solar power Archives

The Metals Company issues scientific rebuttal to ‘dark oxygen’ discovery

September 24, 2024

A “ground-breaking” scientific discovery made 13,000 feet below the ocean’s surface would fundamentally change humanity’s understanding of how oxygen is produced, but its findings are being called into question. A company with vested interests in whether or not this science is considered valid has claimed this research regarding “dark oxygen” is “flawed” and “misleading.”

The study, led by Andrew Sweetman of the Scottish Marine Association, focused on polymetallic nodules found on the ocean seabed. These nodules, rich in minerals crucial to the production of clean energy infrastructure, were identified by the researchers as potential sources of oxygen.

Sweetman has warned that removing these nodules to extract the rare earth elements they hold could disrupt this potential source of oxygen production.

However, The Metals Company, which seeks to mine these polymetallic nodules to support renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines, solar panels and electric vehicles (EVs), has criticized Sweetman’s findings. The company disputes the existence of dark oxygen, claiming that the research is flawed.

In a statement to Straight Arrow News, The Metals Company asserted: “Rarely has a dataset been published that so emphatically undermines the leading hypothesis. Yet, Sweetman’s supposed findings of ‘dark oxygen’ were sensationalized in media headlines worldwide.”

The Metals Company has since issued a formal scientific rebuttal, accusing Sweetman’s team of omitting critical data, misrepresenting research, and conducting contaminated experiments. The company said it hopes this rebuttal will “inject some integrity into the conversation, and aid in correcting the scientific record.”

In response, the Scottish Marine Association indicated that it is preparing a counter to The Metals Company’s critique, maintaining that its research was transparent. Sweetman’s team stated, “We don’t have anything to hide.”

Plan to open 10% of Utah for solar energy faces environmental concerns

September 19, 2024

The U.S. government is considering opening up 10% of Utah’s land for solar power developments, but the proposal is facing opposition from state officials and some environmentalists who worry it could impact sensitive landscapes and habitats. Areas like Utah’s West Desert and the shores of the Great Salt Lake, which are home to threatened species such as the desert bighorn sheep, the Mojave desert tortoise, and the greater sage grouse, could be affected by the plan.

“Instead of a targeted approach, the government is painting the whole desert green to become available for solar,” said Patrick Donnelly, the Great Basin director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “And that could lead to resource conflicts and environmental damage.”

Federal authorities argue that the initiative will focus only on lands that have already been disturbed or degraded, and that areas critical for wildlife habitats, cultural resources, or those already protected, will be off-limits for development. They also emphasize that any proposed solar projects will require environmental reviews before being approved.

The designation of 5 million acres in Utah for renewable energy use is part of the Bureau of Land Management’s Western Solar Plan, introduced in August.

If implemented, the agency estimates that the initiative could reduce around 123 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, which is equivalent to removing nearly 30 million gas-powered cars from the road for a year.

“The updated Western Solar Plan is a responsible, pragmatic strategy for developing solar energy on our nation’s public lands that supports national clean energy goals and long-term national energy security,” Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning said in a statement. “It will drive responsible solar development to locations with fewer potential conflicts while helping the nation transition to a clean energy economy.”

Mega-solar farm project could impact threatened Japanese giant salamanders

September 17, 2024

The Japanese giant salamander, a species that has inhabited Earth for approximately 23 million years, is now facing the threat of extinction. Conservationists are raising concerns about new solar energy developments encroaching on its natural habitat.

A proposed mega-solar farm on the small island of Hokkaido in northern Japan has sparked protests from local officials and residents, who argue that the project endangers the vulnerable salamander population.

The island was identified as an ideal site for solar energy due to its low-cost land, long daylight hours, and proximity to metropolitan areas that could utilize the energy generated. However, the planned site overlaps with the natural habitat of the salamanders, which are revered in Japan as a national treasure and celebrated in cultural legends.

While developers have conducted an environmental impact assessment to address potential risks to the species, community members remain concerned that the solar farm will adversely affect the salamander population.

Virginia high school combining solar power and education under one roof

September 16, 2024

Stafford County Public Schools in Virginia are combining solar power with education. North Stafford High School unveiled the largest school rooftop array in the state on Thursday, Sept. 12, a project that first started in February 2024.

