Energy efficiency and renewable energies

What is expected from Solar Energy on 2012 ?

2012-01-09T16:09:00.001+01:00

The Renewable Energy industry will certainly continue to be driven by large-scale rooftop and ground-mounted developments. But PV has what other mainstream renewable technologies lack — the ability to invite itself into our living rooms and our back pockets. Solar has always had a technological following, but the industry is increasingly looking to make a direct connection through the products we use.
There have been steady gains made with solar technology powering everything from computers to electric vehicles. These partnerships are still relatively new and they have yet to hit shelves or showrooms in any significant way. But consumers are waiting. A recent survey found that nine out of 10 Americans want more solar energy and industry leaders are hoping this can be the year solar makes a splash on Main Street.
(source: Renewable Energy World)

Solar Photovoltaic Energy competitiveness with Grid

2011-12-08T15:02:00.001+01:00

PV electricity is cheaper than many people think. In the coming years the technology will become even more cost-effective and competitive — and qualify therefore as a vital part of Europe’s energy future. Under the right policy and market conditions, PV competitiveness with grid electricity can be achieved in some markets as early as 2013, and then spread across the continent in the different market segments by 2020.

Over the last 20 years, PV has already shown impressive price reductions, with the price of PV modules decreasing by over 20% every time the cumulative sold volume of PV modules has doubled. System prices have declined accordingly; during the last 5 years a price decrease of 50% has been achieved in Europe. System prices are expected to decrease in the 10 coming years by 36-51% depending on the segment. Importantly, there is a huge potential for further generation cost decline: around 50% until 2020. The cost of PV electricity generation in Europe could decrease from a range of 0.16-0.35 Euros/kWh in 2010 to a range of 0.08-0.18 Euros/kWh in 2020 depending on system size and irradiance level.

(Source: www.epia.org)

Future Generations are relying on Renewable Energy

2011-12-08T14:25:00.001+01:00

Renewable energy has become more and more significant in the European energy market and will, without a doubt, play a key role in the long-term. Within less than two decades, renewable energy has developed from an alternative energy source in a niche market to one of the most important energy sources worldwide and a driving force for a sustainable 21st century economy. Renewable energy reduces import dependency and diversifies energy sources, contributing to future economic development in Europe. Decisions that can help continue this economically and environmentally important trend.

Renewable Energy playing a key role for achieving energy efficiency targets

2011-10-10T11:06:00.000+02:00

Renewable energy sources and energy savings are the most straightforward means of both reducing emissions and improving security of energy supply. Energy related CO2 emissions have already been reduced by more than 20% against 1990 levels due to the deployment of renewable energy technologies. In addition, the renewable energy industry is one of the fastest growing sectors, providing jobs and bringing new technologies to the market, thereby helping to ensure that Europe maintains its technological leadership in global industrial innovation. However, the EU is increasingly being globally challenged by new market players. In order to keep its pole position, clear signals for investors are needed.
The decisions made today will determine the direction the energy sector will take in the long-term. It has to be made clear that high-carbon investments are expensive, and will remain so in the future. Only then will markets be capable of triggering the vital private investments (including capital intensive and long-term investments)which are needed for a transition to a resource-efficient.

Source: EPIA - Towards a truly sustainable energy system in the EU

The evolution of the Solar Energy cost from its commercial early days use

2011-09-28T15:19:00.000+02:00

It was in 1956 when the first commercial solar cell was made available to the public at a very expensive $300 / watt. It was being used in radios and toys by then.

The space programs started to employ solar technology in 1958 when the “Vanguard I” was launched with the first satellite using solar energy to generate electricity. No doubt that the spatial programs were challenging for creativity as the sun is the only source of energy in space.

The Energy Crisis of the seventies awaked the need to find alternative sources of energy not to be fully dependent on finite resources (coal, oil and gas). Solar energy cells dropped dramatically to about $20 / watt.

