Solar Energy News. Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. Photovoltaics. Photovoltaic SUDI shade is an autonomous and mobile station in France that provides energy for electric vehicles using solar energy.
Photovoltaics (PV) is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic power generation employs solar panels composed of a number of solar cells containing a photovoltaic material. Mainstream materials presently used for photovoltaics include monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium gallium selenide/sulfide.
Due to the increased demand for renewable energy sources, the manufacturing of solar cells and photovoltaic arrays has advanced considerably in recent years. Solar photovoltaics is a sustainable energy source. In 2013, its fast-growing capacity increased by 36% to a running total of 136 GW, worldwide. Energy Efficiency News. DOE Announces Nearly $170 Million in Available Funding to Advance Solar Energy Technologies. As part of the Department of Energy's SunShot Initiative, Energy Secretary Steven Chu has announced nearly $170 million in available funding over three years to support a range of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology areas.
The SunShot Initiative aims to reduce the total cost of solar energy systems by about 75 percent - to roughly $1 per watt - before the end of the decade. The research and development funding announced will support four areas of investment, including improving the efficiency and performance of solar cells; developing new installation - or balance of systems - technologies; advancing solar energy grid integration; and researching new materials and processes for solar PV technologies.