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Newcastle Airport and Snowy Hydro to aim for 100% renewable energy.

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Newcastle Airport in Australia has recently announced a new agreement with energy provider Snowy Hydro, aimed at achieving 100% renewable energy usage for the airport. This agreement is a major step towards reducing the airport’s carbon footprint and promoting sustainability in the aviation industry.

According to Jonathan Levy, Director of Policy and Strategy at the Environmental Defense Fund, “This is a great step forward in reducing the environmental impact of the aviation industry. By committing to 100% renewable energy usage, Newcastle Airport is showing leadership in the sector and setting an example for other airports to follow.”

Under the agreement, Snowy Hydro will provide Newcastle Airport with 100% renewable energy from sources such as wind, solar, and hydro power. This will include the installation of solar panels on the airport’s terminal building, as well as the purchase of renewable energy certificates to offset any remaining emissions.

Peter Cock, CEO of the Regional Aviation Association of Australia, commented that “This is an exciting development for Newcastle Airport and the wider region. By switching to renewable energy sources, the airport is not only reducing its carbon footprint but also demonstrating its commitment to sustainable tourism. This is likely to be a major drawcard for environmentally conscious travelers.”

The move towards renewable energy is part of Newcastle Airport’s wider sustainability strategy, which also includes initiatives such as reducing waste and promoting sustainable transport options. The airport aims to become carbon neutral by 2025, and this new agreement with Snowy Hydro will play a key role in achieving this goal.

The aviation industry is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, and airports have a significant role to play in reducing the industry’s impact on the environment. Newcastle Airport’s commitment to renewable energy is therefore an important step towards a more sustainable aviation industry, and it sets an example for other airports to follow.

In addition to its environmental benefits, the agreement with Snowy Hydro is also expected to result in cost savings for Newcastle Airport. Renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly competitive with traditional fossil fuels, and by switching to renewable energy, the airport is likely to see a reduction in its energy bills over time.

The move towards renewable energy is also likely to have wider economic benefits for the region. By promoting sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint, Newcastle Airport is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable tourism. This is likely to appeal to environmentally conscious travelers, and could help to boost tourism in the region.

Overall, Newcastle Airport’s new agreement with Snowy Hydro is a positive step towards a more sustainable aviation industry. By committing to 100% renewable energy usage, the airport is setting an example for other airports to follow and demonstrating its commitment to reducing its impact on the environment. With initiatives like this, the aviation industry can continue to make progress towards a more sustainable future.

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Solar Panel Efficiency in 2023

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Solar panels are a crucial technology for generating clean and renewable energy. Over the years, researchers have been working hard to improve the efficiency of solar panels, with the goal of increasing the amount of electricity that can be produced from sunlight. In this article, we will explore the best research-cell efficiencies in solar panels.

First, it’s important to understand what we mean by cell efficiency. Solar cells are the individual units that convert sunlight into electricity. The efficiency of a solar cell is the percentage of sunlight that is converted into electricity. A higher efficiency means that more sunlight is being converted into usable electricity.

One of the most efficient solar cells currently in development is the perovskite solar cell. Perovskite is a relatively new material that has been shown to be highly efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. In 2020, a team of researchers in China developed a perovskite solar cell with an efficiency of 25.5%. This is one of the highest efficiencies ever achieved for a solar cell.

Another highly efficient solar cell technology is the multi-junction solar cell. Multi-junction solar cells use multiple layers of different materials to capture different wavelengths of sunlight. In 2021, researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the United States developed a multi-junction solar cell with an efficiency of 47.1%. This is the highest efficiency ever achieved for a solar cell.

In addition to perovskite and multi-junction solar cells, other highly efficient solar cell technologies include concentrator photovoltaics, tandem solar cells, and dye-sensitized solar cells. Concentrator photovoltaics use lenses or mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a small area, which increases the amount of electricity that can be produced. Tandem solar cells combine two or more different materials to capture more sunlight. Dye-sensitized solar cells use organic dyes to absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity.

While these solar cell technologies are still in development, they hold great promise for the future of solar energy. By improving the efficiency of solar panels, we can generate more electricity from the same amount of sunlight, making solar energy more cost-effective and accessible for everyone.

In conclusion, the best research-cell efficiencies in solar panels are currently being achieved through perovskite and multi-junction solar cell technologies. These highly efficient solar cell technologies are still in development but hold great promise for the future of solar energy. As research continues, we can expect to see even more efficient solar panels in the coming years, making solar energy a more viable and sustainable source of electricity for the world.

Best Research-Cell Efficiencies as per https://www.nrel.gov/pv/assets/pdfs/best-research-cell-efficiencies.pdf

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The Ultimate Solar Panels Are Coming: Perovskites with 250% More Efficiency

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Solar panels have long been a popular way to harness renewable energy, but the technology behind them has been slow to evolve. That is, until now. Researchers have been working on a new type of solar panel technology that promises to be even more efficient than traditional silicon solar cells. The technology is called perovskite solar cells, and they have the potential to revolutionize the solar industry.

Perovskite solar cells are made using a unique material that has been found to be highly efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. This material is called perovskite, and it is a type of crystalline structure that has a special ability to absorb sunlight. When sunlight hits the perovskite material, it causes an electrical current to flow through the material, generating electricity.

The efficiency of perovskite solar cells is what makes them so exciting. While traditional silicon solar cells have an efficiency rate of around 20%, perovskite solar cells have the potential to reach efficiencies of up to 50%. That means they can produce up to 250% more electricity than traditional solar panels.

One of the major benefits of perovskite solar cells is their cost. Traditional silicon solar panels are expensive to produce because they require large amounts of high-quality silicon. Perovskite solar cells, on the other hand, can be made using inexpensive materials and can be produced using simple manufacturing processes. This means they have the potential to be much cheaper than traditional solar panels.

