Solar & Renewable Energy News Blog

SMA Inverters Chosen for 31kW AZUR Solar System at Renowned Orlando Science Center
PV System to Provide Clean Energy for Leading Public Educational Site

ROCKLIN, Calif., May 4, 2010—AZUR Solar has completed a 31kilowatt solar electric system for the Orlando Science Center utilizing four SMA Sunny Boy 7000US solar inverters to convert the direct current (DC) electricity collected by the panels into grid-compatible alternating current (AC) electricity for use in the building.

The photovoltaic (PV) system was installed on the Science Center’s roof and is comprised of 144 high-efficiency AZUR 2P solar panels. It is expected to produce 42,250 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year.

Sunny Boy inverters were selected for the project based on their industry-leading efficiency and reliability.

“Due to the high visibility and importance of this project, we knew we needed the best available UL-listed inverters to pair with our revolutionary AZUR 2P panels,” said Philip Riddle, president and CEO

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) was created by the Florida Legislature in 1975 to serve as the state’s energy research institute. The main responsibilities of the center are to conduct research, test and certify solar systems and develop education programs.

http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/

The Stanford Solar Center is dedicated to sharing the joy and excitement of solar science exploration. Acting as the education and public outreach arm of the Solar Observatories Group, and funded by NASA, the Solar Center provides resources, activities, and projects relating to the Sun for teachers, students, and the public.

http://solar-center.stanford.edu/

The World Bank has offered Egypt a US$220 million loan to support a wind energy development project. The Clean Technology Fund has contributed US$150 million dollars in its first contribution to the Middle East and North Africa.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/news/world-bank-grants-egypt-220-million-wind-energy

Race to build best solar house opens in Madrid

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gx5QRcfU0csBHmflsqyuaD_OuBzQ

The design of the Solar Ark was inspired by the vision of an ark embarking onto a journey toward the 21st Century.

Only four columns are used to support the entire structure, thus giving the impression of floating in the air.

http://sanyo.com/solar/solarark/

Sharp began research into solar cells in 1959. Since then, solar cell technology has been improved for harsh environments such as outer space and areas with lighthouses. The world’s first solar-powered calculator went on sale in 1980. Sharp was ont the cutting edge, with their mass-production capable single-crystal solar cells convention rate in the world, at 22%. Sharp has continued to lead the times by producing a thin-film solar cell that: uses only one one-hundredth of the normal amount of silicon; can be used for windows and skylights due to its translucence; and increases conversion rates with layering and tandem and triple-junction solar cells.
Sharp also holds the world’s highest* cell conversion rate for dye-sensitized solar cells.
Sharp continues to lead the world in advances in research into and development of solar cells.

http://asia.sharp-solar.com

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Advancing the Development of Solar Building Technology for the Future

 http://www.kaust.edu.sa/research/pdf/BJ_Huang.pdf

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Presented by: Dr. Bin-Juine Huang

National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Vision

The Solar Photovoltaic Engineering Research Center will become a leading institute in renewable energy science and engineering and will provide the foundation for innovation in efficient and low-cost disruptive photovoltaic (PV) foundational technologies.

Mission

The Center’s mission is to have a direct impact not only on the science and engineering discoveries in the area of renewable energy, but also on preparing the future workforce in this exciting field. According to a recent report by the United Nations Environment Program, alternative energy employment is projected to rise noticeably in the renewable energy sector – more than eight million jobs will be created by 2030. Our mission also will involve an active engagement with local and non-local communities in the Kingdom in order to raise the awareness about benefits of alternative energy to the quality of life and economy in the Kingdom, and the world. The mission will be accomplished by adopting an aggressive

Masdar Partners with Total and Abengoa Solar
 

Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted initiative advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of renewable and alternative energy technologies and solutions, has appointed the bidding consortium of Total and Abengoa Solar as a partner to own, build and operate Shams 1, the world’s largest concentrated solar power plant and the first of its kind in the Middle East.

One of Masdar’s flagship projects, Shams 1 will directly contribute towards Abu Dhabi’s target of achieving 7% renewable energy power generation capacity by the year 2020.

The joint venture between Masdar (60%), Total (20%) and Abengoa Solar (20%) will develop, build, operate and maintain the plant which will be located in Madinat Zayed, approximately 120 kilometres southwest of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Shams 1 will be the largest concentrated solar power plant in the world, extending over an area of 2.5 km², with a capacity of approximately 100 MW