The 3,300 solar panels will reportedly save the school district an estimated $2.8 million dollars over the next 25 years and offset carbon emissions by nearly 42,000 tons.

The panels will also be used for student learning. High schoolers will be able to access data through learning stations in the school library. The stations will use an energy dashboard to teach students how things like seasons and weather conditions impact solar energy. Those interested in solar power careers can learn about opportunities in the field and explore the solar array on top of the school’s rooftop through virtual reality.

Virginia is among the top 10 states in solar power on K-thru-12 schools. According to recent data, the state ranks ninth in the nation in solar power in that category. However, solar power efforts are expanding across the United States. Researchers found that one in nine students now attend a solar-powered school in the U.S.

Stafford County Public School officials said they are also excited about the opportunity to brings to the community to educate them on the value of “environmental stewardship.”

Madison Energy Infrastructure, the New York company behind the effort at the Virginia high school is also behind various green projects across the nation.

The contract between the school district and company expires in the next 25 years.

NASA deploys new solar sail system that could advance space exploration

September 4, 2024

NASA has successfully deployed its Advanced Composite Solar Sail System which can propel a spacecraft using only power from the sun. The solar sail is now in orbit around Earth, harnessing photons from the Sun to navigate space.

The solar sail, which spans around 860 square feet, operates similarly to a sailboat on Earth, but instead of relying on wind, it uses the pressure exerted by the Sun’s rays for propulsion.

Photons, or particles of light, bounce off the sail’s reflective material, pushing the spacecraft in the desired direction based on the sail’s orientation.

NASA said this approach to space travel holds significant promise for the future of exploration, including “low-cost deep space missions.”

Unlike traditional spacecraft, which are restricted in the distances they can cover by factors like fuel capacity and engine power, space travel with solar sails is limited only by the durability of its materials.

Researchers believe this innovation could be utilized in early-warning satellite systems, space surveillance and enhanced solar observation missions. Additionally, because of the sail’s highly reflective materials, it may be visible from Earth on clear nights, offering a rare opportunity for stargazers to witness this technology in action.

Construction begins on largest solar project east of the Mississippi River

September 3, 2024

Construction has officially begun on what will become the largest solar project east of the Mississippi River. Located in southern Illinois, the Double Black Diamond Solar Facility is poised to generate 800 megawatts of power upon its completion, capable of powering approximately 100,000 homes annually.

Major energy-intensive clients, including O’Hare International Airport and Loyola University Chicago, are already lined up to source electricity from the project.

Developers highlight that the facility will also play a critical role in reducing the region’s carbon footprint, with an estimated annual CO2 reduction of around one million tons — equivalent to removing 250,000 gas-powered vehicles from the roads.

The Double Black Diamond Solar facility is also expected to have a substantial economic impact on the local community. Officials estimate that the project will generate $100 million in tax revenue and support hundreds of jobs during its construction and operation phases.

Most of the 1.6 million solar panels used in the facility will be manufactured in the United States, amid growing concerns over the environmental and ethical issues associated with cheaper Chinese solar technology imports, including harmful manufacturing practices and allegations of forced labor. Looking ahead, commercial operations at the Black Diamond Solar site are projected to begin by 2025.

Electronics made with Chinese forced labor attempt to enter the US from India

August 30, 2024

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials have detained nearly $43 million worth of electronic equipment shipments from India since October, suspecting they may have been manufactured with components linked to forced labor in China. The detained shipments have raised concerns that India may be attempting to circumvent U.S. tariffs and trade restrictions by exporting products that include components derived from illegal labor practices.

These seizures fall under the 2022 Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), which aims to block goods produced in China’s Xinjiang region from entering the U.S.

The Xinjiang region has come under international scrutiny due to reports that Chinese authorities have established labor camps for ethnic Uyghur and other Muslim groups.

While the specific nature of the confiscated goods has not yet been disclosed, solar panel components are considered a high-priority area under the UFLPA.

Experts say the seized goods likely include raw materials used for solar tech that were first sourced from Xinjiang before being manufactured in India, a practice which may have been occurring for some time now.

India has seen a recent surge in solar panel exports to the U.S., with shipments rising to 11% of total U.S. solar panel imports in the second quarter of this year. This marks a significant increase from the previous quarter, where India’s share stood at just over 5%.

