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Scientists at Stanford University have developed an ultra-thin, light-absorbing material that could eventually be used to create inexpensive solar cells. In a news release, researchers stated that the new material, which is only several nanometers thick and absorbs 99 percent of the light that hits it, is significantly thinner and lighter than any known material with the same properties.

By laying gold dots only 14 nanometers by 7 nanometers onto a wafer, the research team was able to “tune” the dots so that they absorbed particular wavelengths of light. They found that the wafers were incredibly efficient and could potentially be used as materials for a whole new class of solar cells.

“Our results show that it is possible for an extremely thin layer of material to absorb almost 100 percent of incident light of a specific wavelength,” Stacey Bent, a professor of chemical engineering at Stanford, said in the news release. “Achieving complete absorption of visible light with a minimal amount of material is highly desirable for many applications, including solar energy conversion to fuel and electricity.”

It remains to be seen if these wafers can actually be applied to solar cell technology, as these experiments only proved they could absorb light. The scientists need to run additional tests to see if the wafers will be able to convert the absorbed wavelengths into electricity.

One of the most exciting aspects of operating in the California solar energy industry is that there are constantly new developments in solar cell technology that promise to revolutionize the way we produce electrical power.

An interesting innovation was announced recently regarding dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), which are transparent, low cost and can convert more sunlight to electricity when it is cloudy outside. Researchers at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland have created DSSCs that achieve efficiency rates of 15 percent, making them comparable to the silicon-based cells that are currently on the market.

Commercially manufactured solar cells, such as those in photovoltaic panels that AMECO Solar installs on our customer’s rooftops, typically have a power efficiency of 15 to 23 percent, meaning that approximately a fifth of the sunlight hitting the panel is converted into electricity.

DSSCs are somewhat transparent, giving them broader applications such as installing them on windows. They are also more durable, lighter and cost less to produce. While typical silicon solar cells need to be protected by a sheet of glass, this is not the case with DSSCs.

This technology is still in development, but it is thought that these cells will someday become ubiquitous in rooftop systems and lower the cost of going solar. In the meantime, solar consumers will continue to rely on photovoltaic solar cell technology to provide renewable energy to their homes and businesses.

With temperatures rising into the 80s and 90s, many homeowners in Los Angeles and Orange County are thinking about investing in a swimming pool. But for some, the energy expenses of operating a pool heater are so high that they do not to move forward with the investment. Fortunately, there’s a solution that will allow you to heat your pool without worrying about your monthly utility bill.

A standard pool filter pumps water through a solar collector, which heats it up and then allows it to flow back into the pool. It provides you with enough heat to make your pool comfortable to swim with little or no additional energy cost. A solar pool heater will reduce your normal energy costs significantly.

Although the typical solar pool heater will cost $3,000 to $5,000, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that homeowners will see a payback period between 1.5 and 7 years, depending upon the fuel that is being replaced, meaning that the cost of installing a solar heater will be offset by fuel savings within that timeframe. Most of AMECO’s solar pool customers see a payback period between 1.5 and 2.5 years.

Depending on your climate and temperature needs, the solar collector will take up between 50 and 100 percent of the surface area of the pool with the average pool taking up about 60 percent of the surface area. Placed on your roof, this will hardly be noticeable, and you and your family will be able to enjoy temperate waters.

If you already own a pool and have been looking for a more cost-effective way of heating it to a reasonable temperature, or if you’re in the market for adding a swimming pool to your property and want to start off on the right track, contact AMECO Solar by calling (888) 595-9570 or emailing gosolar@th2.e81.myftpupload.com to schedule a consultation.

A pair of recent interviews with some of the solar industry's top professionals has shown that, as far as these chief executive officers are concerned, there is little stopping the growth of the solar energy movement. 

In a sit-down talk with Bloomberg News, SunPower head Tom Werner speculated that within the next ten years, the solar industry will begin to supplant traditional sources of power like coal, oil and natural gas. His forecast is based on current expansion projections in California and abroad, which have been encouraged primarily by educational outreach that promotes the benefits of solar. He also pointed to growing demand for quality solar panels for homes that are both more durable and energy efficient. Because of this market strength, he predicts that more Americans will opt to buy these electric systems for their residences.

According to CleanTechina, a green community news source, the CEO of a major German solar panel maker said in an interview with the German-language newspaper Deutsche Welle that solar power might even become cheaper than coal one day. While more technological development is needed to push solar efficiency to new heights, he suggested that shifting perspectives on fossil fuels and growing alarm over the dangers of coal burning could push more households and businesses to adopt solar power.

Residents of California do not need to wait for new types of solar panels to be invented in order to benefit from a solar electric system or solar pool heater, the latter of which makes home recreation even more affordable. The professional team at AMECO Solar can help you determine which solar technology is best suited for you and develop an installation plan. Call our offices today to learn how solar power can change your life for the better!