Solar Power Goes Viral

By John Rennie

Catching a nasty virus certainly isn’t on anyone’s holiday wish list, but for solar power it might be just what the doctor ordered.

With the help of a genetically modified virus, materials researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have found a way to boost the efficiency of one type of thin-film photovoltaic cell by 30 percent.

For years, engineers have experimented with a variety of unique collection material for solar cells, including single-walled carbon nanotubes: tiny hollow cylinders only a few billionths of a meter wide but with diamond-like strength. These carbon nanotubes, however, have been unproductive.

Part of the problem, scientists suspected, was that the processes for making nanotubes yield mixtures with different electronic properties—some carbon nanotubes are semiconductors, some are metallic.

A genetically engineered virus called M13 can be used to help rearrange molecules—for example, to make batteries more efficient.

But in the June 2011 issue of Nature Nanotechnology, Angela M. Belcher’s Biomolecular Materials Group at MIT announced an intriguing solution.

INNOVATION OUTBREAK
Over the past decade, Belcher’s laboratory has been exploring how viruses—embodiments of nature’s own nanotechnology—can solve problems in materials science and microelectronics.

Previously, the group has shown that a genetically engineered virus called M13 can be used to help rearrange molecules—for example, to make batteries more efficient.

Hoping to solve the nanotube challenge, members of Belcher’s lab altered M13 so that pieces of proteins, or peptides, on its surface could bind to carbon nanotubes.

By grabbing onto the nanotubes, the viruses stopped them from clumping, which allowed scientists to verify that the difference in electronic properties alone affected the nanotubes’ function. Semiconducting ones raised efficiency, whereas metallic ones degraded it.

PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
The MIT group discovered that using the viruses with semiconducting nanotubes improved the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells by almost a third, from eight percent to 10.6 percent. That improvement isn’t gigantic in absolute terms, but it helps to make this variety of thin-film cell significantly more practical.

Because the virus-nanotube complexes can be treated simply as an additive to the normal solar-cell fabrication process, incorporating them into manufacturing should be relatively easy.

The researchers believe that this viral technique could be adapted to work with other types of solar cells. Dang, a PhD candidate in the lab, says that since submitting the Nature Nanotechnology paper for publication he has started a project to adapt the virus-nanotube technique for use in quantum dot solar cells and his colleagues have done the same with organic dye cells.

Moreover, according to Dang, several companies have already contacted them about acquiring the virus-nanotube technology. Because the virus-nanotube complexes can be treated simply as an additive to the normal solar-cell fabrication process, incorporating them into manufacturing should be relatively easy, he says.

AUTHOR BIO:
John Rennie is a science writer, editor and lecturer based in New York City. Between 2004 and 2009, he served as editor in chief of Scientific American. His writing has appeared in publications including The Economist, The New York Times and IEEE Spectrum. Since 2009, he has been an adjunct instructor in the graduate Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute of New York University. Currently, Rennie writes “The Gleaming Retort” for the PLoS Blogs science blogging network. He has been a frequent guest on television and radio programs appearing on PBS, NPR, the History Channel and Discovery.

This story was orginally published on ecomagination .

Principal Solar, Inc. (PSWW) Launches World’s First Solar Energy Library

Principal Solar, Inc (PSI; OTC Pink: PSWW), a publicly traded renewable energy holding company which concentrates its resources on rapidly advancing the inevitable, worldwide utilization of solar power through a unique roll-up strategy, today launched the Definitive Solar Library, the world’s first online reference center dedicated exclusively to solar energy.

“Efforts to capture the power of the sun at a reasonable cost continue to evolve, positioning solar energy as one of the hottest topics around the world and creating the need for straightforward information and perspectives that improve upon the renewable energy exchange of ideas,” says Michael Gorton, CEO and president of Principal Solar, Inc. “By defining the issues, collecting and distributing information, the Definitive Solar Library will serve as a valuable educational outpost for leaders of government, business and academia. It will also be accessible to consumers who want to join the dialogue.”

In conjunction with launch of the Library, Principal Solar today released two white papers:

• “Under the Sun: Putting Environmental and Regulatory Issues to Work,” co-authored by Gorton and Scott D. Deatherage, partner, Patton Boggs, guides investors through the technical, legal and environmental issues required for making solar projects work successfully.

• “Interfacing with the Electrical Grid,” co-authored by Ken Allen, chief operating officer, Principal Solar, and Ron Seidel, PE, board of directors, Principal Solar, outlines the interconnection of power sources with renewable generation and the roles of federal, regional and state regulatory agencies in the processes.

“Because more entities have become aware of solar energy and its many attributes, timing for this launch is ideal,” said Gorton. “We expect the Library to improve upon existing practices and deliver additional solutions that advance significant social and economic value to communities, governments and individuals worldwide.”

