Solar Power World

Micro concentrating solar collectors receive certification

Micro concentrated solar power company Sopogy has received certification from the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) of its OG-100 classification for concentrating solar collectors. The manufacturer says it’s the first MicroCSP company with utility-scale collectors used in power generation, air conditioning and process heat to receive the certification. The collectors generate utility-scale solar power, air conditioning and process heat at 18 installations... Read More

NREL to compare high-efficiency solar cells from 3 nations

NREL is partnering with major international industrial technology and solar research organizations to test how solar cells from three manufacturers perform in two geographic locations with different lighting conditions. A primary goal of the study is to assess how panels from three different manufacturers– the United States, Japan, and Germany–perform under different average lighting conditions characteristic of the study’s test sites in Aurora, Colo., and Yokohama,... Read More

Automation company invests in CSP

CSP is a fast-growing sector of the renewable energy market, so ABB thought it an appropriate time to invest in it. ABB has agreed to buy a 35% stake in Novatec Solar (formerly Novatec Biosol), a German company who specializes in concentrated solar power technology. This complements what ABB already does in power-plant automation, electrification, and long-distance electricity transmission. The investment includes an option to acquire 100% of Novatec Solar, and an agreement... Read More

German students win award for solar poster

CSP solar modules Young scientists from the Fraunhofer centre for silicon photovoltaics, CSP, were awarded with the prize for the best scientific poster at the international workshop covering the theme of module reliability. Their work “Mechanical Issues on Solar Modules and Encapsulated Components” was chosen as the best poster from more than 70 international entries. The team led by Dr. Matthias Ebert convinced the jury through its superb scientific methods and the... Read More

How efficient can them make ‘em?

The Amonix 7700 Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV) Solar Power Generators are being tested for reliability and performance at the SolarTAC facility in Aurora, Colo. Credit: Dennis Schroeder It’s the size of an IMAX screen, but costs less than comparable generators. It’s not a bird, or a plane, it’s the new PV generator by NREL and solar manufacturer Amonix. The two teamed up to develop the Amonix 7700 Concentrated Photovoltaic Solar Power Generator with highly-efficient... Read More

Carbon nanotubes focus sun 100 fold

This filament containing about 30 million carbon nanotubes absorbs energy from the sun as photons and then re-emits photons of lower energy, creating the fluorescence seen here. The red regions indicate highest energy intensity, and green and blue are lower intensity. Using carbon nanotubes (hollow tubes of carbon atoms), MIT chemical engineers have found a way to concentrate solar energy 100 fold over a regular (nonconcentrated) photovoltaic cell. Such nanotubes could form... Read More

Concentrated Solar Converters Prefer the Shine

By John Gyorki, Editorial Director Solar energy can be converted to electrical energy in two ways: First, with photovoltaic (PV) cells and second, with solar energy collectors that use the sun’s heat to run turbines coupled to electric generators. If you are contemplating either system for powering your facility, you want to weigh both their advantages and disadvantages. PV panels, for instance, is the most widely used type of a solar generator today and its application continues... Read More

DOE Issues Concentrating Solar Report To Congress

The US Department of Energy has issued a report to congress that explores a number of strategies to reduce the water consumption of concentrating solar power (CSP) electricity generation, a promising renewable energy option that may substantially increase water demands in some of the country’s most arid regions. The report, dryly titled (no pun intended) Concentrating Solar Power Commercial Application Study: Reducing Water Consumption of Concentrating Solar Power Electricity... Read More

Concentrated Solar Power Projects Receive $62 million From DOE

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the selections of projects for investment of up to $62 million over five years to research, develop, and demonstrate Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) systems capable of providing low-cost electrical power.  This funding will support improvements in CSP systems, components, and thermal energy storage to accelerate the market-readiness of this renewable energy technology. Accelerating breakthroughs in renewable... Read More