Today the use of solar energy is progressing rapidly and new business is being developed around this renewable energy. Many Governments on developed and emerging countries have worked out their financial solutions through subventions and Feed in Tariffs to incentivise its commercial use. The cost is now $ 1 / watt and will continue to drop as new innovative technologies are created.

Flying in the future... have a glance with Airbus

2011-09-28T08:12:00.000+02:00

In the past, air travel has mainly focussed on getting people from A to B as safely and as quickly as possible. But in the future, travelling could be an entirely different experience integrating different stages of the journey, making the trip so enjoyable that passengers won’t want to arrive, or even changing the way you pay.
Speedier air travel may not suit everyone. A lot of people simply love the experience of being above the clouds and away from it all.
Can you imagine the next generation of cruise ships being in the sky and not on the sea, with packages to suit everyone – complete with swimming pools, spas and even golf courses !... And perhaps you won’t even have to pay for your ticket !..., with the operators making their money from casino takings, restaurants and other attractions.
Do you want to see more about the experience of flying in the future?.... go to the "Future by Airbus"

Solar Power is the Future... whatever happens on financial sector

2011-09-23T19:26:00.000+02:00

The solar market is still virtually untapped and so much remains to be discovered. Someday solar powered airplanes will be taking off from airports around the globe. Solar cells and panels will continue to shrink and become more capable, powering everything that is currently powered via electricity at some future time.

Solar energy usage has advanced dramatically since the ancient Greeks began using it to light their cooking and heating fires. What is so exciting about solar power is we have only just begun to tap its potential. Innovative minds will continue to optimize the technology and develop exciting uses well into the future using solar power.

Solar PV. Decreasing prices and generation cost.

2011-09-07T16:20:00.000+02:00

Over the last 20 years, PV has already shown impressive price reductions, with the price
of PV modules decreasing by over 20% every time the cumulative sold volume of PV
modules has doubled. System prices have declined accordingly; during the last 5 years
a price decrease of 50% has been achieved in Europe. System prices are expected to
decrease in the 10 coming years by 36-51% depending on the segment.
Importantly, there is a huge potential for further generation cost decline: around 50%
until 2020. The cost of PV electricity generation in Europe could decrease from a range
of 0.16-0.35 €/kWh in 2010 to a range of 0.08-0.18 €/kWh in 2020 depending on
system size and irradiance level.

Source: European Photovoltaic Industry Association - Solar PV competing in the energy sector

A bright, clean and sunny future ahead!

2011-08-29T16:46:00.000+02:00

The major competitive advantages of PV technology lie in its versatility, i.e. the wide range of sizes and sites, resulting into proximity to electricity demand, in the value of its production profile concentrated during peak-load hours, and in its enormous potential for further cost reduction.

PV technology has reduced its unit costs to roughly one third of where it stood 5 years ago, thanks to continuous technological progress, production efficiency and to its wide implementation. The trend of decreasing unit cost will continue also in the future, just like in comparable industries such as semiconductors and TV screens. Adding the important feature of integrated PV solutions in particular in building architecture, the potential of further growth is simply enormous.

With PV becoming a cost competitive solution for producing power, it will open up an increasing variety of new markets and contribute more and more significantly to cover our future energy needs. PV technology has all the potential to satisfy a double digit percentage of the electricity supply needs in all major regions of the world.

Going forward, a share of over 20% of the world electricity demand in 2050 appears feasible, and opens a bright, clean and sunny future to all of us.

Source: EPIA Solar Generation 6 (www.epia.org)

What are the benefits of shifting to solar?

2011-08-28T10:59:00.001+02:00

There are so many benefits on going to renewable energies but solar is probably one of the most reliable ones as the Sun was at the creation of the life on Earth and will certainly be still there for many million years from now.
We can list some of the high level benefits as:

Provide clean and sustainable electricity to the world.
Regional development, by creation of local jobs. New employment levels in the sector – as many as 1.62 million jobs as early as 2015, rising to 3.62 million in 2020 and 4.64 million in 2030.
Clean electricity that contributes to international targets to cut emissions and mitigate climate change.
Avoiding up to 4,047 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent every year by 2050. The cumulative total of avoided CO2 emissions from 2020 to 2050 would be 65 billion tones.