About Principal Solar
Principal Solar, Inc (PSI; OTC Pink: PSWW), is a publicly traded renewable energy holding company which concentrates its resources on the acquisition, finance, development and management of solar power companies to rapidly advance the inevitable utilization of solar power. The company is building the world’s first online library dedicated exclusively to the field of solar energy – a 24-hour gateway to current information, perspectives and thought-leadership: www.definitivesolarlibrary.com. Visit www.PrincipalSolar.com.

Solar Ivy Installation to ‘Climb the Walls’ at University of Utah

Photo Credit: Courtesy SMIT

Solar-generated electricity is taking a new form – that of solar panels shaped like artistically fashioned ivy leaves decorating a wall’s surface. The first location in the United States to apply this colorful array is the University of Utah (the U) in Salt Lake City .  This new product called Solar Ivy was developed by Sustainably Minded Interactive Technology (SMIT), a company in New York.

The idea and most of the cash for the project comes from the U’s student-led Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund (SCIF), which is funded by student contributions. Each year, students compete for grants to finance projects that have a positive environmental impact and help educate the campus community about developing earth-conscious habits.

Bringing Solar Ivy to the U was spearheaded by Tom Melburn, an environmental studies major.  His project was awarded a grant for roughly two-thirds of the $42,000 cost of the project. The remaining third will be raised from the campus community in a drive being announced today to generate funds and awareness of the many ‘green’ efforts taking place all over campus.

“Students are becoming so engaged in creating a sustainable campus that we could only partially fund all the projects submitted this year,” says Whitney Williams, SCIF coordinator.  “So, we’re turning to others in our community to partner on this one. By buying a leaf on the array, donors will make possible not only a novel energy-saving device, but also a highly visible reminder on campus to conserve electricity.”

Donations to the project can be made online at http://tiny.utah.edu/solarU.

Solar Ivy is a composition of small photovoltaic panels shaped so that they can be installed in an attractive arrangement, much like ivy growing over a building’s surface.  The panels generate electricity that is used by the building, offsetting the amount of power the building buys from the utility company. Panels can be shaped and colored to suit the installation.

“We’re considering Orson Spencer Hall for the array because of its solar exposure and its visibility,” says Melburn, who is coordinating the project with campus facilities managers.  “The south-facing brick façade receives high levels of unobstructed sun all year. Its location at the center of campus means high levels of traffic.”   SCIF and Project Manager Archie Phillips also are considering the south façade of the Olpin Student Union building, which also receives significant solar exposure.  The decision as to which building to use will be decided during the design phase of the project over the coming weeks.

The installation of the prefabricated panels is expected to begin late this fall and projected to take a few weeks to complete.

About the Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund (SCIF):
SCIF is a student-led enterprise directed by the Office of Sustainability.  The fund provides financial support for real-world projects that improve the University of Utah’s environmental quality and make the campus more sustainable. SCIF allocated $171,000 to 14 projects for the 2011 school year.  For more information, explore the SCIF website at www.sustainability.utah.edu/SCIF.

About Solar Ivy:
Solar Ivy is a product of the Brooklyn , N.Y. firm SMIT that has been challenging accepted notions about solar power collection throughout the world.

Running on Sunshine: Watch a Solar Field Being Built

DURHAM, NC – GE Aviation’s Durham, North Carolina facility, cut the ribbon on its new $3 million, seven acre solar power field that will provide enough renewable energy to power 1/3 of the facility’s electrical power during daylight hours.

The new solar power field, located next to the Durham facility, will utilize products from GE Energy’s growing portfolio of solar solutions. The field is the first complete Utility Scale Solar Power Plant installed by the company and includes a Brilliance™ Inverter, monitoring and controls, and racking and cabling in addition to more than 9,000 thin film panels that provide the renewable energy. The field will produce 700 KW of power for the Durham facility or enough energy to power 200 homes. The solar power field will also help GE Aviation Durham reduce its CO2 emissions by more than 400 million tons a year, which is the equivalent of removing 77 cars from the road each year.

“The solar power field is one of more than 200 energy reduction projects that GE Aviation Durham has implemented in the last few years,” said Mike Wagner, plant manager of GE Aviation Durham. “These projects have enabled the site to reduce its electricity bill by 30 percent while increasing its production level by 50 percent.”

The solar power field is part of GE’s ecomagination initiative, which includes a commitment by GE to reduce its absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 25 percent, water usage by 25 percent and energy intensity reduction by 50 percent. For more information about GE’s ecomagination, visit: www.ecomagination.com.

GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings. GE Aviation Durham assembles commercial engines for commercial aircraft. For more information, visit us at www.ge.com/aviation. Follow GE Aviation on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GEAviation and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/GEAviation

GE Launches New Digital Magazine – First Issue all Solar

Photo Credit: General Electric

General Electric (GE) has just launched a new weekly digital magazine called Txchnologist. The first issue, devoted entirely to solar energy, is entitled Solar Power, A Look at the ‘Sun Motor’ from Past to Future.

