To make solar cells more efficient, sprinkle them with silver
MAKERS of solar cells face a dilemma. Purified silicon, the basic material of such cells, is expensive. The temptation, therefore, is to use less of it. As a result, the makers have developed a generation of cells whose silicon layers are only a micron or two deep, as opposed to the usual thickness of 200-300 microns. The thinner the cell, however, the less efficient it is. In particular, thin cells fail to capture much light at the red end of the spectrum. That means they produce up to 20% less electricity than standard cells of equivalent area. And that negates some of the advantage of their initial cheapness.
To remedy this problem, Kylie Catchpole of the Australian National University in Canberra and Albert Polman of the Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics in Amsterdam have been trying to redirect the light that falls onto the surface of a cell in such a way that all colours are efficiently absorbed. Their chosen tools for this task are tiny particles of silver.
When struck by light, the electrons in an atom of silver vibrate in a way that causes them to radiate small amounts of light themselves. If the atom in question is in a small particle on the surface of a piece of silicon, the result is what is known as a surface plasmon. This is a type of electromagnetic wave (ie, the same type of wave as a light wave). However, as its name suggests, it runs parallel to the surface of the material that is propagating it, rather than penetrating this material.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: Seeing red: Economist
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
AEDB to help set up 10MW renewable energy plant: The News
ISLAMABAD: An American firm Sheladia would undertake a viability study for generation of up to 10 megawatts (MW) of electricity from solid waste in Karachi under a US-funded project.Funds for the study would be channelled through Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB), the focal point for promotion of renewable energy resources in the country. An agreement to this effect would be formally inked next week between Sheladia and AEDB.
The firm plans to commence the $325,000 project shortly, which would be concluded in about five months. It has been asked to complete the waste management study, defining the best options for converting it to energy and preparing required tender documents for the power plant. The plant will then be set up under public-private partnership.AEDB Chief Executive Officer Arif Alauddin, speaking after a briefing held in connection with the feasibility study, said all efforts would be made to get it completed on a fast track.
“It is really encouraging to note that an agreement between AEDB and Sheladia would be signed in a week’s time for conducting the study for producing 5-10MW through solid waste, which will not only expand electricity production sources, but would also make modest contribution to reducing the energy deficit facing the country,” said Richard O’Shea, representing the US Consulate General and USTDA.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: AEDB to help set up 10MW renewable energy plant: The News
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Pakistan and Iran ink MoU for 50MW wind farm: Daily Times
KARACHI: One of the highlights of the visit of the Iranian Minister of Energy Engr Parviz Fattah was the witnessing of the signing of a MoU between Planet Energy Pvt Ltd and Sunir Co of Iran for the joint development of a 50MW wind farm in Pakistan.
The MoU was signed by Chairman Planet Energy Pvt Ltd, Tariq Sayeed and the Managing Director Sunir Co Reza Ebadzadeh. As per the MoU, both companies would jointly invest in developing this wind farm. This is the significant development in the renewable energy sector, especially wind, where a foreign company has shown willingness to invest in Pakistan in present circumstances.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan and Iran ink MoU for 50MW wind farm: Daily Times
The MoU was signed by Chairman Planet Energy Pvt Ltd, Tariq Sayeed and the Managing Director Sunir Co Reza Ebadzadeh. As per the MoU, both companies would jointly invest in developing this wind farm. This is the significant development in the renewable energy sector, especially wind, where a foreign company has shown willingness to invest in Pakistan in present circumstances.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan and Iran ink MoU for 50MW wind farm: Daily Times
China, Pakistan Plan Solar Partnership to Face Energy Crisis: Red Green and Blue
In an effort to tackle Pakistan’s growing energy shortage, representatives of the burgeoning Chinese solar industry have offered to cooperate with the country on a high profile partnership to manufacture solar energy equipment.The offer was made at a press conference to promote the 2010 International Solar Cities Congress, to be held in Shangong province. Speaking at the event, Huang Ming, Vice‑President of the International Solar Energy Society said, “Pakistan and China are like brothers. We are eager to promote our solar energy industry in Pakistan.”
Outlining the proposed plan, Yuan Xiuhe, Deputy Mayor of Dezhou City, detailed a three-point plan intended to move the project forward. The first step, he said, was the readiness of Chinese solar power companies to establish offices in Pakistan. Secondly, he said, China is also ready to send a team of technicians from the prominent Hinin Group to set up the manufacturing of high‑quality cost effective solar energy equipment in Pakistan. Finally, the establishment of joint-ventures between Chinese and domestic companies would cement the partnership and promote a solid future for solar power in the country.
Image Credit - Mike Weston via flickr.com on a Creative Commons license
For more on this article, please click on the following link: China, Pakistan Plan Solar Partnership to Face Energy Crisis: Red Green and Blue
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Pakistan Govt plans to merge all departments working on alternative energy: The News
Thursday, November 20, 2008
By Mehtab Haider
ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to abandon various departments related to alternative energy currently working under the umbrella of four ministries/divisions and merge them with Alternative Energy Board in order to reduce millions of rupees expenditure incurred on each of them on per annum basis, it is learnt.“We have decided merger of departments of alternative energy related initiatives working under various ministries/divisions in order to reduce expenditures and avoid duplication of work,” a senior government official disclosed while talking to The News here on Wednesday.
