Seeing red: Economist

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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