Solar power http://www.solardaily.com/reports/Japanese_car_wins_World_Solar_Challenge_in_Australia_999.html http://www.solardaily.com/reports/Sharp_Develops_Solar_Cell_With_World_Highest_Conversion_Efficiency_999.html 20110419 http://michigantoday.umich.edu/2011/04/story.php?id=7980&tr=y&auid=8154157 'We've all been taught that this doesn't happen' by Nicole Casal Moore April 13, 2011 A dramatic and surprising magnetic effect of light discovered by University of Michigan researchers could lead to solar power without traditional semiconductor-based solar cells. 20110509 http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/2011/05/solar-fire/ Solar Fire Breakthrough http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXJgAmft2jI&feature=player_embedded 20111206 http://notrickszone.com/2011/07/04/weed-covered-solar-park-20-acres-11-million-only-one-and-half-years-old/ 20120417 http://www.reddit.com/r/science/comments/scaw4/scientists_have_developed_a_molecular_catalyser/ http://phys.org/news/2012-04-molecular-catalyser.html Scientists have developed a molecular catalyser with the ability to quickly oxidise water to oxygen. The results are a significant contribution to the future use of solar energy and other renewable energy sources, especially since gasoline prices continue to soar. 20130104 http://www.techfragments.com/1944/multijunction-solar-cell-sets-world-record-for-efficiency/ The three-layered cell, dubbed the SJ3, converted 43.5% of the energy in sunlight into electrical energy. 20130412 http://news.stanford.edu/news/2013/april/fan-solar-cooling-041513.html Stanford scientists develop new type of solar structure that cools buildings in full sunlight A Stanford team has designed an entirely new form of cooling panel that works even when the sun is shining. Such a panel could vastly improve the daylight cooling of buildings, cars and other structures by radiating sunlight back into the chilly vacuum of space. 20130602 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/29/business/energy-environment/solar-powers-dark-side.html?_r=0 Solar Industry Anxious Over Defective Panels 20140303 http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/mar/02/perovskite-lightbulb-moment-abundant-solar-power-britain The perovskite lightbulb moment for solar power https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7330511 20141209 http://www.blacklistednews.com/In_world_first%2C_researchers_convert_sunlight_to_electricity_with_over_40_percent_efficiency/39751/0/38/38/Y/M.html http://www.clca.columbia.edu/236_PE_Magazine_Fthenakis_2_10_12.pdf How Long Does it Take for Photovoltaics To Produce the Energy Used? 20150303 http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/03/02/test-at-tonopah-solar-project-ignites-hundreds-of-birds-in-mid-air/ 20160522 http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/infrastructure/a20972/worlds-largest-solar-plant-sets-itself-on-fire/ World's Largest Solar Plant Sets Itself on Fire Improperly aligned mirrors redirected the sun's rays at the wrong spot. --> http://www.eevblog.com/forum/renewable-energy/world's-largest-solar-plant-sets-itself-on-fire/ 20181222 http://joannenova.com.au/2018/12/sydney-hail-storm-just-how-hailproof-are-those-solar-panels/ 20190107 via Jim Stone New type of solar cell hits 40.7 percent efficiency It does not require exotic materials and is as robust and long life as normal polycrystalline cells. It was developed by Boeing and hit testing in December. The results are now in, See this http://www.worldwatch.org/node/4803 http://www.energy.gov/news/4503.htm (not found, but see https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/multijunction-iii-v-photovoltaics-research I was always skeptical of Perovskite cells that have been around a long time and never hit the market. This new development is an enhancement of old and proven tech. We'll probably actually see it happen, and due to the success of this attempt (and how easily it happened, ) Boeing is predicting that it is actually a lot better than we think right now and that much higher efficiencies can be achieved. If this tech takes off it will definitely make solar powered cars both possible and practical. For example: Recently I posted a report from a Tesla owner who methodically logged the power consumption on his model 3. It requires 230 watt hours per mile. If this new solar tech goes mainstream and hits 50 percent efficiency, all it would take is for a similar Tesla to have a roof panel 9 feet long and 5 feet wide, and a parking space in the sun to allow it to be driven more than 60 miles a day without ever being plugged in at all. That size of panel would be very easy to put on a car, especially if it was designed for it from the get go. That's 21, 000 miles per year, a lot more than most Americans drive. And my calculation is significantly downgraded to six hours of direct sun per day. I quite frankly would take a viable solar powered car over a gasoline powered car any day, if it had a substantial enough battery to take the surplus power from the not driven much days and let me go on a 350 mile drive whenever I wanted, plus be re-chargeable when needed. Gasoline would become a burden at that point. I'd say the biggest threat to that quality of "free energy" is probably the carbon tax. 20190821 http://joannenova.com.au/2019/08/walmart-asks-telsa-to-remove-solar-panels-from-240-stores-and-pay-damages-after-7-fire/ 20190913 https://www.naturalnews.com/2019-09-11-tesla-solar-panels-explode-elon-musk.html 20190924 https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/solarcity-panels-spontaneously-ignite-colorado-residential-rooftop 20230630 https://joannenova.com.au/2023/06/5-megawatt-solar-plant-destroyed-by-hail/ 20240326 https://patriots.win/p/17siJOOiTY/breaking--hail-storm-in-damon-te/c/ BREAKING: Hail storm in Damon texas on 3/24/24 destroys 1,000’s of acres of solar farms 20240505 https://patriots.win/p/17t1fUAQRG/storm-damages-worlds-largest-flo/c/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUgQWoa_Oco Storm Damages World's Biggest Floating Solar Plant In Madhya Pradesh Apr 16, 2024 The Omkareshwar 600MW floating Solar Power Plant, faces significant challenges during construction. Yesterday this plant was damaged due to heavy rains and storms. Insurance risk covers for floating solar power plants are crucial, especially during construction and operation, due to their high exposure to environmental hazards such as severe weather, water damage, and operational challenges. These covers provide financial security against unforeseen damages, ensuring project viability and continuity. They mitigate financial risks, allowing for recovery and repair without crippling financial losses, thus safeguarding investments and ensuring the project's long-term success. Floating Solar Power plant Omkareshwar dam on Narmada River, Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. The world's largest floating 600 MW solar energy project to be constructed at Omkareshwar dam on Narmada river in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh. The estimated investment in this project stands at Rs 3,000 crore. The International Finance Corporation IFC, World Bank and Power Grid have granted in-principle consent for providing aid for this project development. The primary feasibility study of the project has been completed in collaboration with the World Bank. Electricity will be produced in about 2000-hectare water area by installing solar panels in the dam. Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company has agreed to purchase 400 MW power from the project.