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All articles tagged with #solar energy

Scientists Unveil Rechargeable Molecule That Stores Sunlight as Heat
science14 days ago

Scientists Unveil Rechargeable Molecule That Stores Sunlight as Heat

A UC Santa Barbara team has designed a pyrimidone molecule for molecular solar thermal (MOST) storage that traps sunlight and stores it as heat in a rechargeable, recyclable system. With an energy density above 1.6 MJ/kg—higher than typical Li-ion batteries—the molecule can absorb energy, hold it, and release heat on demand, potentially circulating in solar collectors to store daytime energy for later use without a separate battery.

via The Daily Galaxy|
#energy-storage#molecular-solar-thermal-storage#pyrimidone
Shade-Driven Desert Revival: China's Massive Solar Farm Alters Microclimates
environment1 month ago

Shade-Driven Desert Revival: China's Massive Solar Farm Alters Microclimates

Researchers studying China's Qinghai Gonghe Photovoltaic Industrial Park found that shade from rows of solar panels creates cooler, moister microclimates beneath the arrays, enabling limited vegetation and slowing desert erosion; these zones score higher ecologically than surrounding desert, illustrating how large solar farms can also contribute to desert stabilization while producing renewable energy, though long‑term monitoring is ongoing.

via The Daily Galaxy|
#agrivoltaics#desert-ecology#environment
energy-and-climate1 month ago

MAGA allies push solar power to win over the GOP base

Conservative influencers Katie Miller and Kellyanne Conway are backing the American Energy First push by the American Clean Power Association to rebrand solar as a domestic, affordable energy solution for Trump voters. The campaign relies on polling, paid media partnerships, and conservative media placements to bolster solar’s standing among the GOP base and counter policy moves seen as hostile to renewables, while broader debates over subsidies and incentives continue shaping the industry’s political fortunes.

via Politico|
#american-energy-first#conservatives#energy-and-climate
Liquid Sun Battery Stores Summer Heat for Winter Use
technology1 month ago

Liquid Sun Battery Stores Summer Heat for Winter Use

Scientists at UCSB and UCLA built a liquid, solvent-free pyrimidone that absorbs sunlight, twists into a high-energy Dewar isomer, and stores energy in chemical bonds for later release as heat. In tests, it achieved an energy density of 1.65 MJ/kg—nearly twice that of typical lithium-ion batteries—and could boil water under ambient conditions, suggesting a potential closed-loop solar-heat system for winter. However, the molecule currently absorbs only UV-A/B (about 5% of solar energy) and has a low quantum yield, requiring extended sun exposure. The heat release relies on an acid catalyst, which would need a neutralization step in real systems. Despite these hurdles, with a projected long storage half-life (up to ~481 days) and no toxic solvent, the approach represents a promising step toward storing summer sunlight for cold months, though practical deployment remains years away.

via ZME Science|
#energy-storage#molecular-solar-thermal-storage#most
Bio-inspired sun battery stores solar energy as heat, outpacing lithium-ion density
science1 month ago

Bio-inspired sun battery stores solar energy as heat, outpacing lithium-ion density

UC Santa Barbara chemists report a bio-inspired pyrimidone molecule for molecular solar thermal (MOST) energy storage that captures sunlight, stores it in chemical bonds, and releases it as heat on demand. With an energy density over 1.6 MJ/kg—roughly twice that of lithium-ion batteries—the material can boil water under ambient conditions, enabling practical off-grid heating and solar-collector systems without bulky batteries. The approach functions like a rechargeable solar battery, with energy stored photochemically and released on trigger; the concept is reusable and recyclable and could transform how we store daytime sun for use later.

via futurity.org|
#energy-density#molecular-solar-thermal-energy-storage#pyrimidone
Progress roundup: preventable cancer, Africa's solar surge, and global tax momentum
world2 months ago

Progress roundup: preventable cancer, Africa's solar surge, and global tax momentum

This week’s good-news roundup highlights that more than a third of cancer cases are preventable via modifiable risk factors; Africa’s solar installations surged, aided by storage; UN discussions advanced global tax justice and climate accountability; Rafah border reopening offered a lifeline for medical evacuations with restrictions; and other stories spotlight China’s green-tech-led growth and supportive UK initiatives in education, healthcare access, and local investment.

via Positive News|
#cancer-prevention#clean-energy-economy#global-tax-justice
Top Tesla Powerwall Alternatives to Consider
technology3 months ago

Top Tesla Powerwall Alternatives to Consider

Due to recent safety recalls and Elon Musk's political controversies, consumers are encouraged to consider alternative home battery solutions such as Bluetti EP800, Briggs & Stratton SimpliPHI, EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X, EG4 PowerPro, Enphase IQ Battery, Franklin aPower 2, GM Energy Home System, Sigenergy V2X, StorEn vanadium flow, and Villara VillaGrid+ for more reliable and diverse energy storage options.

via Electrek|
#battery-alternatives#energy-storage#home-batteries
India's Solar Boom Faces Hidden Waste Challenge
environment3 months ago

India's Solar Boom Faces Hidden Waste Challenge

India's rapid solar energy expansion has significantly reduced reliance on coal, but the lack of a comprehensive plan for managing solar panel waste poses environmental risks, with projections indicating a substantial increase in waste over the next decades. Developing dedicated recycling infrastructure and regulations is crucial to prevent environmental harm and sustain the country's renewable energy progress.

via BBC|
#environment#india#recycling