Energy history facts

From ancient times people use various energy sources. Geothermal energy were used for springs and heating, hydro and wind energy were used for mills, sailing, water pumps and other mechanical devices, solar energy was used for heating, biomass and coal were used for heating, illumination, cooking, and so on.  For example, nearly 2000 years ago the Greeks used water wheels to grind wheat into

Read more »

Italy - One of renewable energy leaders

Current situation with renewable energy in EU is looking exceptionally good, and Italy is no exception, in fact the Apennine peninsula country has in the last couple of years become one of the European clean energy leaders. According to the official government figures Italy is well on the track to meet its EU target of generating 26 percent of energy from renewable energy sources by 2020 since

Read more »

Solar and wind – Current status facts

Solar energy is almost limitless source of renewable energy in our planet. The scientists have calculated that the total amount of solar energy absorbed by our planet is approximately 3,850,000 exajoules (EJ) per year. What this means is that solar energy really has enormous potential, and that covering only 4% of the world's deserts with solar panels would be enough to satisfy all of the

Read more »

Solar power plant with mirrors – Florida example

The largest solar power plant in the United States is located in California's Mojave Desert and is owned by Florida Power & Light Co (FPL). Florida Power & Light Co has not stopped on just one project and has also constructed large solar power plant at the Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center in Indiantown, the one that is now the second largest solar power plant in the world, with the

Read more »

Solar panels and snow - minimum power losses

Snow and solar cells are not always put together in the same equation but this however does not mean that photovoltaic panels are not worth the investment in the areas characterized by long winters and plenty of snow. They can still be worth of money.

The major negative side in the relation solar panel-snow is that the layer of snow can cause a solar-cell blackout for awhile therefore

Read more »

EU leads the way in installing photovoltaics

The newly installed photovoltaics are appearing all over the world with Europe still leading the way. In fact, according to a latest study by the by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, Europe accounted for two thirds of the global newly installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity in 2011, with 18.5 GW. With it, the Europe's overall PV capacity increased to 52 GW and solar power now

Read more »

Facts on buying used solar panels

Solar panels have dropped in prices by more than 40% in the last two years but regardless of this they are still quite an expensive renewable energy option for many homeowners and small businesses. This is the reason why plenty of people consider option that include buying used solar panels. Older solar panels can sometimes prove to be a real bargain and save you plenty of money, so this is

Read more »

Researchers testing zero-net energy home

The U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has come up with a very interesting concept after unveiling brand  new laboratory designed to prove that a typical-looking suburban home for a family of four can generate as much energy as it uses in a year. After an initial year-long experiment, this prototype of a home should serve to improve test methods for

Read more »

Solar cell facts

A solar cell is an electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. A solar cell is also called photovoltaic cell or photoelectric cell.

Photoelectric effect was first observed 1839 by Edmond Becquerel, a physicist from France. In year 1876 Adams and Day observed the photovoltaic effect in solid selenium.  Modern solar cell was discovered

Read more »

Innovative solar program in New Jersey

Purchasing solar panels, even despite the recent drop in prices and helpful rebates from the state still presents a rather expensive venture to many people with typical costs climbing up to tens of thousands of dollars. Therefore it is always more than welcome when some company comes up with the innovative ideas that would save customers lot of money while still providing them with clean,

Read more »

Solar energy - General overview

Our Sun is the most abundant source of energy on our planet. However, due to a long-term fossil fuel dominance as well as inadequate development of solar power technologies solar energy is far from being regarded as one of the most important energy sources in the world. Many energy experts believe that this will change in years to come, and that one day, maybe even before the end of this century

Read more »

US photovoltaic industry

According to the latest reports the US solar PV market grew 36% in 2009 despite the global financial crisis. However, financial crisis was still heavily felt as this number is significantly smaller compared to 2008 when there was 62% growth of US solar energy market. Looking at this data from global perspective in 2009 US was ranked fourth largest solar photovoltaic market, behind Germany, Italy

Read more »

India launches National Solar Mission plan

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently stated a rather ambitious plan to make India a global leader in solar power as he launched a government initiative to boost use of the solar technology, and make solar energy the most important renewable energy source in country.According to Singh solar energy can not only help secure India's energy independence and decrease the need for expensive

Read more »

Solar collector facts

Solar collectors transform solar radiation into heat and then transfer that heat to a medium (water, solar fluid, or air). The term is applied to solar hot water panels, but may also be used to denote more complex installations such as solar parabolic, solar trough and solar towers.Solar hot water systems use sunlight to heat water. In low geographical latitudes (below 40 degrees) from 60 to 70%

Read more »

Most Americans would turn to solar energy

When planning and thinking about renewable energy future for your country it is always important to know public opinion, and the public opinion in United States suggests that vast majority of Americans wants to see further development of solar power across the whole country

92% percent of Americans think that it’s important for the country to develop and use solar power, making this alternative

Read more »

China - Solar energy to dominate renewables

China is world's biggest polluter, and country that has become a synonym for pollution so it is really no surprise that China is mobilising its renewable sector in an effort to make the economy greener and decrease pollution across many Chinese cities. Therefore the Chinese government has offered solar companies support policies including land, bank loans and research fund in order to further

Read more »

Importance of renewable energy sources

Renewable energy systems - General infoLately there has been some problems in the supply of conventional energy sources (those that come from fossil fuels) so it is really no wonder that more and more nations are interested to use different renewable energy systems in order to satisfy their growing energy demand. All renewable energy systems have one thing in common, namely the fact that there

Read more »

Sahara solar project facts

Sometimes called the Saudi Arabia of solar energy, the Sahara could soon be home to dozens of huge solar farms under a new EU supergrid initiative to supply the continent's electricity needs with renewable energy.The 20 companies aim to sign a memorandum of understanding to found the Desertec Industrial Initiative, which would then commission studies on various projects in North Africa.Siemens AG

Read more »

Solar energy pushed back because of recession

Economic recession and credit crisis is having serious effect on future development of solar energy sector. A year ago optimism around solar energy was constantly rising with many energy experts proclaiming it as renewable energy source NO.1 , and one of the top future energy sources. What has happened in only one year that changed all of this? First of al investors have started thinking twice

Read more »

Sun's energy facts

The energy coming from the sun to the Earth's surface is called solar energy. Sun energy is generated in its nucleus mainly through the thermonuclear reaction of hydrogen fusion into helium. In the form of electromagnetic waves this energy is then transmitted from the nucleus towards the surface of the Sun and further on in the surrounding space. The Sun's energy is generated in its core.

Read more »