Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) say they have achieved a major breakthrough in the conversion of sunlight into electricity, surpassing what was long believed to be an absolute limit to the efficiency of solar cell devices. (more…)

A KickStarter project shows how solar panel factories could become a feature of any neighborhood, producing cheap solar panels for an age when these would become truly mass consumption items.

Devised by inventors Shayne Frayne and Alex Hornstein, the duo has come up with a concept called “solar pocket factory” to produce cheaper (more…)

Tigo Energy was founded in 2008, with a vision to improving the output of solar photovoltaic panels, and since then has raised $50 million and has expanded its solutions to include fire prevention. But Tigo is not satisfied acting only in the solar roofs and fields arena, but is also a pioneer in (more…)

Indian cell phone maker Micromax has announced the launch of a unit equipped with photovoltaic cells. The model is called X259 and the company describes it as “functional and efficient”. It features a 2.4” screen, camera, Bluetooth and the option to use two chips. (more…)

A fresh edition of GTM Research`s five-year report on the costs of solar photovoltaics has just been published (PV Technology, Production and Cost: 2012-2016 Outlook). To say that the reduction of costs in the last couple of years is surprising is an understatement. (more…)

Blue Sunny Skies and Sun Energy Partners f/k/a McConnell Energy Solutions and d/b/a SolarDock is a Delaware company that makes solar module mounting systems.

SolarDock owns U.S. Patent No. 6,968,654, entitled “Solar panel mounting structure, solar panel system, and methods of making and installing thereof” (’654 Patent). (more…)

The US solar industry is undergoing some serious growing pains, with bankruptcies and mergers a necessary part of that process; meanwhile, competition from Chinese solar panels has many believing that American solar simply cannot compete. Not so.

Solar’s track record is certainly not inspiring: The (more…)

First Solar, Inc., the U.S.’s biggest solar manufacturer, will lay off 2,000 workers and close its German factory, citing what the company called fundamental changes to the industry and “deteriorating market conditions” in Europe.

The Arizona-based company, which had been the (more…)

A German startup has developed a new type of lightweight solar panel its developers say can be integrated into the design of buildings and even used in electricity-producing tinted windows.

Designed by Dresden-based Heliatek, the technology utilizes small, organic molecules in the (more…)

Most homeowners looking to go solar either buy a system for thousands of dollars or lease one.

Now, thanks to Sharp’s new SunSnap product, they’ll soon have a new option. For as little as $1,000, you can buy a single panel with a micro-inverter built right into it.

The new Sharp Solar system made its (more…)