References from "Solar Generation 6" published by EPIA

How to make money in solar… or how to make solar energy really efficient?

2011-08-19T11:16:00.002+02:00

We are living a period where solar energy has been considered a serious potential source of energy for the future and many people bumped into the niche with the intention to make big money. This industry started to grow too rapidly and became a heavy political topic in many areas of the World. Some have dealt with a proper organized planning but others have been trapped by rush, confusion and inadequate competency leading to catastrophic results. As the global market is moving on rapidly and technical research disclosing promising commercial products we are still groping and revolutionary changes are still expected for solar energy to become a trustful economical source of energy. I believe that in less than 20 years from now we will see back and think about the 2011 days as prehistory.

Feed in Tariffs and Subventions have been prepared and offered by some Governments to push forward the solar industry with the objective to increase production and reduce the cost of the different components. Some Countries are in good way to achieve their goals and subventions are being reduced up to none very soon (Germany setting a very good example). Making big money out of the grid connection subventions is no longer the right choice and is already frustrating many Investors (in some cases by clumsy government decisions).

The future is clear and logical:

Solar PV to highly improve its efficiency and cost to drop under 0,50 $/watt
Manage energy consumption in a way to reduce unnecessary waste
Produce only the energy required by our needs (Grid connected or Off Grid)
Solar PV integrated to the building from the drafting table (BIPV projects)
Smart Grids development on urban areas

Chart showing the best research-cell efficiencies up to end 2010

A revolution towards new consumption habits

2011-08-16T17:27:00.002+02:00

We live the "Titanic Syndrome" and blinded by the abundance in which we live, we refuse to accept the disaster that we will not be able to stop unless action is taken immediately by each one of us!

Among the most important is that of significantly reducing our energy consumption in all aspects of our daily lives. We need to start a revolution in our life! ...

In recent years we have witnessed significant progress in the performance of new technologies for the use of renewable energies. A wide choice is available to us and there will always be a solution for our needs. The use of these natural sources of energy requires that we learn to live a little bit differently while realizing the negative effects of abundant waste that has been the symbol of the past decades.

Link to a French site with some ideas

Energy storage. Lithium-ion batteries will be the leading technology by 2015

2011-08-11T14:54:00.000+02:00

The global market for rechargeable batteries in electric vehicles (EV) is expected to reach new heights in the next 10 years, growing to $54 billion by 2010, up from $35 billion in 2010.

By 2015, lithium-ion batteries will be the leading technology occupying 55 percent of the market. Lead-acid will have 31 percent of the market, NiMH batteries will be 6 percent of the market and 1 percent will be NaS batteries.

Looking ahead to 2020, lithium-ion will only gain in its lead over the other battery technologies taking market share away from lead-acid batteries while NiMH and NaS will maintain roughly the same presence in the market.

Lithium-ion batteries will grow in demand with automotive applications. The main commercial driver will be the need for aggressive cost reductions while maintaining safety. The cost of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries is much higher than any other. However, we believe prices are expected to fall some 50 percent in order to achieve widespread market adoption.

However, significant cost reductions should be possible through volume production and material improvements. As a result, lithium-ion batteries could become less expensive than standard lead-acid equivalents by 2020.

Solar Energy components challenged for more efficiency and lower costs

2011-08-03T14:33:00.002+02:00

The solar radiation that reaches the earth represents between 6,000 and 10,000 times as much energy as the entire planet now consumes. So in absolute terms, solar power could provide an inexhaustible source of energy. All we need to do is “tap” a tiny amount of it to cover all of our needs and those of future generations. In theory, photovoltaic systems could convert as much as 84% of the energy of photons — the “light packets” sent by the sun — into electricity, instead of the 15 to 20% they do now… so still plenty of work ahead!

