Researchers are busy trying to develop solar energy, both in terms of efficiency as well as materials and manufacturing processes.

At the University of Notre Dame, researchers have developed what they call a ‘solar paint’ that could be (more…)

Yesterday, Science Magazine hosted a debate about the application of nanotechnology to the development of solar cells. There are hopes that nanotechnology can bring solar power’s prices down to fossil fuel price level.

On the discussion panel were Alan Heeger, a (more…)

The Japanese technology company announced last week that it will build a $580 million solar cell plant in Malaysia, according to Reuters report. The company has been attracted overseas by a strong yen, which has made domestic production more costly.

The numbers are quite impressive: the new plant will (more…)

Solar power could be harvested more efficiently and transported over longer distances using tiny molecular circuits based on quantum mechanics, according to research inspired by new insights into natural photosynthesis. Incorporating the latest research into how plants, algae and some bacteria use quantum (more…)

Efficient solar cell structures can be made using simple and inexpensive manufacturing methods, a new study has shown. Flexible layers of materials could be deposited over large areas like cling film (plastic wrap).

The study was published last week in the Journal (more…)

China based JA Solar Holdings announced this week the company’s first quarter results. The company recorded revenue of $556 million during the first quarter, a 91.2% increase year on year.

Gross profit for the first quarter was $96.3 million. However, gross margins dropped to 17.3% compared (more…)

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) say they have created a new class of transparent photovoltaic cells that can turn windows into solar panels.

Richard Lunt, a postdoctoral researcher at MIT’s Research Laboratory of Electronics, says the new photovoltaic cells have the potential to turn (more…)

MIT chemist Daniel Nocera has unveiled details about his long-awaited “artificial leaf” invention, a small solar cell that mimics photosynthesis and has the potential to produce low-cost electricity for individual homes — an advance that could be particularly valuable in the developing world, where many people lack electricity. (more…)

A renewable plant-based photovoltaic (PV) solar module has been developed by BioSolar, a developer of bio-based materials from plants in order to reduce the per watt cost of solar cells. The company’s goal is to explore a new cost-saving avenue by exploring bio-based materials that can replace petroleum-based plastic solar cell components. (more…)

During Solar Power International 2010 (SPI 10), each afternoon there were more than eight concurrent conference sessions. It was not possible to attend them all, but the “The Next Great Solar Cell Material: What Technology Will Emerge Dominant on the Market?” session was particularly interesting. I briefly attended two other sessions. It was more than a little ironic that (more…)