Another advantage of perovskite solar cells is their flexibility. Traditional silicon solar panels are rigid and bulky, making them difficult to install on certain surfaces. Perovskite solar cells, on the other hand, can be made into thin, lightweight sheets that can be easily attached to a variety of surfaces.

Despite their many benefits, perovskite solar cells are still in the early stages of development. While researchers have been able to achieve high efficiencies in the lab, the technology has yet to be commercialized. There are still many challenges that need to be overcome, such as making the cells more durable and stable over time.

Despite these challenges, many experts believe that perovskite solar cells have the potential to revolutionize the solar industry. With their high efficiency, low cost, and flexibility, they could make solar energy more accessible to people all over the world.

If you’re interested in learning more about perovskite solar cells, Saving With Solar is a great resource. They have a category dedicated to perovskite solar cells, where you can find news, articles, and information about the latest developments in this exciting technology.

In conclusion, perovskite solar cells represent a significant breakthrough in solar panel technology. With their high efficiency, low cost, and flexibility, they have the potential to make solar energy more accessible and affordable than ever before. While there are still challenges to overcome, the future looks bright for perovskite solar cells.

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Tesla Solar Roof Problems | What’s Next?

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Tesla roof woes – Some early adopters have been experiencing Tesla solar roof problems – with one roof in Colorado catching fire and whispers of a secret “Project Titan” which Tesla have launched last year to fix faulty wiring/connectors on Tesla solar roofs America wide.

Tesla Solar Roof Problems

Tesla solar roof problems have been plaguing the company as people begin to wonder about the company’s cashflow, vision, and whether they may have overextended themselves. Well, by people I mean me – talking about Tesla as a whole. Powerwalls, Powerpacks, Model 3s, Solar Roofs. Let me know what you think in the comments. Certainly can’t blame Elon Musk for being conservative or not taking risks! 

An article by Business Insider notes that Briana Greer from Colorado was contacted by Tesla in late July about some ‘voltage fluctuations’ for the past couple of days. They promised to come and fix it on August 8 but unfortunately the house experienced a Combustible Episode before the techs arrived. According to Greer, they also wouldn’t tell her what went wrong:

“They purposely keep a lot of people in the dark. For an energy company, that’s ironic,” Greer told Business Insider in an interview last month. Wonder how long it took her to think up that one. Still, good burn.

Tesla Solar Roof
Tesla Solar Roof Problems (source: tesla.com)

According to the same article Tesla were quoted in Fox Colorado as saying “its solar panels are safe and very rarely catch fire.” Well, that’s reassuring! 

The system was installed by Xcel Energy and made by Trina (who recommend panels be inspected twice a year – something Greer says Telstra didn’t do).  

In August, Walmart sued Tesla after seven of its stores caught fire – Walmart are also complaining that Tesla can’t (or won’t?) tell them why the fire started. According to Walmart’s research, Tesla used faulty Amphenol connectors which failed in their task of heat regulation. This lead to the solar panels being subjected to a barrage of temperature spikes (which, ultimately, can lead to Walmarts on fire). Not great news. In any case, the ‘Project Titan‘ is pretty interesting, click to read Business Insider’s article on it.

If you’re interested in reading more articles talking about solar roof technology and goings on please click!

Got one of these Tesla roofs and having issues with it? Please let us know in the comments. 

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Solar Recycling Update | Breakthrough at Deakin

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 There’s been a big announcement from Deakin University who have figured out a process to remove the silicon from used solar panels – repurposing it for lithium-ion batteries. Let’s learn more about this solar recycling update which was also discussed over at Renew Economy. 

Solar Recycling Update | Breakthrough at Deakin

(source: https://www.deakin.edu.au/ifm)

There’s been a new advancement in solar recycling research. The relatively short lifespan of solar panels and the huge issue of e-waste has been something researchers have been wrestling with for years.

Deakin University’s Institute for Frontier Materials has been where Material scientists Dr Md Mokhlesur Rahman and Prof Ying (Ian) Chen have conducted this groundbreaking research. Probably makes more sense coming from them, so here you go:

“Our discovery addresses several significant challenges currently facing industries dependent on batteries and energy storage heading into the future, Dr Rahman said.

“First, being such an exceptionally high value commodity with widespread applications we do not want any of this precious product wasted. Battery grade nano-silicon is highly expensive and retails for more than $44,000 per kilogram.

“Second, with the automotive industry set to be battery driven in the future, the push to find ways to increase battery capacity is growing.

“Part of the silicon repurposing process is to nano-size the battery grade silicon, leaving a nano-silicon which can store about 10 times more energy in the same space.” Dr Rahman continued.

His colleague Dr Chen elaborated on the importance of being able to extract the silicon cells and reuse them:

“Silicon cells are the most important component of a solar panel, transferring the sun’s energy into electrons,” Professor Chen said.

“They’re also a high-value material being a chemical element and far too precious to end up as waste, which is why this finding is significant.

“We can’t claim solar panels to be recyclable, in a circular economy sense, until scientists find a way to harvest and repurpose their most valuable components,” he said.

So whilst it’s not solar recycling per se, it’s certainly a gigantic step in the right direction. What will this mean for solar panel recycling companies such as Reclaim PV? Hopefully it’ll give them a big push as well. The lifespan of solar panels has always been the white elephant on the roof so the more we can extract and repurpose from old panels the better.

According to an article on Renew Economy, the project is supported by Institute for Frontier Material’s Circular Economy Strategy Lead, Catherine McMahon, in collaboration with Deakin Research Innovations’ Senior Commercial Manager Andrew Rau and industry partner Delaminating Resources Melbourne.

 

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