Researchers at Purdue University have created a new structure based on the opal gemstone that, if integrated into a thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solar module, could lead to more efficient panels that are 100 times cheaper than conventional solar power technology. Thin-film solar cells use considerably less silicon than conventional panels, but they’re much less efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. The Purdue team replaced silicon with a material they referred to as “inverse opal,” meaning that…

The city of Los Angeles is hoping to derive 20 percent of its electricity from rooftop solar energy by 2020. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that his administration and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) would push for the installation of 1,200 megawatts (MW) of solar generating capacity, enough to cover about a fifth of the city’s 6,000 MW of peak demand in the summer time. KCET.org reports that the initiative is…

The New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP) is a program that was brought into effect by the California Solar Initiative (CSI), the legislative bill that has had a significant impact on the growth of solar in the Golden State. In essence, NSHP provides funding and incentives for home builders to construct new houses with renewable energy installations (mainly solar) already included, as a way of encourage solar ownership. Installing solar power when a house is being constructed…

The University of California at Riverside (UCR) will soon have a 3 megawatt (MW) solar panel array on site that will provide approximately 30 percent of the university’s electricity needs. The school’s website reports that the solar panels will help the school save $4.3 million over the term of its power purchase agreement (PPA), which will last 20 years. The panels will take up about 11 acres of land next to the 60 and 215 freeways, but school…

Solar power is so prevalent in California that its residents often don’t realize that people in other parts of the country face difficulties when tying to get panels installed on their homes. You wouldn’t think it, but our nation’s capital has been somewhat  behind when it comes to providing solar options to its residents, but a few dedicated citizens have pushed for some major changes. In 2006, Anya Schoolman of Washington, D.C.’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood…

As more and more households in the Northern California region switch to solar, homeowners have a choice of which company to go with for their solar installation. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the barrage of choices, especially when you’re not exactly sure what you’re looking for. Here’s What to Look for in a Solar Installer If you’re even considering going solar, you’re probably already excited about the benefits you can expect, but it’s important that you…

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has released a new report that provides details on electricity infrastructure that was added in 2013. Solar power was the number two new source of electrical power for the year, adding 2,936 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity. Leading the way was natural gas, which added 7,270 MW. As CleanTechnica.com points out, it’s important to note that the these numbers don’t include rooftop solar systems such as the California residential solar modules that West…

The solar industry added over 23,000 jobs in 2013, representing an increase of 20 percent for the year. The Solar Foundation recently released a report on the state of solar jobs in the United States, and the results of their survey indicate that the industry continues to outpace the rest of the economy by a considerable margin. Overall, there are now 142,698 Americans working in the solar development, installation and manufacturing fields. This data was…

Are you taking advantage of modern technology in your everyday life? Maybe you’ve got the latest smartphone and drive an energy efficient car, but what about your home? If your home is still stuck in the 20th century, maybe it’s time to consider an upgrade or two. Making the switch to solar energy and investing in home automation are two of the best ways you can bring your home into the 21st century. Get a Free Nest…