Sharp achieves solar cell efficiency record of 43.5%

Sharp Corp. announced it has achieved the world's highest solar cell conversion efficiency of 43.5 per cent using a concentrator triple-junction compound solar cell.

Sharp said the basic structure of this latest triple-junction compound solar cell uses the company's technology that enables efficient stacking of the threephoto-absorption layers, with InGaAs (indium gallium arsenide) as the bottom layer.

These solar cells are used in a lens-based concentrator system that focuses sunlight on the cells to generate electricity.

Sharp successfully capitalized on the ability of this cell to efficiently convert sunlight collected via three photo-absorption layers into electricity, and also optimised the spacing between electrodes on the surface of the concentrator cell and minimised the cell's electrical resistance, the company said.

The measurement of the world's highest concentrating conversion efficiency (43.5 per cent) was confirmed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Germany.

Compound solar cells have been used primarily on space satellites due to their high conversion efficiency. However, the company aims to apply this latest development success into concentrator photovoltaic power systems that can generate electricity using small-surface-area solar cells and make them practical for terrestrial use.Sharp achieves solar cell efficiency record of 43.5%

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Great News for Windows with R30+Attributes

Light 12-Glazed Window on the Horizon

By Preston on May. 31, 2012

In the USA, most windows are probably single- or double-glazed and some builders will use triple-glazed windows for Passive House and other high-performance homes.  But in Hanover, Germany, a 12-glazed window prototype by Mariusz Paszkowski and Antoni Kostka was the star of the recent International Passive House Conference, according toDer Standard.  Check out these windows with aerogel!

The two scientists, in conjunction with SUPERWINDOWS, showcased INVIS160stackand INVIS160tweed, and both of the prototypes are about 160 mm thick, though they weigh no more than a double- or triple-glazed window unit.

INVIS160stack (above) is an insulated glass unit with two external glass panes that sandwich 10 layers of specially coated film without materially compromising visibility.  The inventive window makes it possible to achieve European U-values of 0.15 W/m²K, or the U.S. equivalent of R38 (R = 1/(.15/5.678)).

INVIS160tweed (below) is similar to INVIS160stack except that what’s sandwiched between two glass panes is several layers or sheets inclined at a 45-degree angle (as opposed to parallel to the external panes).  This approach makes it possible to achieve European U-values of 0.05 W/m²K, or the U.S. equivalent of R113 (R = 1/(.05/5.678)).

Of course, there’s a lot of work and investment to be done before these are suitable for commercial production, so there’s no pricing or availability yet.  But watch this space for window innovation.

[+] More about SUPERWINDOWS in development in Cracow, Poland.

Credits: SUPERWINDOWS.

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Article tags: international, SUPERWINDOWS, window

Light 12-Glazed Window on the Horizon




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Infographic: Home gardening in the U.S. | MNN - Mother Nature Network

As more and more Americans grow their own fruits and vegetables, MNN digs up some dirt on this DIY food revolution.

Infographic: Home gardening in the U.S. | MNN - Mother Nature Network

Mon, Jun 06 2011 at 10:55 AM EST

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Also on MNN:

• A guide for the first-time gardener
• Easy vegetables to grow
• How to protect urban gardens from air pollution
• 5 delicious garden-to-table recipes
• See more MNN infographics

 Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotty for any Home Improvement Projects or Energy Reducing Needs and Scotty, Scotts Contracting will respond ASAP. Company Web Address: http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

How Much and Where From-Dirty-OIL

How much petroleum does the United States import and from where?

The U.S. imported approximately 11.4 million barrels per day of petroleum in 2011 from about 80 countries. This accounted for 45% of the petroleum consumed in the United States, the lowest annual average since 1995.

"Petroleum" includes crude oil and refined petroleum products like gasoline and biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. In 2011, about 79% of gross petroleum imports were crude oil, and about 60% of the crude oil processed in U.S. refineries was imported.

The top five source countries of U.S. petroleum imports in 2011, were Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and Nigeria. Their respective rankings vary depending on whether you consider total/gross petroleum imports or net petroleum imports (gross imports minus exports).  Net imports from OPEC countries accounted for 52% of U.S. net imports.

 

Top Sources of Imported Petroleum to the United States in 2011 In Million Barrels per Day (and Percent Share of Total Imports)
Import Sources	Gross Imports	Exports to Import Source	Net Imports
Total, All Countries	11.360	2.924	8.436
OPEC Countries	4.534 (40%)	0.126	4.408 (52%)
Persian Gulf Countries	1.862 (16%)	0.019	1.843 (22%)
Top Five Countries
Canada	2.706 (24%)	0.295	2.411 (29%)
Mexico	1.205 (11%)	0.569	0.636 (8%)
Saudi Arabia	1.195  (11%)	0.002	1.193 (14%)
Venezuela	0.944  (8%)	0.032	0.912  (11%)
Nigeria	0.817 (7%)	0.015	0.802 (10%)

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