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Advances in Solar Power
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by PlanMyGreen | July 22, 2008 at 08:46 pm
591 views | 14 Recommendations | 8 comments
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Currently, the United States meets the majority of its energy needs by burning fossil fuels. Alternative energy sources are not a new technology, but with the rising cost of fuel, more research is being funded to develop cleaner, cheaper versions of existing alternative energy.
Solar power has long been a rather inefficient source of power yielding only 5-15% electrical generation from the rays that hit the solar panel. Recent developments by Alvin M. Marks may turn that efficiency into 70-80%. Marks believes he has developed the technology needed to boost the amount of power we can receive from a particular type of solar panel. He holds the patents on two materials named Lepcon and Lumeloid. The recipes for the materials are secret, but it involves conductive polymers applied to cheap strips of plastic. This technology could lower the cost involved in producing energy from the sun’s rays. Preliminary work has begun and we may see his ideas in production in 2-3 years. More information on Alvin Marks’ research.
Recent environmental concerns are beginning to garner support from some heavy hitters. Intel has announced plans to team together with a subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Solon AG and the PCG Clean Energy and Technology Fund to construct an advanced solar energy manufacturing plant in Oregon. The new company SpectraWatt will work to develop advanced solar technology to reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of current solar technologies. More information on Intel’s solar plans.
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biotour13
Greenbrae, California, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (8)
at 21:55 on July 22nd, 2008
PlanMyGreen, I like this story. It's good stuff.
Thank you for posting this very important news!!!
We need more reportage on the values of 'clean' solar power!
I'm looking forward to the day when every roof in suburbia features solar panels - feeding power BACK into the grid. :) It is being done today, in AU, and doesn't cost a lot upfront because the gov. subsidizes it, and it doesn't take long before it pays for itself ...but the push isn't strong enough to encourage enough people to do it.
at 13:41 on July 23rd, 2008
Maireid, do you have any links to information on the subsidizing of solar power in AU? I am curious about the workings of this and the effects a program like this may be having. Thanks for the comment.
at 23:47 on July 22nd, 2008
PlanMyGreen, I like this story. It's good stuff.
This is a timely requirement.
at 01:05 on July 23rd, 2008
PlanMyGreen, I like this story. It's good stuff. Very well written!
at 02:54 on July 23rd, 2008
Using the sun to cause enough unbalance of electronics to allow 30 amps to flow for use by a very modest home electric system? And store them for night use also I guess? That would be great! Lets see.....
That is six point two five times ten to the eighteenth power electrons per second times 30 for a very modest electrical service.
Good luck! Don't hold your breath!
at 08:10 on July 23rd, 2008
PlanMyGreen, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 13:32 on July 23rd, 2008
The New School in Kennebunk, Maine: Running off solar power, gardening in a greenhouse, recycling, conserving, speaking with thier Democratic voices. The students here were inspiring.
biotour13 has contributed a photo to this story.
at 13:43 on July 23rd, 2008
Fantastic, hopefully more schools will implement programs like this. Thanks for the info.