However, when official spokesman of Alternative Energy Board (AEB) was contacted for comments on Wednesday, he said that the AEB was not aware of any development in this regard.But the ministerial level source insisted that the decision to this effect was taken by high powered ministerial committee of the PPP government in a bid to overcome severe criticism on the incumbent regime for appointing battalions of ministers, minister of state and parliamentary secretaries at a time when the country is getting loan from the IMF.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: Govt plans to merge all departments working on alternative energy: The News
By Mehtab Haider
ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to abandon various departments related to alternative energy currently working under the umbrella of four ministries/divisions and merge them with Alternative Energy Board in order to reduce millions of rupees expenditure incurred on each of them on per annum basis, it is learnt.“We have decided merger of departments of alternative energy related initiatives working under various ministries/divisions in order to reduce expenditures and avoid duplication of work,” a senior government official disclosed while talking to The News here on Wednesday.
However, when official spokesman of Alternative Energy Board (AEB) was contacted for comments on Wednesday, he said that the AEB was not aware of any development in this regard.But the ministerial level source insisted that the decision to this effect was taken by high powered ministerial committee of the PPP government in a bid to overcome severe criticism on the incumbent regime for appointing battalions of ministers, minister of state and parliamentary secretaries at a time when the country is getting loan from the IMF.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: Govt plans to merge all departments working on alternative energy: The News
Friday, November 14, 2008
Tubular sunshine: Economist
Oct 9th 2008
From The Economist print edition
A new sort of solar panel is less fussy about where the sun shines from
SOLAR power should be a cheap and simple way of making electricity, but like any technology the practicalities tend to get in the way. Even if the sun does come out the panels may not face in the right direction. Then there is the cost, which can exceed $40,000 for a household system—more than half of which is accounted for by installation. This week, however, a Californian company launched a new type of solar panel that tries to overcome these problems.
Standard solar panels are assembled from arrays of photovoltaic cells made from silicon, like computer chips. These cells absorb photons in light and transfer their energy to electrons, which form an electrical circuit.
Solyndra, based in Fremont, is taking a different approach. It is one of a number of firms, including First Solar, Nanosolar and Global Solar, using different materials to produce the photovoltaic effect and building them in extremely thin layers, almost like printing on paper. As these films use less material they are cheaper to produce, not least because they can be deposited on bases like metal, glass and plastic.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: Tubular sunshine: Economist
From The Economist print edition
A new sort of solar panel is less fussy about where the sun shines from
SOLAR power should be a cheap and simple way of making electricity, but like any technology the practicalities tend to get in the way. Even if the sun does come out the panels may not face in the right direction. Then there is the cost, which can exceed $40,000 for a household system—more than half of which is accounted for by installation. This week, however, a Californian company launched a new type of solar panel that tries to overcome these problems.
Standard solar panels are assembled from arrays of photovoltaic cells made from silicon, like computer chips. These cells absorb photons in light and transfer their energy to electrons, which form an electrical circuit.
Solyndra, based in Fremont, is taking a different approach. It is one of a number of firms, including First Solar, Nanosolar and Global Solar, using different materials to produce the photovoltaic effect and building them in extremely thin layers, almost like printing on paper. As these films use less material they are cheaper to produce, not least because they can be deposited on bases like metal, glass and plastic.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: Tubular sunshine: Economist
‘Pakistan to add 20,000MW in 10 years’: The News
Friday, November 14, 2008
By our correspondent
LAHORE: Pakistan is likely to add 20,000MW hydro-electricity generation capacities in next 10 years that besides mitigating power shortage would have sobering effect on the average cost of electricity generation.Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman, Shakeel Ahmad Durrani stated this during an interview with The News. He said the major hydro-electric generation would come from Dialmer Basha Dam that would produce 4500 MW electricity, the construction of which would start by second quarter next year. He said earlier, WAPDA was concentrating on mega dams only that served the dual purpose of providing water for irrigation and generating electricity. He said now it has been decided to explore all avenues from where the hydro-electric generation is possible.He said Bunji a run of the river project would produce 5400MW electricity. Engineering of this project has been completed and its tenders would be invited in early 2010. This project would be completed in seven years and its cost is $6 billion. The project would be built on River Indus near Gilgit, he added.He said Dasu is another run of the river electricity generation project, located 2km upstream on Indus River 69km downstream of Diamer Basha dam. He said feasibility study of the project would be completed within this year. He said tentative project cost is $6.5 billion. The project he added should be completed within a decade as its implementation period is estimated to be 7 years.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: ‘Pakistan to add 20,000MW in 10 years’: The News
By our correspondent
LAHORE: Pakistan is likely to add 20,000MW hydro-electricity generation capacities in next 10 years that besides mitigating power shortage would have sobering effect on the average cost of electricity generation.Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman, Shakeel Ahmad Durrani stated this during an interview with The News. He said the major hydro-electric generation would come from Dialmer Basha Dam that would produce 4500 MW electricity, the construction of which would start by second quarter next year. He said earlier, WAPDA was concentrating on mega dams only that served the dual purpose of providing water for irrigation and generating electricity. He said now it has been decided to explore all avenues from where the hydro-electric generation is possible.He said Bunji a run of the river project would produce 5400MW electricity. Engineering of this project has been completed and its tenders would be invited in early 2010. This project would be completed in seven years and its cost is $6 billion. The project would be built on River Indus near Gilgit, he added.He said Dasu is another run of the river electricity generation project, located 2km upstream on Indus River 69km downstream of Diamer Basha dam. He said feasibility study of the project would be completed within this year. He said tentative project cost is $6.5 billion. The project he added should be completed within a decade as its implementation period is estimated to be 7 years.
For more on this article, please click on the following link: ‘Pakistan to add 20,000MW in 10 years’: The News
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