Articles tagged with "solar-panels"
If They Can Put Solar Power Here, They Can Put It Anywhere
The Port Newark Container Terminal in New Jersey has successfully integrated a 7.2 megawatt solar power plant within its busy 320-acre shipping hub without disrupting operations or occupying valuable space. This was achieved through innovative engineering by Standard Solar, which installed elevated solar canopies over active roadways and parking lots, along with rooftop panels, to maximize energy generation while preserving critical logistics functions. The solar installation now supplies about half of the terminal’s annual electricity demand, reducing emissions by 50% and contributing to cleaner air for workers and surrounding communities. This project exemplifies how solar power can be adapted to complex, space-constrained industrial environments, particularly ports that face challenges such as soft soil, high water tables, and flooding. Funded through a power purchase agreement, the system required no upfront costs for the port and includes ongoing maintenance by Standard Solar. The initiative aligns with broader efforts led by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act, aimed at reducing pollution at
energysolar-powerrenewable-energyclean-energysolar-panelssustainabilityport-operations10x efficient solar robot to build farms faster in Australia
Luminous Robotics Inc., a Boston-based company, has developed an AI-powered robot named LUMI designed to automate and significantly speed up solar panel installation. Backed by $4.9 million in funding from the Australian government’s $100 million Solar Scaleup Challenge, the LUMI robot will be deployed at two large-scale Australian solar farms: the 440MW Neoen Culcairn Solar Farm in New South Wales and the 250MW Engie Goorambat East Solar Farm in Victoria. The robot autonomously picks up and places 80-lb solar panels onto racks, enabling onsite workers to complete the securing process more quickly and safely. This technology aims to reduce manual labor, improve installation speed by up to 3.5 times, and lower costs. The deployment of a full fleet of five LUMI robots in Australia marks the first global large-scale use of this technology, with potential cost reductions on solar farm construction estimated at up to 6.2%. ARE
robotsolar-energyautomationrenewable-energyAIsolar-panelsconstruction-technologyUS Space Force gives retractable Light Wing solar panels funding boost
The US Space Force has awarded $2 million in funding to Atomic-6, a Marietta, Georgia-based startup, to develop its innovative “Light Wing” retractable solar arrays for military satellite applications. These solar panels can fold and unfold repeatedly, enabling satellites to adapt their configurations during different mission phases. A key feature of the Light Wing technology is its patented “space mast” and “space hinge” mechanism, which allows rapid stowing and redeployment of solar panels. This capability is especially valuable in crowded orbital environments, as satellites can retract their arrays to avoid collisions with debris or other spacecraft and then redeploy them once in safer orbits. Atomic-6, founded in 2018 and advised by notable figures such as astronaut Chris Hadfield, specializes in high-performance composite materials designed for extreme space conditions. The company has previously received multiple Department of Defense and NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards, including a $3.8 million contract to develop “Space Armor” tiles that
energysolar-panelsspace-technologycomposite-materialssatellite-technologyUS-Space-Forceorbital-debris-mitigationSierra Space's new tech center to produce solar panels for satellites and defense
Sierra Space has inaugurated a $45 million Power Station facility in Broomfield, Colorado, to scale up manufacturing of its Surface Mount Technology (SMT) solar arrays designed for satellites and defense applications. The 70,000-square-foot center uses commercial pick-and-place electronics technology to produce compact, resilient solar panels that range in power from 10 watts to 10 kilowatts. Equipped with integrated testing capabilities such as thermal vacuum chambers and dynamics labs, the facility can build one solar panel per day and one satellite wing per week, aiming to deliver 40 satellite wings initially and ramp up to 100 annually. The new Power Station supports Sierra Space’s Defense division, which focuses on supplying power systems for government satellites, including those manufactured at its Victory Works facility. The company emphasizes that its solar arrays are more durable due to their unique architecture and are tailored to meet the demands of increasingly crowded and complex space missions requiring efficient, lightweight power solutions. With about 100 employees currently and plans for expansion
energysolar-panelssatellite-technologyspace-defensemanufacturingscalable-power-systemsprinted-circuit-boardsSingapore's Rooftop Solar Ambitions Are Expanding - CleanTechnica
Singapore is aggressively expanding its rooftop solar capacity through the SolarNova program, launched in 2014 by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and the Economic Development Board (EDB). Due to limited land availability, the initiative focuses on installing solar panels on public housing rooftops and government buildings. Singapore receives about 2,064 hours of sunlight annually, enabling effective solar energy capture. SolarNova aims to significantly boost the nation’s solar capacity, feeding clean energy directly into the national grid to diversify energy sources, reduce reliance on imported natural gas, and enhance energy security. The program collaborates with research institutions like the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) and private companies such as EDP Renewables (EDPR), which acquired local solar startup Sunseap. In February 2024, EDPR took over Phase 8 of SolarNova, targeting the installation of solar panels on 1,075 public housing blocks and 101 government buildings by 2027, producing 200
energysolar-energyrenewable-energysolar-panelsclean-energyenergy-securitysustainabilityEcoFlow’s Early Prime Day Sale Is Live: Huge Deals On Portable Power Stations - CleanTechnica
