So your backpack or sports bag may soon be charging the solar battery on your cellphone or e-book.  In a recent article in the New York Times by ANNE EISENBERG, entitled Recharging Your Cellphone, Mother Nature’s Way, Eisenberg reviewed a technological leap in the solar industry.

In the past, solar chargers used photovoltaic cells constructed with silicon or similar organic materials but these new solar cells use a photosensitive dye which starts an energy production process similar to that which occurs in the leaves of a plant when chlorophyll begins photosynthesis.

Eisenberg quoted:

The technology, long in development, will work best in full, direct sunshine, said Dr. Michael Grätzel, a chemist and professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland. But the cells will also make good use of dappled and ambient light, including the indoor light of fluorescent bulbs.

It sounds like these dye based cells had a rocky start.  They were first introduced to the science community in 1991 but they functioned only under ideal circumstances, that is in direct sunlight.  However, Dr. Grätzel and his coworkers continued to work on the cells.  Results are now considered successful enough for  Mascotte Industrial Associates to incorporate them on Sony E-book covers and the Tonino Lamborghini messenger bag.

With these cells built into the carrying cases, we will soon be able to plug our phones or ipods into our our backpack, book bag or purse and never again have to drive around for an hour so we can make a call.

I would think it would help to live in a sunny location.  However, Eisenberg’s article also confirms that  Mark Thomas, the chief executive of Dyesol (the company that supplies the materials for construction of the solar cells) agrees with Grätzel and assures us that the technology has come a long way and that the cells draw energy from many sources other than direct sunlight and have even succeeded at generating energy in the moonlight.

I can’t see these being big sellers in Seattle or northern Maine, however I may try one out in San Felipe this winter.

Technorati Tags: dye-sensitivesolarcells, newsolartechnology, photosensitivedyecells, solarbatterychargers, solarcells

• 15 solar power streetlights to be used as emergency lighting for hospitals that without power
• solar panels to power 10 water pumping stations for Water Missions International  (these 10 stations will provide clean water for up to 175,000 people

If you would like to help, Sol has set up a link on it’s company site to allow you to purchase additional supplies for the relief efforts.

Author Note:  We are not personally involved with this company nor do we act as an affiliate on their behalf, in fact we are affiliates for their competitors, however we believe that at times like this we should all support the efforts of others who are working to help those in need.  We do not however have any control or responsibility for these actions and can not their personally guarantee their reliability.

Technorati Tags: Haitiearthquake, reliefefforts, solarpower

Betrand Piccard, president and pilot of Solar Impulse and his partner Andre Borschberg are busy running computerized simulations of possible situations and circumstances they might encounter on their first around-the- world solar flight. In addition to the similated journeys, the duo are also testing a slightly smaller version of the plane to hope to send on it’s first world voyage sometime in 2012 or 2013. Piccard revealed their plans for the solar aircraft at a meeting of the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi this week.  He said the project has been underway for seven years thus far and they hope to test the plane at heights of 27,000 feet  and night flights in the coming year. If successful at this height and flying at night, the next challenge will be to build a larger version of the plane that will be able to carry a passenger, a parachute, a life raft, water, food and oxigen for a total payload of 350 pounds.  This will require a plane with a 210 foot wing span.  With a weight of 1.6 tons it will be about equivelent of compact car in weight but near the length and width of a passenger jet, thus more resembling a bicycle in structure. In order to make a around the world trip without sleep, Piccard plans on using self-hypnosis to simulate a sleep-like state during the flight.  He is not new to self-hypnosis and is well known as an advocate in the field.  Neither will this be if first circumvention of the earth, Piccard was the first person to circle the Earth in a baloon in 1999. Authors note: Which came first?… Betrand or the Captain?

Technorati Tags: aroundtheworld, solarflight, solarpower

Technorati Tags: alternative, energy, renewable

Buy all 3 for $47.85

Technical Details

• Solar Powered
• Long Lasting LED Bulb
• Weather Resistant
• Automatically Turns on at Dusk
• Durable Construction

Technorati Tags: solar garden lights, solar patio lights

Home Bright Solar Powered Landscape Lights

Amazon is slashing prices and offering free shipping on qualified items.  Now is the time get your solar home and garden supplies.  This fabulous set of HomeBright Solar Powered Garden Lights are marked down to $28.60.  You can get them a few pennies cheaper from the ‘as seen on TV Guys’ but the shipping is higher.

Technical Details

* Item sold in a set of 2 lights
* Engineered with Homebrite exclusive Super Bright Technology
* Large size stainless steel lamp with special optically design fluent lens
* 3 high output cool white LEDs incorporated with Homebrite’s 3 way diffusion system
* Marvelously brilliant light and contemporary design is the nature of our Alpine Solar Light

Product Description:  Marvelously brilliant light and contemporary design is the nature of our Alpine Solar Light. Using our new and exclusive super bright technology, this light brightens up for 10 hours at night when fully charged. Each light consists of three Super Bright Natural White LEDs in wide angles, providing 360 degree direct lighting. Through a unique 3-way diffusing system and special optically designed lens, the light beams are magnified to create an incredibly super intense light. Each lamp covers an area of 20 feet and can be seen from 300 feet away. Made of quality stainless steel. Auto Dusk-To-Dawn mode and two AA rechargeable batteries included. This true ultra bright path light really adds beauty to any home. Engineered with Homebrite exclusive Super Bright Technology Large size stainless steel lamp with special optically design fluent lens. 3 high output cool white LEDs incorporated with Homebrite’s 3 way diffusion system Item sold in a set of 2 lights

