Thinking about investing in a solar array but concerned about the lifespan of photovoltaic cells? Consider this: the world’s oldest solar panel — a 60 year-old crystal ball-like contraption — still works. The panel was built by a British science teacher who wanted to prove the novel idea that sunlight could be converted into electricity.

Of course, the panel doesn’t produce much electricity–just 1.5 volts of electricity in direct sunlight, or enough to power a digital watch. And while today’s panels only need indirect sunlight to function, the 60 year-old version requires direct sunlight. Still, the selenium-based panel is surprisingly similar to current models.

The half century-old device is the first example of a modern solar panel, but it isn’t the first piece of solar technology. That distinction goes to Charles Fritts, who built the first solar cell in 1883. Want to check out the panel for yourself? It’s currently on display at Antiques for Everyone, a British antique event.

Via UK Daily Mail

Read More: http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/04/08/worlds-first-modern-solar-panel-still-works-after-60-years/

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Solar Decathlon team will hold several events this week to showcase its project: a student-designed solar home that will compete internationally this summer.

The events culminate in an open house Friday where the public can tour the home that will compete in Solar Decathlon Europe, an international competition designed to advance innovation and research in solar, sustainable and industrialized housing.

The Project: RE: FOCUS team will encourage the UF community to “Make a Change, Not a Footprint” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Plaza of the Americas with an expo featuring solar panels, renderings of the home, the home’s floor plan staked out to scale, and other information on the project.

On Thursday morning, Project RE:FOCUS will take over the 34th Street wall to inspire the Gainesville community members to make a small change in their lives to reduce their carbon footprint.

Friday’s open house will feature tours of the home, information about the project and presentations by College of Design, Construction and Planning Dean Christopher Silver, team leader and building construction professor Robert Ries and student team leader and doctoral student Dereck Winning.

“The Solar Decathlon gives students from across the university the opportunity to work together on a real-world project, and Friday will be the first opportunity for the team to present their work to the sponsors and the community,” Ries said.

The open house will take place at the UF Solar Energy Park, 2610 S.W. 23rd Terrace, from 3 to 6 p.m., with the presentations delivered at 3:15 p.m. Those who attend are encouraged to carpool to promote sustainability and due to limited parking.

The UF team, comprised of more than 125 students from four colleges and eight disciplines, will compete in Madrid this June in 10 categories that include solar power, innovation, sustainability and communication. The team’s entry fuses innovation with the design of the historic Florida Cracker House to further the field of solar energy and inspire solutions for sustainable living that fit market needs.

For updates on the house, visit http://www.floridasolardecathlon.org/

Writing Credits: Kathryn Watson

Solar FIT program was the first of its kind in the US

November 6, 2009

The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) announced Gainesville Regional Utilities as the winner of the SEPA Award for Solar Business Achievement in the area of Community Outreach and Public Awareness last week. GRU was recognized during SEPA’s Annual Membership Meeting in Anaheim, Calif.

SEPA selected GRU and the other award nominees from the 700 SEPA member utilities and solar companies. SEPA Executive Director Julia Hamm applauded GRU’s tireless work in raising awareness of the solar feed-in-tariff program locally and among the utility and solar industries.

GRU’s Solar FIT program was the first of its kind in the US. Based on highly successful models in Europe, it offers GRU electric customers a chance to invest in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and sell electricity directly to the utility under a contract for 20 years at a fixed price.

“Gainesville Regional Utilities has moved itself to the forefront of photovoltaic development in the Southeast with its new feed-in-tariff program, which required both customer and solar industry involvement and ‘learning while doing’ as part of its development,” Hamm said.

GRU’s Solar FIT program will add 20 megawatts of solar electricity to GRU’s power supply within 5 years. GRU has received enough completed applications to reach the utility’s annual target of 4 megawatts through 2016.

The main measure of solar system performance is energy production. Understanding what factors affect the solar array energy production may be helpful in determining optimum performance. The factors include: Amount of Sunlight, Ambient Temperature, Orientation of Solar Array Surface, Tilt Angle of Solar Array, Voltage Drop in Wiring, Inverter Efficiency in Power Conversion, Obstructions Which Shade Solar Array, Dust, Dirt, Leaves etc. on Solar Array Surface. If you have any questions regarding these factors please feel free to use this blog as an avenue to post and discuss these topics. I will do my best to provide you with accurate information in a timely manner.
Pure Energy Solar,
Director of Engineering