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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Darlington Point Solar Farm to receive 100MW battery

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The NSW based Darlington Point Solar Farm will receive a 100MW built adjacent to the facility as part of a $3.2b push from the NSW government to bolster energy storage alongside soaring solar panel install rates.

Darlington Point Solar Farm Battery

The Darlington Point Solar Farm commenced operations earlier this year so to have energy storage sitting alongside it will be a massive boon for everyone involved. According to Wikipedia the total output will be 333MW DC or 275MW AC, with Delta Energy having a PPA for 150MW.

Shell Energy and Edify Energy will work together over the next 10 years to build the 100MW battery – with Shell taking a half share of the Darlington Point battery, according to Greg Joiner, CEO of Shell.

“This long-term services agreement is a model for how large energy users can access dispatchable power like battery storage, which complements renewables, while contributing to a cleaner and more resilient power system,” Mr Joiner said.

Edify’s CEO John Cole was also understandably bullish about the situation:

“Energy storage is fast becoming a valued capacity solution for the National Electricity Market, given its fast and precise response,” Mr Cole said. “The uncertainties in this growing technology class are reducing and with it the barriers to acceptance from market and network participants.”

Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean put out a press release discussing the battery and NSW’s solar future plans:

“The NSW government is the second-biggest energy customer in the state, and we are using our purchasing power to leverage new dispatchable capacity to help power our schools, hospitals, traffic lights and tunnels,” Mr Kean said.

“This battery will help to keep the lights on and keep costs down during peak energy periods, and support more renewable energy to come online.”

With commercial solar power going from strength to strength in 2021 it’s heartening to see large-scale energy storage solutions growing at a somewhat commensurate rate. Should help us cut down on the ‘what do you do when the sun’s not shining’ naysayers!

Click here to learn more about the Darlington Point Solar Farm from Edify’s website!

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Frameless Solar Panels released by Maxeon

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Maxeon Solar Technologies has released its new Maxeon Air technology platform which includes frameless solar panels for rooftop use.

About the Maxeon frameless solar panels

The Maxeon Air frameless solar panel systems are 50% lighter than conventional panels – they’re also completely free of aluminum framing, glass, racking, ballast or anchors. Think peel and stick – this is going to have a massive difference for premises who have uneven roofs or roofs previously unsuitable for conventional solar panel installation. It’ll at least be a whole lot easier than installing panels on strangely curved and shaped roofs (any installer will know what I’m talking about!). According to the Maxeon Air website, the frameless solar panels have been created over five years of research, development and testing.

With more than 3.5 billion cells installed on 7 continents, it’s pretty fair to say Maxeon solar cells have been rigorously tested in labs and proven in the field. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of warranty is involved in these solar panels, and how they work in terms of installation – which has promised to be much simpler than it is right now.

Maxeon refer to the panels as having an innovative peel-and-stick adhesive that requires no rooftop membrane penetrations, noting that this will minimise business disruption for customers, so it could be a fantastic panel to use if you’re looking for commercial solar panel installation.

A sales pitch from their website reveals how far ahead of the curve Maxeon are in terms of solar panel technology – their yield in partial shade and high temperatures is “unrivaled”, and they provide the highest efficiency and reliability in silicon solar (Caveats: Maxeon Air 330 W (Ground Coverage Ratio GCR of 0.9) compared to Conventional Single Tilt system (GCR of 0.65) with Conventional Panel (380W mono PERC, 19% efficient, approx. 2 m²). System loads on roof calculated with a GCR of 0.9.).

Maxeon have advised that the panels will be ready for sale in Q1 of next year. Can’t wait to look at some installs and see if the stats they’ve given stack up. I doubt they’ll come cheap, but that’s alright if the value proposition is there. Watch this space!

 

Maxeon Air Frameless Solar Panel
Maxeon Air Frameless Solar Panel (source: Maxeon)

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