Despite the sector's boom, solar energy will have to achieve economies of scale and undergo major restructuring to truly reach adulthood. Over the next ten years, the photovoltaic sector will invest considerable capital — no less than $700 billion — to attain a worldwide capacity of 200 GWp in 2020.

Challenging projects have been raised to stimulate creativity and we are living a great moment plenty of opportunities for new inventions and discoveries. One of theses Challenges is the Swiss solar plane “Solar Impulse” whose objective is to complete a roundtrip flight around the World by 2014. Its success relies in great portion on much more efficient solar cells and batteries than we have nowadays.

Solar Energy projects in Latin America with some clouds

2011-08-01T11:48:00.001+02:00

Several announcements have been made by different Latin American countries stating the beginning of new projects using the solar energy but if there is something in common among them is the lack of a clear and long term strategy for this renewable energy development.

Solar industry is still crawling and only basically known. The existing traditional source of energy is still plentiful available and not stressing for immediate changes which may drive to very complex modifications (mainly financial and administrative). Time for opportunity is now!

Another common link between the projects initiated is that they are all under test to verify their positive behaviour (power supplied, performance, maintenance, duration,…). Feed In Tariffs are not even established as connection to the Grid is merely starting on some areas. Most of the programs initiated and underway are based on experiences achieved in Europe where there is so much turbulence after subsidies have been drastically reduced. This is obviously generating more confusion and uncertainty to those countries wishing to develop a strategy on solar energy.

Some European companies are already starting to invest in South America bringing their “know-how” absolutely necessary to create a more favourable environment around solar projects required to impulse its development. Progressive appropriate training and induction is mandatory at the core of the Governments and decision makers in a way to create trust and have successful results in the benefit of all the parties involved.

Ecological development successfully tested in Freiburg at the Vauban District

2011-07-28T17:53:00.001+02:00

Freiburg is a city with a population of 200.000 inhabitants in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Freiburg has held a leading position in solar energy applications in Germany. Environmental protection complies with the requirements of economic viability, in fact, it created economic welfare. This is the very core concept of sustainability. A sustainable region cannot be developed by a top-down approach or by political decision alone. Its livelihood depends on the active involvement of the people.
Solar building involves more than adding some solar installation to the roof of an existing structure. “Passive” aspects of solar architecture such as south-north orientation, insulation , maximum use of daylight and so forth keep the energy demand of a building at a minimum.
The most ambitious concept is pursued by “Solar Village Schlierberg”. Per annum the solar energy production of the “Surplus-energy Houses” ® of this residential estate exceeds energy consumption. New urban districts Vauban and Rieselfeld comply with Freiburg’s advanced low-energy standard. The ground for this was prepared by the experimental studies of the world’s first self-sufficient solar experimental building (without external energy supply) in Freiburg in 1992 or by Rolf Disch’s futuristic solar house Heliotrop with its revolving structure.

We recently spent a few days in Freiburg and visited the Vauban District. We were deeply impressed by the high level of life quality we could notice among the residents... and how it is positively impacting their young new generation!

www.plusenergiehaus.de

Solar Impulse setting historic benchmarks in the History of the Aviation

2011-07-26T10:42:00.001+02:00

Solar powered planes started to be tested several years ago and the results of those experiences have been used to design the new Swiss plane Solar Impulse.

Among the most relevant experimental planes:

- PATHFINDER was a solar-powered, remotely piloted flying wing aircraft used to demonstrate the use of solar power for long-duration, high-altitude flight. In 1998, Pathfinder was modified into the Pathfinder Plus aircraft.

- CENTURION had a 62 m wing span and was powered by 14 brushless DC electric motors. The Centurion first flew in 1998.