EcoFlow has launched its Early Prime Day Sale from June 23 to July 7 on its website, with deals continuing through July 18 on Amazon. The sale features significant discounts on a range of portable power stations and accessories, ideal for emergency backup, off-grid living, camping, and home use. Key products on sale include the DELTA 2 ($599, down from $999), DELTA 2 Max ($999 standalone or $1,349 with a solar panel), and the high-capacity DELTA Pro series, with prices starting at $1,799 for the standalone DELTA Pro and bundled options including solar panels and Smart Home Panels. The compact RIVER series also sees discounts starting at $349, while the WAVE 3 portable air conditioner and related accessories are available at reduced prices. Shoppers are advised to act early to secure the best deals, especially on popular models that may sell out quickly. Bundled packages often provide better value, including solar panels, chargers,
energyportable-power-stationssolar-panelsbackup-poweroff-grid-energyclean-energyEcoFlowAptera Banks On Solar Panels For Free EV Battery Charging
Aptera Motors, a US startup, is advancing the integration of body-embedded solar panels into electric vehicles (EVs) with the goal of enabling free battery charging through solar energy. Unlike many automakers that limit solar panels to roofs, Aptera aims to cover the entire vehicle with flexible, lightweight solar cells that extend battery range significantly. This approach could allow drivers to complete daily errands without needing to plug in, potentially offsetting the rising costs of electricity and justifying the upfront expense of the solar technology. Aptera’s design focuses on a highly aerodynamic, fully enclosed three-wheeled vehicle that combines efficiency with practicality for commuting and errands. The company, which rebooted in 2020 after initial struggles since its 2006 founding, is preparing to unveil its Launch Edition model on June 27. This production-ready EV will feature all expected systems, including climate control, infotainment, vision systems, and full solar integration. Aptera has partnered with Tianma, a leading automotive display supplier
energysolar-panelselectric-vehiclesbattery-chargingAptera-Motorsrenewable-energyautomotive-technology140 Homes In South LA Will Receive Free Solar Power & Energy Upgrades - CleanTechnica
GRID Alternatives, a renewable energy nonprofit, is providing free solar power systems and energy upgrades to 140 homeowners in South Los Angeles as part of the South LA Eco-lab program. Eligible households—those living in specified zip codes (90037, 90044, 90062, 90043, 90002, 90047, 90011) with up to four members earning no more than $120,000 annually—can receive solar panel installations sized up to 5 kW based on their energy usage and roof size. Additional free upgrades include cool roofs (available for 84 projects) and service panel upgrades for all participants. Community interest in solar power and energy efficiency is high, with residents eager to learn about how the systems work, their funding, and the associated cost savings. Recipients of the free solar installations often become advocates for clean energy, spreading awareness and encouraging neighbors and family members to consider solar power. The program also includes community engagement efforts such as fruit tree giveaways
energysolar-powerrenewable-energyhome-energy-upgradessolar-panelsclean-energyGRID-AlternativesSolar Panels Give Edge to Tomatoes Grown Underneath - CleanTechnica
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) conducted experiments to determine if tomatoes grown under specially designed light filters would perform better than those grown under full sunlight. These filters, based on organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology, selectively transmit only the light spectrum most beneficial to the plants while potentially converting unused light into electricity. In a controlled study, tomato plants grown under these purplish BioMatched panels grew faster and larger than those exposed to the full solar spectrum, demonstrating that tailoring light exposure to a plant’s physiological needs can enhance growth. This project, part of the multi-disciplinary “No Photon Left Behind” initiative, builds on earlier successful experiments with algae, where BioMatched filters also increased growth rates despite reducing overall light exposure. The algae research showed higher efficiency in converting photons to biomass, encouraging researchers to test similar approaches with crops. While the current OPV filters used in the experiments do not generate electricity, the ultimate aim is to integrate BioMatched materials into
energysolar-panelsphotovoltaic-cellsorganic-semiconductorsplant-growthbioenergyrenewable-energyThis Chinese Spacecraft Is Traveling to One of Earth’s Quasi-Moons
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has released the first image from its Tianwen-2 probe, currently over 3 million kilometers from Earth and en route to Kamo’oalewa, a near-Earth quasi-moon asteroid. Launched on May 29, 2023, Tianwen-2 aims to study Kamo’oalewa from a distance before landing on its surface in July 2026 to collect samples. After returning these samples to Earth, the spacecraft plans to use Earth’s gravity to slingshot toward another asteroid, 311P/PanSTARRS. The mission faces challenges such as landing on the asteroid’s low-gravity surface and will provide valuable data on the composition of rocky celestial bodies. Kamo’oalewa is one of seven known quasi-moons of Earth—asteroids that orbit the sun in a path similar to Earth’s but are not gravitationally bound to our planet. Discovered in 2016 near Hawaii, it is about
energyspace-explorationsolar-panelsspacecraftasteroid-samplingTianwen-2quasi-moonTexas Welcomes More Solar Factories Despite Anti-Solar Bills
solarenergysolar-factoriesrenewable-energyTexassolar-panelsenergy-storageIs Xi Jinping Controlling Chinese Made Solar Panels In The US?
solar-panelsrenewable-energyIoTcommunication-deviceselectric-vehiclesover-the-air-updatesclean-technologyRooftop Solar Is Winning (Trump Is Losing)
rooftop-solarclean-energysolar-panelsenergy-storagesolar-as-a-serviceenergy-incentivesrenewable-energy31 đội tranh tài tại chung kết Sáng kiến Khoa học 2025
energyrecyclingsolar-panelsinnovationsustainabilityenvironmental-protectionbiomassWhy Balcony Solar Panels Haven’t Taken Off in the US
solar-panelsrenewable-energyenergy-efficiencyelectricity-generationbalcony-solarclean-energysolar-technology