New Atlas

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Researchers create flags that harvest energy from solar and wind

Paul Ridden February 12, 2019

Scientists at the University of Manchester in the UK have developed flags that are reckoned to be the first to harvest solar and wind at the same time. Not enough to power a house, or even a gadget such as a smartphone, but could be enough for set it and forget it remote sensors.

The inverted flags are made using piezoelectric strips that harvest energy as the device flaps around ...

Environment

Starting in 2020, solar panels will be required on all new California houses

Ben Coxworth May 10, 2018

As of Jan. 1st, 2020, all new homes built in California will be required to have solar photovoltaic systems. The ruling is part of the California Energy Commission's newly-instituted 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Homes built in accordance with the 2019 standards should use about 53 percent less energy than ...

Architecture

Geneva's Doctors Without Borders building to be wrapped in colored photovoltaic glass

Nick Lavars October 31, 2017

Glass surfaces that double as solar collectors are potentially transformative materials for architects. A new building going up in Geneva will make full use of recent advances to wrap an office space in colored photovoltaic glass, providing shading and generating energy at the same time.

The new Geneva Operational Center for Doctors Without Borders will be wrapped in photovoltaic glass

Energy

Light-bending algae boost organic solar cell efficiency

Michael Irving October 18, 2017

No matter how useful a certain human innovation is, nature has usually beaten us to it by millions of years and done a better job. A Yale team has looked to nature to help solve a design problem, using tiny fossilized creatures called diatoms to improve the light absorption of organic solar cells.

Yale researchers have used light-manipulating algae called diatoms to improve the efficiency of organic solar cells

Tiny Houses

Tesla takes solar-powered Tiny House on tour

Scott Collie August 14, 2017

Tesla has packed a number of its smart energy products into the one tiny mobile package. The Telsa Tiny House is being towed behind a Model X on a tour of Australia in an attempt to spread the word about the benefits of Tesla's products for generating, storing and using your own electricity.

The Tesla Tiny House in Melbourne, Australia

Automotive

PV panel-packed family EV goes up for pre-order

Paul Ridden July 28, 2017

Following a successful crowdfunding effort, German startup Sono Motors has started taking pre-orders for its electric city car. The Sion EV features photovoltaic panels on the roof, hood, sides and rear to charge the batteries while the electric car sits around waiting for someone to drive it.

The Sono Motors Sion family EV is up for pre-order for €16,000

Environment

Platio integrates solar panels in pedestrian walkways and street furniture

Paul Ridden July 19, 2017

Budapest startup Platio has spent the last couple of years developing a modular, self-contained paving panel that harvests the sun's energy to produce electricity. The panels have recently been rolled out in front of a shopping mall, at a harbor and integrated into outdoor seating.

Visitors to a pop-up park in Budapest, Hungary, can now charge their smart devices with energy ...

Marine

Arcadia A85S cruises on diesel, floats on solar power

Scott Collie June 27, 2017

Look past their overt flashiness, and some luxury yachts offer fascinating takes on how to effectively use limited space. With a simple hull design, airy interior and auxiliary solar power system, the Arcadia A85S aims to pack a clean, luxurious floating home into its 85-ft (25.6-m) hull.

Energy

Triple threat: Perovskite material generates electricity from light, heat, and movement

Colin Jeffrey February 9, 2017

Energy harvesting devices that generate electricity from light, heat, and mechanical pressure in a single package may soon be possible. Researchers from the University of Oulu have discovered a crystal mineral material that is able to simultaneously generate electricity from all these sources.

Researchers from Finland have created a material that harvests energy from light, heat, and mechanical force ...

Environment

PV power hits the road in Normandy village

Paul Ridden December 22, 2016

French Minister Ségolène Royal has today officially launched a kilometer long solar road project in Normandy. Nearly 3,000 Wattway panels are expected to produce an average of 767 kWh of electricity per day, peaking in summer months to as much as 1,500 kWh.

The Wattway panels running through Tourouvre are expected to produce somewhere in the region of 280 ...