- HELIOS project was a part of NASA's ERAST programme (Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology). It was developed by NASA and Californian company AeroVironment Inc. ERAST programme develops pilotless solar powered airplane technology. More than 60,000 high efficiency (22.5% at AM 1.5) solar cells produced by SunPower Corporation were used as an energy source for HELIOS. The peak power of solar cell array was approximately 30 kW. The total costs for HELIOS solar cells reached around US$ 9 million (200 US$/W). HELIOS was equipped with 14 propeller motors, which were purposely designed for use in very thin air on high altitudes. HELIOS' wings (in fact, there’s only one wing) were longer than wings of a Boeing 747 or a Lockheed C-5 military transport plane.

Solar Impulse is intended to become the first solar plane to complete a World round trip in 2014 with 2 Pilots.

South America waking up on solar energy projects

2011-07-25T19:09:00.000+02:00

Good things take time to prepare and that is happening in South America. Brazil as the "Big Brother" is stepping with cautious speed (not to be flashed by a Radar !) but Chile, Argentina and

Ecuador

don’t stay behind and are moving slowly.

Argentina

achieved recently a 1,2 MW project using different technologies (Crystalline and Thin Film on fixed systems and trackers).

Chile

the Government has approved the construction of a 250 MW solar plant to be built by “Atacama Solar”. This project will be erected in one of the most solar irradiated place in the world which is the Atacama Desert.

Ecuador

the electricity authority has adopted a Feed-In Tariff system for the development of renewable energy. The regulations cover both continental Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

Brazil to install a solar system capacity of 600MW by 2020

2011-07-22T15:56:00.006+02:00

Brazil... among the most influential countries reshaping our future is finally stepping into solar energy projects. Despite Brazil’s high irradiance levels, solar accounts for a tiny percentage of the country’s energy portfolio. However, falling equipment prices and increased government support means this is all set to change, and SER (Sistema de Energia Renovavel) is putting itself in position to capitalize. Its first project will have a capacity of 5MW and be located in one of the northeastern states of Bahia, Paraiba, Rio Grande do Norte and Ceara.

Brazil has been focused on wind energy up to now but as the costs of the photovoltaic systems are falling down it is finally opening new possibilities for countries with high potential to grow as Brazil who is leading the way in South America.
Brazil... the new "El Dorado" for solar energy projects?

The "Solar Impulse" objective

2011-07-06T20:56:00.001+02:00

The Swiss solar plane SolarImpulse is not only the Flights that his Team is wonderfully performing... but The message conveyed for all of us to really take action on projects for a better ecological World!
So... let's wake up!

Freiburg setting an example for future generations

2011-07-06T16:16:00.000+02:00

Freiburg - an inspirational city powered by solar, where a third of all journeys are by bike
A sustainable city driving down CO2 emissions by regulation, incentives, design, long-term commitment and policy reform.

Freiburg in Germany. The greenest site on Earth

2011-07-06T09:15:00.000+02:00

We are visiting Freiburg and realize that what is said is real... and works since many years now. Freiburg in summary:

Mix of uses and high residential density
Jobs on-site. Integration of office and retail space along transit-served arterial streets
Alternative transportation. Transit oriented development with frequent rail and bus service, high quality walking and bicycling paths, convenient bicycle parking, car share vehicles, traffic calming and 20mph speed limit on all streets
Energy efficiency. Low energy standard of 65 kWh per square meter per year, met by building multi-story attached buildings with passive solar design and district heating systems
Water conservation. Rainwater collection and use indoors, green roofs, pervious pavements, unpaved tramways, and drainage sloughs
Social infrastructure. Community associations, libraries, churches and other meeting centers, shared courtyards and play areas, community gardens
Range of financing and housing forms. Mixture of subsidized and privately-financed housing.

