sources – hydro, wind, nuclear, biomass – has attracted not only high-salaried expats to serve as executives for Chinese companies, but also eager entrepreneurs who presciently identified the market potential in China during the financial crisis.

(more…)

Prototype Solar Power-Assist for Buses

Mar 15th, 2010
by AdminCTA.
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solar powered busFirst published: March 10, 2010

Source: Alternative Energy News

Sunpods Inc. is California-based manufacturing company. They produce modular, fully integrated and tested solar power generation systems. Recently they have come out with an idea of the first solar power-assist system for buses. They should be applauded for developing it in a mere six weeks. Their partner is Bauer Intelligent Transportation. The system developed by Sunpods will help Bauer to meet strict anti-pollution standards laid down by the State of California. California state law since 2008 has disallowed diesel vehicles to remain idle for more than five minutes. Now more than 25 states across the United States have anti-idling laws.

Gary Bauer, founder and owner of Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation says, “We support the state’s strong commitment to reducing pollution. At the same time, as a transportation provider, we wanted to meet our customers’ requirements for comfort and connectivity. SunPods was able to make our vision a reality in less than 6 weeks. We’ve been testing the bus for the past 4 weeks and we’re impressed with the reliable performance.”
(more…)

CLP Power replaced generators in island with wind and solar power

Oct 22nd, 2009
by AdminCTA.
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CLP Power introduce green technology in Island.

CLP Power introduce green technology in Island.

Transfer electricity to the islands had long been a problem for the engineers in power plants. Neither using submarine cables nor overhead lines would be practical for the electricity supply to the island. Using an overhead line would damage the sea view, but using submarine cable would damage coral in the sea. However building wind and solar power facilities can be a good alternative now. CLP Power is a good example on this ecology friendly technology.

The Dawn Island Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre located in Town Island, southern tip of Sai Kung, and using generators for electricity supply for years. However it is not effective and do harm to the environment. The generators emitted carbon dioxide while operating. At the same time they often break down, and the Centre needs to stop electricity for many times a day. The CLP Power therefore will build wind and solar power facilities to replace the generators, and the Dawn Island Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre will become the first location in Hong Kong powered entirely by renewable energy.

Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre will become first location in Hong Kong powered entirely by renewable energy.

Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre will become first location in Hong Kong powered entirely by renewable energy.

After the install of solar plants and wind turbines, they will provide 192kW of electricity which enough to run about 200 air conditioners. At the same time, carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by 70 tonnes a year, and the electricity generated can be used in hostels, visitors’ centre and other facilities.

This is a good example for us to follow, and will give us valuable experience on green energy development. For now there is a small rehabilitation centre powered by renewable energy, how about a New Territory village later on? If the scale increased, we can have a whole district powered by renewable energy, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions dramatically. Let’s support more green energy proposal just like the Dawn Island one.

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