Recommended Solar Reading

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• Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog » Seventh-grader’s Solar … – Yuan worked on his project for the past two years with the encouragement of his science teacher Susan Duncan; support of his parents Gang Yuan and Zhiming Mei; and counsel of professional mentors Professor Chunfei Li of Portland State …
• Solar Panel Installation, One Time Costly Investment Will Pay For … – There are several new advancements in solar powered signs that help technological advances, making it easier to harness the suns energy to make electricity or power something smaller such as an LED light.
• SolarMagic Boosts Performance For Shaded Solar Arrays – Improve the Efficiency of your Solar System. Looking for a way to be greener and more efficient with your solar electrical systems? Here’s a new device created to boot your PV system’s output by 10-40% from smart thinking, …
• Should Solar Powered Satellites Be Built Over Land Or Over Water … – When one looks at the heavens above us, at its utter vastness, you can not help but be humbled by its glorious potential. Whether its exploiting asteroids or water ice, one can only imagine the untapped resources just waiting at …
• ITP: Solar Powered at Rob Faludi – The ITP Solar Powered project will channel power into many of the small electrics on the ITP floor, using energy created by our rooftop solar panel. The aim of the project is to create high visibility for sustainable power while fully utilizing our limited clean energy resources. Currently the solar panel is set up to charge two 60Ah lead-acid battery packs in alternation.

Technorati Tags: solar landscape lights, solar power, solar powered garden lights

If you are like me, you will want to research for yourself exactly how much a solar panel is going to cost you before you jump into a do-it-yourself solar project.  If you are looking for some serious reading material on the subject start with the three books listed below.  If you can get through these three you will not only be well on your way to becoming a solar panel expert but you will have good idea what the actually solar panel cost is going to be.

Large-scale Solar Thermal Power – Technologies, Costs and Development

This important contribution to the issue of renewable energy describes the technical and economical requirements of mass-produced solar thermal power plants, from the different types of power plants to the development needs and a massive development program. The authors – renowned and experienced experts in the field – show that solar thermal power plants, because of their simple technology, are easy to build with high production rates and therefore can play a substantial role in the rapid substitution of fossil fuels. On the basis of solar thermal power and coal from substituted coal plants, a future energy system is described supplying gas and liquid fuels. This is the first discussion of a complete concept, a Crash-Strategy, for the partial replacement of oil and natural gas.

Photovoltaics Guide Book for Decision Makers

First I’d like to say that this book isn’t for scientists. When they say its for decision makers, it is. There are lot of the facts written in here with graphs showing trends in the economic and financial markets. It looks at many different factors so that a person in charge can make a sound financial investment.  I would definitely not recommend this book for someone who is interested in the scientific aspect of solar power. There is a small section in the book that goes over the science of solar cells but isn’t very comprehensive. This would be a good book to supplement a business presentation.

High-Efficient Low-Cost Photovoltaics: Recent Developments (Springer Series in Optical Sciences)

A birds-eye view of the development and problems of recent photovoltaic cells and systems and prospects for Si feedstock is presented. High-efficient low-cost PV modules, making use of novel efficient solar cells (based on c-Si or III-V materials), and low cost solar concentrators are in the focus of this book.

 

Technorati Tags: diy solar construction, research solar, solar panel cost, solar panels cost, solar power

AZM Solar Post Light

The lowest price on the AZM Solar Post Light is offered by Dyna Tech LLC but this company has not been with Amazon long enough to be rated or reviewed so buyers will have to take their chances and trust Amazon’s review and evaluation at this point.  If you aren’t feeling adventurous, the other two suppliers, HyTech Media and Enkomax  have 4 and 5 star ratings and their prices are only a dollar or two more.

Technorati Tags: solar landscape lights, solar post light, solar powered lights

Technorati Tags: Maxsa, Maxsa Solar, solar garden lights, solar security lights

Home Bright Solar Powered Landscape Lights

Are Solar Garden Lights Beneficial?
By Frank Allison

One of the biggest disadvantages solar lighting is the initial investment cost. If you are a home owner this choice becomes a lot easier when you see the savings that you make over time. Get information about the pros and cons of garden lights before you make a decision.

Solar garden lights will play a large part in our energy future. As our dependence traditional energy sources become more expensive, solar energy is becoming less costly, it is not dependent on municipal energy and does not require a cable to operate. Solar garden lights have advanced to levels now considered acceptable for many outdoor lighting applications.

One of the best advantage of solar lights are how easy it is to operate, they have no moving parts making them virtually maintenance free. Another advantage for the use of solar is that LED bulbs will never burn out. The lifetime of LED bulb is about 100,000 hours. LED lamps are one of the most efficient forms of light emission. They do not get hot and small solar charge can activate the LED lamp.

If you live in a sunny region take advantage, because there is no wiring or digging involved, it is fast and easy to install. Most solar lights stay lit for up to 10 or more hours with fully charged batteries at no cost to you. However, it is recommend that batteries are replaced every 2 years which is quite easy to do.

The facts suggests that solar garden lights are very beneficial to the environment, home owners and businesses that generate power using the solar energy. If you wish to advance efforts to clean up pollution in your community then invest in Earth friendly LED lighting products.

Solar garden lights are one of the easier way to help reduced energy costs, while providing security for your family. Each light fixture contains a solar collector panel that converts sunlight into electrical energy. This energy is stored in rechargeable batteries used to light the fixture at night.

Frank Allison is a solar garden lights professional and owner of Wave Light Solar. Our goals are to promote solar lighting technologies that offers low maintenance, that is ECO- Friendly, which help contribute to a sustainable future everyone can enjoy. Please visit us at http://www.wavelightsolar.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Allison
http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-Solar-Garden-Lights-Beneficial?&id=2709940

Technorati Tags: solar garden lights, solar landscape lights, solar lights, solar yard light