Articles include:
1) Polar Solar
2) Data Points: Solar’s Declining Cost Per Watt
3) Unexpected Solar Cities
4) Comment: Solar’s New Era of Optimism
5) Space Race: Will Space-Based Solar Take Off?
6) Hawaii’s Solar Paradox
7) The Take: A Quirky History of Solar Power
8) How it Works: CdTe vs cSI

Future issues promise to offer “an optimistic, but not utopian, take on the future and humanity’s ability to tackle the great challenges of our era through industry, technology and ingenuity.”

Looking forward to it GE!

SoloPower Receives Offer Of Conditional Commitment for a $197 Million Loan Guarantee from U.S. DOE to Build Thin Film Photovoltaic Module Factory

SAN JOSE, Calif., February 17, 2011 – SoloPower, a San Jose, California-based manufacturer of flexible thin film solar cells and modules, announced today that it has received a conditional commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Loan Programs Office for a $197 million loan guarantee.  The funds will support construction of a facility that, when completed and at full capacity, is expected to produce approximately 400MW of thin film Photovoltaic (PV) modules annually.

“This announcement is the latest confirmation that when it comes to energy policy, Oregon is on the right side of history,” said U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon.  “The project in Wilsonville will hire hundreds of highly skilled, highly paid Oregonians to manufacture the latest in renewable energy technology.  Oregon is already an epicenter for renewable energy projects.  A loan guarantee to help companies such as SoloPower get important projects off the ground is the right approach that will keep Oregon where it belongs – at the forefront of technology.  I look forward to working with the folks at SoloPower in putting Oregonians to work creating the products that represent the future of renewable energy.”

SoloPower CEO Tim Harris added, “We appreciate and commend the DOE’s emphasis on supporting innovative, clean-tech companies as a way to further the goal of energy independence while stimulating employment and helping secure our nation’s manufacturing base in this important emerging industry.”  Mr. Harris stated:  “This backing allows us to rapidly ramp up our production and to promote the spread of clean, distributed solar power to the rooftops and on the ground, while providing hundreds of quality manufacturing jobs using some of the most advanced technology in the world.”

SoloPower announced earlier this year that it had come to an agreement to construct its first large-scale high volume manufacturing plant in Wilsonville, Oregon.  Retrofit of the existing building is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2011.  The factory is expected to provide direct employment to approximately 500 people once it is running at full capacity.  About 270 construction jobs will be created to build the plant, and additional jobs are also likely to be generated in the local supply chain.

SoloPower’s family of lightweight flexible modules are certified to both UL and IEC standards with up to 260 Wp/panel, and are being sold in small volumes to leading customers in five countries.

For more information on SoloPower, please visit www.solopower.com

Verengo Solar Plus Receives $9.7 million Expansion Investment from Angeleno Group

January 13, 2011 -Orange, CA. – Verengo Solar Plus, the leading home solar provider in Southern California, today announced it received a $9.7 million investment from Angeleno Group, LLC, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm that invests in high growth alternative energy and energy-related companies.

“Over the past three years, Verengo has established a track record of impressive sales and revenue growth,” said Angeleno Group Managing Partner and Co-Founder Zeb Rice. “Furthermore, Verengo has demonstrated that it not only can grow quickly but also manage the operational complexities of scaling its business while continuing to provide swift and high quality customer service. We are thrilled to be partnered with the company we believe has the most successful business model in residential solar.”

“The timing is right to take our business to the next level,” said Verengo Solar Plus President Ken Button. “Angeleno Group has been a preeminent renewable energy investment firm for the past decade and we are excited about working with them to make solar power the first choice of every American home.”

“It’s amazing to be able to offer a product that saves people money, saves the environment, and makes the U.S. more energy independent,” said Verengo Solar Plus CEO Randy Bishop.  “When we started this company, we wanted to prove the business model locally and then expand.  We’re excited to begin this new phase with this financing.”

Seven Hills Partners LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Verengo in this transaction.

ABOUT VERENGO SOLAR PLUS
Verengo Solar Plus is the leading residential solar integrator in Southern California offering comprehensive financial options and superior customer service consistently earning an A+ with the Better Business Bureau. Verengo has reduced carbon emissions through its solar systems, accomplishing the equivalent of planting 72,000 acres of trees, taking more than 28,800 cars off the road and saving homeowners $60 million in energy costs over the lifetime of Verengo’s installed systems to date. For more information, visit www.VerengoSolar.com

ABOUT ANGELENO GROUP
Angeleno Group is the leading Los Angeles based private equity firm focused on high growth investments in the energy sector. It makes investments broadly across the energy industry to support innovative, well-managed, early to expansion stage companies. Areas of particular interest include advanced generation, energy intelligence and control, clean transportation, renewables, transmission and distribution, power storage, and energy efficiency and conservation technology. To learn more about Angeleno Group visit www.angelenogroup.com