Solar Impulse buckling a succesful european tour on Sunday

2011-07-01T17:20:00.000+02:00

Solar Impulse HB-SIA will probably take off from Paris Le Bourget on this Sunday July 3rd.
This flight will complete the successful tour initiated on May 13th when Solar Impulse left Payerne and landed in Bruxelles. After an acclaimed participation at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget where it was received as the Special Guest it is preparing its flight back home.
A first attempt on Friday was aborted because of safety reasons and a new departure is planned to happen on Sunday early in the morning.
The entire flight will be broadcasted through the solar plane website at: www.SolarImpulse.com

Solar Impulse postponed departure from Paris

2011-06-30T23:01:00.000+02:00

At the last minute Solar Impulse aborted its intention to take off from Paris on Friday July 1st at 7:00 LT. The decision has been taken in the afternoon when informed by Paris ATC about the intense air traffic forcing Solar Impulse to fly at a relatively low altitude for an extensive period. This would reduce minimal safety conditions for Solar Impulse therefore the Technical Team decided to postpone the flight to Payerne in Switzerkand to a more convenient time and day.
Details will be announced very soon but may not occur before Sunday.

The solar plane "Solar Impulse" going back home in Switzerland

2011-06-30T13:31:00.002+02:00

*** Last minute *** Departure postponed until further notice (due to Weather and Traffic conditions)

After the exciting week as the special Guest at the Paris Air Show 2011 in Le Bourget, the “Solar Impulse” team prepares for the return to Switzerland. Good news! Luc Trullemans (the “SI” meteorologist) has found a favorable weather window for Friday, July 1st!
The prototype HB-SIA, piloted by André Borschberg, will take off on Friday morning from Paris - Le Bourget to reach a cruising altitude of 3500 meters. André will fly to the east in direction of Troyes, then head Pontarlier at the border between France and Switzerland and finally land at Payerne by the end of the day.
Due to high density air traffic in Paris and potential turbulence caused by heat, the team received permission to take off from Le Bourget Airport by 07:00 ET estimating landing at Payerne after 19:00 (UTC + 2).
The entire flight will be broadcasted and anyone will be able to watch and interact during the flight.
Log at: www.solarimpulse.com

Solar Energy.... Source of life on Earth.

2011-06-30T10:03:00.002+02:00

The sun is our most reliable source of energy since the creation of the life in our Planet. It provides more energy than any other but intense research is still undergoing to find the best storage solutions. It is almost hard to believe that it takes the sun just three hours to send as much energy earthward as the entire population on earth consume in a year!
Currently, there are two ways to generate electricity from solar energy.
1) The first is photovoltaics (PV) where solar cells transform the sun's rays directly into electricity. The PV technology can be briefly disclosed in:
a) Crystalline Silicon cells are made from thin slices cut from a single crystal of silicon (monocrystalline) or from a block of silicon crystals (polycrystalline). This is the most widespread technology today. Efficiency up to 20%
b) Common Thin Film modules are constructed by depositing extremely thin layers of photosensitive materials onto a low-cost backing such as glass, stainless steel or plastic. Common Thin Film semiconductors include amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) or copper indium diselenide (CIS). Efficiency average around 12%
c) Concentrator Photovoltaics (CPV).The solar cells are designed to operate with concentrated sunlight. These cells are built into concentrating collectors that use a lens to focus the sunlight onto the cells. Efficiency can raise above 30%.
2) The second is concentrated solar power (CSP): the sun's rays are concentrated to produce heat that generates steam to drive a turbine and generator, much like in a conventional power plant

Solar Impulse flying back home in Switzerland

2011-06-29T14:20:00.001+02:00

After a successful participation at the Paris Air Show 2011 in Le Bourget the solar plane « Solar Impulse » is preparing the flight back to Payerne in Switzerland its home base by the end of the week 26.
Solar Impulse was the Special Guest of the famous Air Show and captured the attention of the thousands of visitors and aviation professionals.
Solar Impulse is the manned solar plane whose final objective is to achieve a complete roundtrip flight around the Earth by 2014 completely powered by the sun energy. Its wings are covered by 12 000 photovoltaic cells in 145 micron monocrystalline silicon combining lightness and efficiency. Their efficiency could have been even higher, like the panels used in space, but their weight would then have penalized the plane during night flight. This phase being the most critical, the main constraint is the one imposed by the batteries that are still heavy and require a drastic reduction in weight and size, so as to optimize the whole energy chain and to maximize the aerodynamic performance provided by a large wing span and a wing profile designed for low speeds.
Source: Solar Impulse

