SunShot to decrease cost of solar energy
The US Department of Energy’s SunShot Program aims to cut the cost of generating solar energy to around 6 US cents per kiloWatt hour – which would allow super-cheap solar production to roll out across the nation. SunShot will work to bring down the full cost of solar – including the costs of the solar cells and installation – by focusing on four main pillars: Technologies for solar cells and arrays that convert sunlight to energy; Electronics that optimise the performance of the installation; Improvements in the efficiency of solar manufacturing processes; Installation, design and permitting for solar energy systems. Energy Matters
Germany sells vision for ‘green toys’ to world
The hottest "green" toy in Germany isn’t made of organic or recycled materials. That’s so 2010. This one has a solar panel and only runs if kids remember to insert bright red "energy stones" that power the rest of the space station. Germany, a pioneer in many renewable energy initiatives, is also at the forefront of creating environment-friendly toys aimed at making kids think about where energy comes from and how much of it they can use, raising awareness through play. The Washington Post
Solar technology obtains energy using crystals
Power from a rock. That is how Ben Santarris describes the process his company, Solarworld, uses to transform sunlight into electricity. The company uses silicon, melting it until it forms a white-hot liquid, then re-fuses the molten silicon into a giant crystal in which all atoms are perfectly aligned in a desired structure and orientation. The Williamson Daily News
Largest multi-effect desalination plant
A contract to build what is said to be the world’s largest multi-effect desalination plant was signed between the Saudi Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) and South Korea’s Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction. The US$124 million agreement envisages the unit will have a capacity of 68,190 cubic metres per day. Once completed in the middle of 2012, the plant is expected to supply potable water to 150,000 to 200,000 people. Utilities-ME.com