Eco Trees

Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy (NREL) have announced a new world record, obtaining a value of 40.8% for solar cell efficiency. This was possible with a photovoltaic device that transforms 40.8% percent of the light that hits it into electricity.

The new solar cell was designed, manufactured and measured at the NREL headquarters and represents a natural candidate for space satellite market and for terrestrial concentrated photovoltaic arrays which use lenses or mirrors to focus sunlight onto solar cells.

The new solar cell differs significantly from the previous record holder by it's composition that makes the sun to be absorbed more easily, thus becoming more efficient. The properties of the new semiconductor material have a greater potential to convert the sun light into electricity.

The previous record was a percentage of 31.25% net efficiency.

A system based on the the tidal energy will be tested in Scotland. Some underwater turbines that will capture the wave's energy to generate electricity will be located in three places. The company ScottishPower Renewables has identified the Pentland Firth sites, Sound of Islay and the north coast of Antrim town as the most suitable for underwater turbines.

Each place will have between 5 and 20 turbines of 1 megawatt which could lead to a combined capacity of 60 megawatts enough to supply electricity to 40,000 homes.

In these three places will be used Lànstrøm turbine, which it says that it is the most advanced from the world. after it was tested for three years. This is described as an underwater wind turbine, but with shorter propellers, which rotated at a less speed.

Unlike wind, tides are completely predictable, and the operators soon will know how much energy will generate these turbines. Scottish government is a convinced supporter of waves energy and tidal energy and believe that Scotland can become a world leader in this technology.

Wave energy is a source completely renewable and can play a very important role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions from Britain.

In our days more and more people use solar energy and this is a good thing because in this way they help the planet, but on the other hand sun's rays can hurt because it affect our eyes. While looking for some information on the internet I founded a very interesting site.

In this site you can find and buy environment-friendly glasses. Pinhole glasses are effective and helpful in restoring vision for a number of eye disorders like myopia, hyperopia, cataract and astiqmatism. It is also useful over all distances. Whether it is for working on computer, for reading or for watching TV.

Pinhole glasses are highly effective, quality tools and are made with laser technology. May people have reported immediate benefits on wearing them.

Some Indications

In Pinhole glasses, holes of 1-1.5mm are spaced regularly using laser technology. They may not be suitable for use in some instances.

Wearing pinholes affect your peripheral vision. They should not be used when you are driving or while moving about. It reduces the amount of light entering your eyes. Therefore, it cannot be used in environments having dim light. Wearing pinhole glasses does not prevent harmful UV rays from entering the eyes. So, do not use them to view the sun. It is also not useful for people measured as requiring lens of more than 6 diopters. Other eye problems like diffraction will prevent them from experiencing any significant benefits upon wearing pinholes.

Very surprising is the fact that the Pinhole glasses are very cheap in comparison with other glasses that are expensive, producing more harm than good. The price for one pair is just $14.52 (free shipping). They are much cheaper that your prescription eyeglasses.

Unlike prescription eyeglasses, are a one-time investment. It saves your trouble and the money you would otherwise spend on changing your eyeglasses every now and then.
Another important thing is that these glasses are made form organic material, so they are natural.

So, if you want to buy Pinhole glasses please visit the site.

With a coverage of 242,000 square feet and composed of 10,417 solar modules, Toyota’s single-roof solar installation has become the largest in North America. The solar power system was installed on rooftop at the North America Parts Center manufacturing plant in California. With a total capacity of 2.3 megawatts, the installation will help generate 60% of the energy needs of the entire unit.

The system was designed and built by SunPower, using high-efficiency panels with the capacity of delivering 50% more “green” power per unit than conventional panels.

Toyota’s project is an important and a long step forward in the field of green energy. The solar single-roof not only does it provide clean energy, but would also avoid carbon dioxide emissions by 6.4 million pounds annually.Although the initial costs are really high, we can proudly say that we can take a deep breath!

Chrysler presented three electric vehicles that will be available on the United States market since 2010. Was presented the electric versions of the models Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge EV.

These three cars have the same technology, which consists of an electric motor and an advanced lithium-ion batteries, all controlled by a device that operates energy from the system. Due to this technology the vehicle have zero emissions and autonomy between 240 and 320 kilometers.

The electric engine of the Dodge EV hybrid model develop 200 kilowatts, about 268 HP. The battery loading can be made from a standard outlet, with which the vehicle can be charged partially in four hours or fully in eight hours, giving an autonomy of around 320 km.

The electric Jeep Wrangler will be propelled by the same engine of 268 HP, but will receive a gas engine of smaller capacity.

The Chrysler electric vehicle based on Town & Country owns an electric engine something less efficient, giving it 255 HP. It will traverse about 640 km with only 30 liters of fuel.

Portugal has launched the first water power generator that uses only the wave motion. At a distance of five kilometers from the coasts of Portugal was installed a device named Pelamis, that floats to the surface of the sea, sending the power produced to the Agucadoura beach, at north of the Porto city .

The launching to the water was delayed by a year after it was discovered a problem at the plant's underwater connections. The plant is composed of four long sections with three power modules coupled together. While sections are involved of the wave force, these operate components of modules that function like the pistons. The force generated is enough for the generators of the modules to produce energy. The plant is anchored by sections made of foam that float to 15-20 meters below the sea surface. These were the reason for the delay of putting the generator into function.

A "farm" of 40 such generators can feed more than 20,000 households. The engineers are delighted by the project's success and two other such generators are planned to be installed soon. The three generators can feed 1,500 households, other 25 were ordered by the Portuguese authorities.

The Pelamis company wants to build similar projects for Norvergia, Spain, France, North America and Africa.

A bicycle that works with solar energy was invented as a new transportation. The solar bicycle works as an ordinary bike with pedals, but this bicycle has a canopy lined with solar cells overhead. Once the user pedal on a sunny weather, the rays charge up a battery that powers a small electric motor positioned on the back wheel.

Bicycle was invented by designer Miroslav Miljevic. 'I designed the bicycle as an eco-friendly piece of technology to help commuters.' he said. The inventor says that the bicycle's engine can be fully charged in a sunny day and at night it can be can be charged up by plugging it into the electricity mains.

"It's an electric bike, except that the engine charged by the sun's energy" said the inventor. "To save energy, the motor can be turned off or on so the cyclist could just use it when they're peddling up a steep hill."

The solar bicycle is currently in the concept stage, but Miljevic hopes to develop a mass production of this bicycle, when he will find a producer.

Microsoft announced the opening of its new data center in San Antonio, USA, which says that it is the greenest project so far. Building area is approximately 44,000 square meters, and the official opening of the center will take place in this week.

The company invested 550 million dollars in the greenest data center developing. It will use recycled water for cooling systems and solar panels on the roof.

In addition, Microsoft discuss with the CPS Energy referring to a partnership for wind energy. If the proposal is accepted, Microsoft will become the largest consumer of the CPS Energy company, and will use up to 50 megawatts energy.

Today, Microsoft tax the business units depending on the amount of energy that they use in data centers.

In August, Microsoft announced that the company's recycling programme has led to the halving of the waste amount generated in the headquarters from Redmont, Washington (USA).