Researchers hope the palm-size solar-powered robot will help monitor remote disasters and link telecommunications systems

Watch the world’s tiniest solar-powered robot take flight

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When disaster strikes in a remote location—an oil spill, for example—scientists and officials need eyes in the skies to monitor conditions from afar. Drones can swoop in to help, but short battery lives can limit their usefulness. Enter ColoumbFly, the world’s lightest and smallest solar-powered flying robot. Described today in Nature, researchers hope its design could inspire a new generation of robotic fliers that can link Wi-Fi networks, send photos, and accomplish other remote-monitoring tasks for long periods of time.

CoulombFly, designed by a team at Beihang University, is palm size and weighs just a little more than 4 grams. Unlike traditional tiny flying machines that use an electrified magnet to power their rotors, the CoulombFly’s motor is powered by the so-called Coulomb force—the force between electrically charged particles at rest. Here, a solar cell generates electricity and creates an electric field between oppositely charged plates aligned in a circle. The opposing charges, like repelling magnets, generate enough force to turn the blades of a rotor. That creates enough torque to propel the robot off the ground.

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Source: Science

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Dalaman Airport has unveiled the world’s largest solar roof, setting a new standard for renewable energy use in aviation.

World’s largest solar roof powers Dalaman Airport

Dalaman Airport has unveiled the world’s largest solar roof, setting a new standard for renewable energy use in aviation.

This innovative project, built on the terminal building’s roof, is a significant leap towards sustainability and showcases Dalaman Airport’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.

One of Turkey’s busiest airports, Dalaman Airport has implemented a solar energy system capable of producing 10,230 MWh annually.

This project is designed to meet over 55% of the airport’s yearly energy needs, effectively preventing approximately 4,500 tons of CO₂ emissions each year—equivalent to preserving 200,000 trees.

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Source: ftn NEWS

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French startup unveils ‘low-carbon’ anodized aluminum solar carport

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French startup KparK Énergies has developed a solar carport with an anodized aluminum structure.

François Fougères, deputy general manager at KparK Énergies, told pv magazine that the company equips the carports with 425 W bifacial, double-glass panels. The system includes a matte white background to enhance the albedo effect, compensating for lower yield due to the PV system’s flat design.

The modules are flat-mounted and concealed from external view. They are connected to Enphase 8ac microinverters and a rail device for ventilation to prevent inverter clipping.

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Source: PV Magazine

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GoSun's solar charger can generate about 1,200 watts of energy, which is enough for most people’s daily commute to work.

Driving on sunshine: Car cover charges EVs with solar power

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Solar company GoSun has rolled out a foldable car cover that harnesses the power of the sun to add miles of range for EV drivers.

The solar cover, which can charge electric vehicles (EVs) with solar, is said to be able to provide about 30 miles of energy.

GoSun is currently known for its smaller-scale solar products, such as a solar-powered cooler that can keep drinks cold for longer. Now, the company plans to go bigger and charge EVs.

The EV solar charger folds up into a case on top of users’ car while driving, and then folds out over the car while parked.

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Source: NBC Los Angeles

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Now, in Scotland, the development of a hexagonal solar panel that could work even at night has just been announced.

Hexagonal solar panel that works at night: the mirror that will illuminate the Earth from the outside

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As you might expect, one of the biggest obstacles for photovoltaics is the nights of our planet. The panels maintain their ability to absorb light at all times, however, during long hours, they must remain inoperative. Now, in Scotland, the development of a hexagonal solar panel that could work even at night has just been announced.

A solar panel that still works at night? Yes, but it’s not the one you know from Tesla

While sunlight is an abundant and renewable resource and is even the oldest known source of energy, it is also true that obtaining electricity from the sun has proven to be a more complicated task than one might expect. Among other factors such as climate, the greatest difficulty in achieving a constant flow of energy to the solar batteries is the rotation of the earth.

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Source: Eco News

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Sunreef shared a new sustainability strategy and is now integrating recycled PET bottles into its solar electric yacht production process.

Sustainability at sea: Sunreef is integrating recycled plastic bottles into solar electric yachts

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Sunreef Yachts is already a solar electric boatbuilder recognized for its sustainability efforts in the maritime industry but is now taking things a step greener. The company is now integrating recycled PET bottles into its solar electric yacht production process.

Sunreef Yachts has been operating out of Gdansk, Poland, for over 20 years alongside a newer footprint established in the United Arab Emirates. From day one in 2002, Sunreef has been pushing the boundaries of sustainable marine travel, launching the world’s first 74-foot luxury oceangoing catamaran with a flybridge.

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Source: electrek

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Highland Materials president Richard Rast told PV Tech Premium that there is an “opportunity for innovation” in the US manufacturing sector.

Highland Materials’ US silicon production could be ‘game changer’ for US solar

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New entrants into the US polysilicon manufacturing space could be a “game changer” for the US solar sector, Solar Media head of research Finlay Colville told PV Tech Premium this week.

Colville spoke to PV Tech Premium about Highland Materials’ receipt of US$256 million in tax credits to build a polysilicon manufacturing facility in Tennessee, with Highland Materials president Richard Rast noting that there is an “opportunity for innovation” in the US manufacturing sector.

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Source: PV Tech

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Scientists in China have developed a PV-driven direct-drive refrigeration system for electronic device cooling.

Photovoltaics for vapor compression refrigeration

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Researchers at the Hebei University of Technology in China have designed a solar photovoltaic direct-drive refrigeration system with low energy consumption for high heat-flux electronic device cooling.

“The proposed system integrates photovoltaic power generation with direct-cooling and vapor compression refrigeration (VCR),” the research’s lead author, Xiaohui Yu, told pv magazine. “The combination of micro-evaporator and direct cooling method can achieve good heat exchange efficiency.”

The system consists of two subsystems: a PV unit including a battery and an maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller; and a VCR unit comprising a DC rotary compressor, a fin air-cooled condenser, an electronic expansion valve, an embedded direct cooling evaporator, and a dry-filler.

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Source: PV Magazine

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Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have developed a method to make high-quality perovskite films at room temperature.

UCSB pioneers a low-energy process for high-performance solar cells

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Finding reliable, eco-friendly power sources is crucial as our world grapples with increasing energy needs and the urgent call to combat climate change. Solar energy offers one solution, with scientists devising ever more efficient materials for capturing sunlight.

Perovskite solar cells have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional, silicon solar cells, boasting a number of advantages. But processing the material has been a complicated affair. Now, researchers at UC Santa Barbara have developed a method to make high-quality perovskite films at room temperature. The team’s innovation not only simplified the production process but also increased the material’s efficiency from under 20% to 24.4%. The details appear in the journal Joule.

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Source: UC Santa Barbara

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247Solar’s innovative concentrated solar power system stores sunshine for continuous clean energy, day & night.

MIT spinoff unveils continuous solar power solution technology

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For the past two decades, solar and wind farms have become a familiar sight, revolutionizing how we generate electricity. However, complete decarbonization requires a broader arsenal of technologies. This is because renewable sources like solar and wind are intermittent, meaning they don’t produce power consistently. Additionally, they can’t provide the high temperatures crucial for many industrial processes.

Enter 247Solar, a company pioneering a novel approach to concentrated solar power (CSP) that addresses these limitations. Their high-temperature systems boast overnight thermal energy storage, enabling them to deliver round-the-clock clean power and industrial-grade heat.

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Source: Interesting Engineering

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