http://thesolarpanel.tru-net.com Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:28:34 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Solar panels might not look as we thought they will after a few years. SkyFuel is showing us that we don't need big solar panels to convert the sun's energy. Why it's important: It's said to be cheaper then other kinds of solar panels It's called a linear power tower 150-foot diameter half-pipe  ... http://thesolarpanel.tru-net.com/2008/10/a-new-perspective-on-solar-panels/ The Product: Solar Powered Bra This makes women more "green" ? The solar panels, as you can see on the image are placed somewhere on the belly, which captures and redistributes solar power. The producer says it can power an iPod or a mobile phone. And you want to hear the funniest part? It ... http://thesolarpanel.tru-net.com/2008/09/solar-powered-bra-i-wonder-whos-gonna-wear-those/ The news: Ikea to sell solar panels Why it’s important: An investment of nearly $77 million is always welcome. Not only solar panels are in the plan. Ikea GreenTech plans to focus on five areas — solar panels, alternative light sources, product materials, energy efficiency, and water saving and purification. The group said the ... http://thesolarpanel.tru-net.com/2008/09/even-ikea-sells-solar-panels/ The news: Turning heat into usable energy seems to be a new idea but it has been the base of the solar panel creation and now we're going back to the basics. Hot asphalt might be the next big thing when it comes to alternative energy. Why it’s important: According to ecogeek.org: Researchers in Massachusetts ... http://thesolarpanel.tru-net.com/2008/09/solar-panels-have-a-new-rival/ The news: The Zephyr was able to manage an 84 hour flight, thanks to its solar powered batteries and breaks previous record of 30 hours. Why it’s important: This plane can be used by the military as a spy-plane giving them the possibility to keep the plane in the air during night ... http://thesolarpanel.tru-net.com/2008/08/record-broken-solar-powered-plane-breaks-30-hours-record/ In case you didn't know, the Federal Government is paying rebates for solar panels but the original allocation for this year is close to be exhausted next month. The news: Government has decided to keep paying the rebate, potentially blowing out the cost of the program, which was given $25.6 million for ... http://thesolarpanel.tru-net.com/2008/08/will-solar-rebates-still-exist/ The news: The catalyst, used in conjunction with cheap photovoltaic solar panels, could lead to inexpensive, simple systems that use water to store the energy from sunlight. Why it’s important: Batteries are way too big and expensive, so transforming the electricity generated through solar energy into a fuel might be a cheaper ... http://thesolarpanel.tru-net.com/2008/08/water-could-be-the-answer/ The news: Scientists believe that plastic sheets containing billions of nano-antennas that collect heat energy generated by the sun and other sources could dramatically improve the use of a type of energy we are all aware of, but have no use for so far – heat. That makes me think about changing ... http://thesolarpanel.tru-net.com/2008/08/bye-bye-solar-panels-welcome-nano-antennas/ News: Harvesting solar power from space could be the future. Why it's important: Since satellites in high Earth orbits are unaffected by earth’s shadows, the energy would be available every day without fail. The robotic technology to create solar satellites is not yet available, and someone has to take care of the billion dollar ... http://thesolarpanel.tru-net.com/2008/08/outer-space-could-be-the-answer/ The news: A team of Chinese researchers has determined that carbon nanotubes are the crucial chemical ingredient that could make artificial photosynthesis possible in the future. Why it's important: Such a system would comprise of a donor molecule that can absorb visible light and release many electrons, and a receiver molecule capable of ... http://thesolarpanel.tru-net.com/2008/07/artificial-photosynthesis-possible-in-the-future/