According to PV manufacturers Sharp, it has achieved the world’s highest solar cell conversion efficiency of 43.5 per cent using a concentrator triple-junction compound solar cell.
Panasonic Eco Solutions Energy Management Europe (PESEMEU) has announced the release of a new black back sheet solar module designed for domestic properties.
British firm Crosskase has combined backpack and solar technology to develop the Solar 15 backpack – a versatile accessory which the company says is ideal for those who can’t live without their essential gadgets and need them to stay charged and protected away from the home or office.
Key Features of the Crosskase Solar 15 backpack:
* Integrated 3 Watt solar panel on the front of the bag soaks up natural light and stores the energy generated inside the internal battery.
* High capacity battery can charge most handheld devices on-the-go (phones, music players, GPS, pocket consoles)
* Speedy 2 hour charge time for many devices i.e. iPhone 4, iPod nano 6G, Samsung Galaxy, HTC, Nokia N95, Blackberry Curve.
* Stores enough power to charge most devices twice over and can be used again and again, as the battery will recharge from:
* Solar power (8 hours)
* Mains power (3 hours)
* USB power connection (4 hours)
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) will be presenting Retrofit Solutions for Non-Domestic Buildings 2012 conference in September which, it says, will bring together the retrofit supply chain to overcome some of the challenges associated with retrofitting the buildings in which we work.
The government’s energy and climate change minister, Greg Barker has praised Plumb Center’s intention to become one of the UK’s Green Deal providers.
Energy minister Greg Barker, called for more community-funded solar projects across the country as he visited one of the first schools in the UK to generate its energy from a community-funded solar project.
Climate change minister Greg Barker has today announced a number of measures which pave the way for Green Deal’s planned launch in October.
Ombudsman Services has been appointed by the Department Of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to handle complaints about this scheme. Chief ombudsman Lewis Shand Smith said: “The Green Deal is a new concept to householders. Consumers taking up the Green Deal can be confident that if something goes wrong they will have easy access to independent and effective redress. We already provide the ombudsman service for the energy (supply and network) industry and its customers, to it makes sense for complaints about Green Deal providers to come to us. We’re looking forward to working with DECC on the details of the scheme.”
• Gemserv wins contract for oversight of Green Deal
• Ombudsman Services Ltd to act as the Ombudsman and Investigation service for Green Deal
DECC has today announced two appointments to help ensure robust management of the Green Deal programme.
PV installers Cleaner Air Solutions have put together a new PV training course in association with Renewable Energy Academy.
Global PV manufacturer Trina Solar has announced a collaboration with Germany-based E3/DC to develop next generation energy storage solutions for homes and small businesses.
Canadian Solar has successfully launched its Authorised Reseller Programme in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region.
Reports have surfaced that Sharp Solar is set to move its German HQ to its existing manufacturing site in Wrexham handing the UK PV sector a welcome boost.
UK solar mounting manufacturers REDtip has launched a stainless steel roof anchor it says is purpose-designed for UK roofs.
Phono Solar has launched its latest product – the Enercube – which it describes as a new residential energy storage and management solution.
China’s inaugural Ecobuild exhibition has been hailed as a success by its organisers having attracted more than 15,000 visitors between 9 – 12 April.
Loughborough-based small wind turbine manufacturer Evance and Japanese wind manufacturers Zephyr have joined forces to provide complimentary products across Europe and Asia.
GB-Sol has announced that its roof-integrated mounting system, which already meets MCS’s new MCS012 standard, has been used to develop testing systems designed to ensure that PV roof kits are completely watertight.
PV manufacturer Canadian Solar has supplied modules to a German research and testing facility to measure the designed efficiency increases of its ELPS technology.
Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) has launched what it says is the first commercially-available multicrystalline product based on cells with backside passivation technology.
Azur Solar has been awarded the Plus X Award for “Best Product of the Year 2012” and “Most Innovative Brand of the Year 2012” for its product the Azur Independa.
Ploughcroft has marked receiving Cskills accreditation with a special event at Eco Roof Visitor Centre/training facility in Brighouse, Yorkshire.
4eco Ltd has designed and manufactured the ImmerSUN – designed to heat water from PV and wind systems.
Mechatron has launched two new solar tracker systems which, it claims, increases the energy yield of modules by 40 per cent.