Silicon is fast approaching its theoretical limit for solar efficiency, but pairing it up with other materials could help break through. Researchers have developed a new technique for combining silicon and perovskite solar cells, and reported a new record efficiency of 25.2 percent.
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Most solar cells only capture the visible light. Now, researchers at Berkeley Labs have developed a way to use nanoparticles coated in special organic dyes to convert near-infrared light into visible light, which could allow solar cells to harvest more of the spectrum.
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Cinch has pitched the fourth generation of its solar-powered pop-up tents, refreshing the existing line with new features like integrated smart LED lighting, and introducing the Cinch Pod, a portable “living room” that can connect several tents together.
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As useful as solar energy is, it still has one major Kryptonite: gloomy weather. Now, a team of Chinese engineers has developed a hybrid solar cell that can produce electricity come rain or shine, using the triboelectric effect to harvest energy from the movement of raindrops on its surface.
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Over the last few years, perovskite has proven itself to be a promising material for photovoltaic solar cells, but it’s not without its problems. Now, a team has found a way to helps solve at least one of those issues, removing toxic lead from the device by substituting in titanium.
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Tesla is again partnering with the South Australian government, this time on the world’s largest “virtual power plant.” By installing solar panels and Tesla Powerwall batteries on thousands of houses, the system would allow homes to generate their own electricity and feed excess power to the grid.
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Hydrogen is a clean fuel source, and using sunlight and water is the cleanest way to produce it. Now, engineers from Columbia University are developing a “solar fuels rig” that floats on the ocean, captures energy through a solar cell and uses it to harvest hydrogen from the water beneath it.
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In today’s concrete jungle, pavement takes up a lot of space, so we might as well cram some smarts in there. Now NASA is installing a high-tech new path that lights up, emits Wi-Fi signals and generates electricity, due to greet visitors to the Kennedy Space Center.
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With blinds in front of our windows, we usually have to choose between light and privacy, but “smart glass" can toggle its opacity as needed. Now a University of Pittsburgh team has developed a new type of glass that can switch between hazy and clear in seconds – just add water.
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Hydrogen-powered vehicles are slowly hitting the streets, but mass producing, distributing and storing hydrogen is still a major roadblock. But new work out of UCLA could help lower the barrier to entry for consumers, with a device that uses sunlight to produce both hydrogen and electricity.
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