Read the rest of 6 Out of This World Space-Based Solar Power Designs

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Post tags: dyson-harrop, JAXA, nasa, Pat Rawlings, saic, sbsp, solar power satelite, space solar power, space-based solar power, SPS-ALPHA, ssp, sun disc, suntower

A two-year partnership between Houston-based Phillips 66, California-based Solarmer Energy and the South China University of Technology (SCUT) has resulted in the most efficient polymer-based organic solar cell ever constructed. The cell features an efficiency rating of 9.31%, and it puts the team a good step further in introducing the technology to the market. Polymer-based solar cells are transparent, lightweight and flexible – and the technology is thought to open up several new creative applications for solar power, including integrating flexible solar films in vehicles, transparent solar cell windows, and even solar-powered clothing.

Read the rest of Phillips 66 and Solarmer Develop World’s Most Efficient Polymer-Based Organic Solar Cell

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Post tags: green design, organic solar cell, Phillips 66, photovoltaic cell, Polymer-Based Organic Solar Cell, renewable energy, solar, Solar Power, Solarmer Energy, South China University of Technology, sustainable design

Inspired by old telescope technology and high-efficiency solar panels used in space, a small research team at the University of Arizona (UA) has developed a new “telescope solar panel” that doubles efficiency compared to standard photovoltaics. At the foundation of the design is a dish-shaped mirror (similar to those widely used in concentrated solar power plants), which increases the intensity of sunlight. The device concentrates photons (light particles), making more of them available for conversion into electricity in the solar cells.

Read the rest of University of Arizona’s Breakthrough Telescope Solar Panel Doubles Efficiency

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Post tags: clean tech, concentrated photovoltaics, concentrated pv, concentrated solar power, green design, renewable energy, Solar Power, sustainable design, telescope solar panels, University of Arizona

Solar3D just unveiled the first prototype of a new three-dimensional photovoltaic cell that it claims can achieve a groundbreaking internal efficiency of 25.47%. Traditional solar cells on today’s market waste as much as 30% of incident sunlight due to reflection – energy that the three-dimensional solar cell should be able to harness. Solar3D claims this next generation of solar cells will be “dramatically more efficient”, which ultimately will make solar more affordable.

Read the rest of Solar3D Unveils Groundbreaking Three-Dimensional Solar Cell Prototype

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Post tags: 3d photovoltaic cells, 3d solar cells, clean tech, clean technology, green design, green power, renewable energy, Solar Power, solar3d, sustainable design