Japan supports research on post-technology lithium-ion batteries

2011-06-28T14:41:00.001+02:00

One of the major obstacles to the development of electric vehicles and planes as the Solar Impulse is the autonomy and performance of batteries. The battery of the future should be compact, lightweight, powerful and easily rechargeable, but also have great autonomy.
Today, many technologies already exist with returns that differ depending on the amount of stored energy (in Wh / kg). The traditional lead-acid batteries can provide from 30 to 50 Wh / kg, the nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) from 45 to 80 Wh / kg. The nickel metal hydride (NiMH) range from 60 to 120 Wh / kg, followed by the lithium-ion (110 to 160 Wh / kg) or the lithium metal polymer (100 to 130 Wh / kg). The lithium-ion batteries will not go beyond an energy density of 300 Wh / kg, despite all the improvements. As a comparison gasoline, has an energy density of 13,000 Wh / kg.
According to a recent report published by the Embassy of France in Japan, the road map provides for the development of powerful batteries (500 Wh / kg) in 2030 for a cost not exceeding €0.09 / Wh , against €0.9 / Wh today. The objective is to develop by 2013 a rechargeable battery to an energy density three times that of existing models, a precursor to 2030 a battery five times more energy dense

Solar Impulse starting a second plane HB-SIB

2011-06-27T19:23:00.000+02:00

"The world is full of big problems that are costly and discouraging"... and this Challenge is bringing hope!...
"Aviation can provide innovative solutions by showing that renewable energy is possible! They are a source of diversification for the oil and future growth, "Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg
Solar Impulse HB-SIA (the first prototype) has been designed and tested after 10 years of long work and tenacity from its Founders and the entire commitment of the Dream Team composed of 70 motivated and highly qualified Staff... and their Faith to achieve the objective!
HB-SIB is now underway with the recognized support from its Sponsors fully trusting on this project.

US and Germany Scientists working together on Solar Energy

2011-06-27T18:53:00.000+02:00

Scientists from the two countries, among other endeavors, will cooperate to synthesize and characterize novel materials that are candidates for more efficient solar cells and solar fuels.

They’ll also develop and use fast imaging techniques to help characterize thin-film materials on the micrometer to nanometer scale, and to characterize in situ growth processes.

More details at: http://www.nrel.gov/news/press/2011/1461.html

The solar plane "Solar Impulse" as the Star at the Paris Air Show 2011

2011-06-27T10:38:00.000+02:00

The solar plane "Solar Impulse" has successfully achieved its participation at the Paris Air Show 2011 in Le Bourget. Thousands of visitors had the privilege to discover this revolutionary plane powered by the sun and result of the tenacity and perseverance from Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg helped by a brilliant Team of 70 motivated and highly qualified Staff.
This is just the beginning of the Adventure whose objective is to buckle a flight around the Earth propelled only by the solar energy.

Solar Impulse... The solar plane

2011-06-23T22:05:00.000+02:00

Solar Impulse, the Solar Plane, is the special Guest at the Paris Air Show 2011 in Le Bourget. I am so pleased and honored to see HB-SIA (the first Prototype) on this 24th of June.
Solar Impulse is the type of challenges we need at this moment to speed up solutions and get results on innovative energy efficiency and new renewable energies methods

Stop !!...

2011-06-23T15:44:00.000+02:00

Oil prices soar and its existence may already be counted in a few decades .... what next? We live the "Titanic Syndrome" and blinded by the abundance in where we live, we refuse to accept the disaster that we will not be able to stop unless action is taken immediately by all of us!
Among the most important is that of significantly reducing our energy consumption in all respects or our daily lives. We must start a real revolution in our personal life habits!