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National Renewable Energy Laboratory Aims to Slash Cost of Solar Cells

Solar-powered electricity prices could soon approach those of power from coal or natural gas thanks to collaborative research with solar start-up Ampulse Corporation at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) ) National Renewable Energy Laboratory  (NREL).

 


Global Investments in Green Energy Up Nearly a Third to US$211 billion

Wind farms in China and small-scale solar panels on rooftops in Europe were largely responsible for last year’s 32% rise in green energy investments worldwide, according to the latest annual report on renewable energy investment trends issued by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).


New Map Shows Solar Electricity Potential of European Regions

A new map published by the European Commission shows the photovoltaic solar energy potential of different parts of Europe. Photovoltaic Solar Cells convert sunlight directly into electricity.


Concentrating Solar Power Plant in Spain and Powerful Solar Power Plant in Portugal Combat Climate Change

The first commercial scale concentrating solar power (CSP) plant in Europe was inaugurated in the Southern Spanish city of Seville in March 2007.


UNEP’s India Solar Loan Programme Wins Energy Globe

After helping more than 100,000 people in 18,000 Indian households finance clean energy from their PV solar electric home systems, the United Nations Environment Programme’s Indian Solar Loan Programme has been honoured with a prestigious Energy Globe.


United Nations Refugee Agency and Dutch Fundraising Agency Help Bhutanese Refugees In Nepal Shift To Solar Power

In an unusual partnership announced on February 3, 2006, the United Nations refugee agency has linked up with a Dutch fundraising agency to help Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal move to clean energy through solar power.


Photovoltaics for Household and Community Use

The Government of Zimbabwe views electricity as a critical factor in increasing literacy, slow rural-urban migration, and improving the overall quality of life for the country’s rural population of nearly 8 million people who are without access to grid-supplied electricity. Should Zimbabwe resort to its vast reserves of coal for electrical power generation (estimated at 30 billion tons, of which 2 billion tons are exploitable), serious global environmental problems would result. However, small-scale solar electric generation technology is now reliable, inexpensive, and available form a variety of manufacturers worldwide. This technology holds great promise as an alternative to power generation systems that burn fossil fuels and produce greenhouse gases linked to climate change.


Rural Solar Energy Development in Kordofan State

The Rural Solar Energy Development Project (RSED) is a direct offshoot of the Area Development Scheme Kordofan (ADS)and was developed as a means of catalyzing renewable energy technology distribution, implementation and commercialization. The goal of RESD is to provide viable solar energy technology to satisfy basic energy needs of rural communities both domestically and publicly; develop a private sector infrastructure for installation and maintenance to support communities; and, institute measures to promote a more favorable climate for market growth.


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