Rural Nevada locals push back against Las Vegas-sized solar energy project

August 26, 2024

Esmeralda County, Nevada, one of the most sparsely populated regions in the nation, is at the center of a growing debate over a proposed solar energy project that could become the largest in North America. As the second-least densely populated county in the U.S., situated with the country’s third sunniest state, Esmeralda might seem like an ideal location for solar energy development, however, the residents of this rural community are not convinced.

The proposed solar project, if approved, would cover an area roughly the size of Las Vegas, right in the heart of Esmeralda County. At full capacity, the project could generate enough electricity to power over 5.5 million homes, nearly five times the energy needs of the entire state of Nevada.

Many residents are concerned that the construction of this solar project would lead to the loss of the county’s natural beauty, which they believe should remain untouched. The land designated for the project is largely undeveloped and was once considered for state park status.

Beyond environmental concerns, there is also apprehension about the potential social impacts of this renewable energy initiative.

The construction phase of the project is expected to take five years and would likely require a workforce that could outnumber the county’s current population. This possible influx of workers is alarming to locals who fear it could fundamentally alter the character of their isolated community.

Ultimately though, the decision on whether to proceed with the project may be beyond the control of local residents. The vast majority — about 97% — of Esmeralda County’s land is federally owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management, including the area slated for the solar project.

Environmental groups have petitioned the government agency to designate portions of the land for special environmental protections, but these efforts have largely been met with resistance from federal authorities.

How a startup company plans to harness the power of the sun at night

August 26, 2024

A California-based start-up company known as Reflect Orbital is looking to harness the power of the sun, regardless of the time of day on Earth. The CEO of Reflect Orbital Ben Nowack posted a video on Thursday, Aug. 22, showing the company’s vision of what it hopes to be able to accomplish with a vast array of mirrored satellites in orbit.

Reflect Orbital’s plan is to send up a number of these mirrors piggybacking on other planned rocket launches. Once in orbit, these satellites would pinpoint the sun’s rays onto a precise location on Earth. Nowack said he wants to make as easy logging into a website and using GPS coordinates to pinpoint where exactly a user would want the sunlight to shine.

“The beauty of space is you can put things up there and they stay up for a long time,” said Tristan Semmelhack, the CTO of Reflect. “You this thing up really high and suddenly you have global access to basically any location on Earth if you design it correctly, that’s what’s magical.”

Nowack believes that the technology may one day be used to power solar farms at night. Reflect Orbital plans to launch what it calls its first “deployable reflector” in the coming months.

Reflect Orbital currently has its website focused on both lighting and energy. Lighting portion of the company focuses on bringing a “spot of sunlight” to a particular location on Earth after dark while the energy portion focuses on bringing the sun’s energy to a solar plant at night.

Researchers use ‘holy grail’ of solar tech to develop new flexible panels

August 22, 2024

A team of researchers from Oxford University has produced the world’s first flexible solar devices. They are thin enough to be coated over various objects, turning them into portable power sources. While flexible solar panels have been available on the market for some time, these new panels are distinguished by their ultra-thin design, measuring just over one micron thick.

The panels are made using a material called perovskite, which has been hailed by some in the industry as the “holy grail” of solar power. Perovskite’s appeal lies in its potential to create flexible, lightweight solar panels at a much cheaper cost than current models.

“We can envisage perovskite coatings being applied to broader types of surface to generate cheap solar power, such as the roof of cars and buildings and even the backs of mobile phones,” Junke Wang, professor of physics at Oxford University, said in a statement. “If more solar energy can be generated in this way, we can foresee less need in the longer term to use silicon panels or build more and more solar farms.”

However, previous attempts to use perovskite in solar panels have faced significant challenges. The material is notoriously susceptible to damage from moisture and can degrade quickly when exposed to air, which has limited its practical use in outdoor solar panels.

The Oxford research team has overcome these challenges by developing a method to stabilize perovskite in layered structures. This innovation has resulted in a solar device that is not only durable but also more efficient, with a 27% efficiency rate in converting sunlight into energy.

This marks an improvement over the current industry standard, which typically caps at around 22% efficiency. With continued development, researchers believe they can push the efficiency rate up to 45%.