The map at the right – link to full size below – shows ” LINK … the current state of renewable energy in America … a large portion of the country is still dragging their feet in adopting more environmentally friendly means of generating electricity. …”

Pennsylvania ranks 15th
New Jersey ranks 43 rd.

Check out the stats for your state.

Portable solar photovoltaics research into extreme conditions

Industry-academia collaboration results in investment in research through Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which will pursue solar performance under extreme conditions. Remember, DARPA research investments usually translate intosignificant commercial improvements in technology. Ascent Solar has the lead position on this research project, the Flexible High-performance Tandem-junction PV Array. …

… “The significance of the Low-Cost Lightweight Portable Photovoltaics (PoP) is that it will take thin-film, flexible copper-indium-deselenide based solar cells to the next level of performance in order to meet DARPA’s requirements and will accelerate the implementation of thin-film flexible solar cells to commercial and residential markets, said Robert Birkmire, IEC director. “ …

Via University of Delaware: Extreme Solar.

Ascent Solar leads the Flexible High-performance Solar Array project, which will be managed through three gated phases, the first of which is 18 months and has an approximate contract value of $3.8M. The research program is expected to be implemented over the next 54 months. The research goal is to demonstrate low-cost, lightweight photovoltaic power generation that can stand up to extreme conditions and realize power conversion efficiency of 20% or greater by the completion of the program. Ascent release.

Green chemistry targets propylene oxide

Dow Chemical and BASF collaborate to develop efficient process for propylene oxide production and receive Presidential Green Chemistry Award for their efforts. The two companies are strong competitors, yet have joined forces to reduce waste and energy in the synthesis of this key chemical building block. …

… “The Dow-BASF innovation offers distinct economic and environmental benefits when compared to conventional propylene oxide (PO) process technologies.

A joint study conducted by the two companies in 2007 using BASF’s Eco-Efficiency Analysis tool revealed the new HPPO process reduces wastewater by 70 to 80 percent and energy use by approximately 35 percent, compared with existing PO technology.

HPPO technology is also more environmentally friendly because no by-products are produced besides water.

In addition, PO plants using the HPPO technology require up to 25 percent less capital to build than conventional technologies, as they have reduced infrastructure, a smaller physical footprint and simpler raw materials integration.

The two companies successfully started up the first commercial-scale HPPO production plant in 2008 at BASF’s Antwerp, Belgium, facility.

SCG-Dow Group is building a second plant based on this technology, which is scheduled to begin production in Map Ta Phut, Thailand, in 2011. ”

How Solar (photovoltaics) Works

In this illustration of solar energy systems, you can see exactly how the sun’s energy is converted into electricity that is usable by your home or business. Follow the path of energy from the sun, through the pv panels, its conversion to AC electricity by the inverter and finally into the utility grid. Take a look for a detailed explanation of solar energy.

http://www.greentechnolog.com/