Photovoltaic cells - basics

 Photovoltaics #PV# is a method in which electrical power is generated by conversion of solar radiation into direct current electricity with the usage of photovoltaic semiconductors.  Photovoltaic power is generated mainly by solar panels composed of a series of PV cells. 

Materials presently in use for photovoltaics include mono-crystallinesilicon (used in manufacturing of high performance solar cells that are more expensive to produce than their

polysilicon counterparts), polycrystalline silicon(material consisting of small silicon crystallites converted into

a single solar grade silicon), amorphous silicon (non-crystalline allotropic form of silicon; deposited in thin

films at low temperatures onto a variety of surfaces, providing unique capabilities for various electronic devices), copper indium sulfide and cadmium telluride (usually conjoined together with cadmium sulfide to form a p-n junction PV solar cell).

Here are a couple of videos for you to better understand the process:

Solar powered Fujitsu laptop - Green design.

Lifebook Leaf is a concept laptop that embodies the latest environment-friendly trends in technology to renovate the production of laptops in the future. This laptop, conceptualized by designers Laura Karnath and Carl Burdick, was shortlisted from more than 1000 designs submitted for the “Fujitsu design award: A life with future computing”, organized by Designboom in collaboration with Fujitsu.

The laptop runs on solar power. It consists of one OLED touchscreen that can be spread out as a flat display, or folded like a laptop. OLED displays function without a backlight, giving them the freedom to be thinner and less heavy than liquid crystal displays.

How does OLED work?

A Layer of organic material is sandwiched between two conductors - (an anode and a cathode), which in turn are sandwiched between a glass top plate “seal” and a glass bottom plate “substrate”. When electric Current is applied to the two conductors, a bright, electro-luminescent light is produced directly from the organic material.

Why is OLED technology “the future of displays”?

Blazing fast response times, wide viewing angles, exceptional color reproduction, outstanding Contrast levels, and high Brightness. The nature of its technology lends itself to extremely thin and lightweight designs along with the ability to use it in a variety of different applications.

 -To prevent scratches on the touchscreens folded on the inside, the interior of laptop is made from rubber. It's exterior is made from polycarbonate, a material known to be optically sensitive and shatterproof. The exterior doubles up a solar cell that can be charged when the device is folded open and placed upside down.

To communicate with other devices, the laptop integrates a 4G adapter for wireless Internet access. A small OLED panel located at the back of the device alerts users of messages or alerts received during charging. A waterproof zipper prevents damage caused by contact with water.

Designers planned for three cameras to be built into the top of the device so that 3D photography and depth sensing is possible. That way, the laptop can be controlled with gestures as well as with the touchscreen. The designers hope that with more efficient solar panels, the device will be able to generate enough spare power to charge other devices via USB.

Green energy news: Japan

Nuclear power plants supplied approximately 30% of Japan’s electricity. Their government planned to raise that ceiling to 50% by the year 2030.

Naoto Kan, Japanese prime minister, in a press conference held last week declared that his country will have to “start from scratch” on it’s long term energy policy after the Fukushima Dai Ichi nuclear power plant disaster. 

Just to remind you, this power plant was heavily damaged this March, after which it started leaking radiation. Damage was caused by a tsunami - triggered by a massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck about 400 km (250 miles) north-east of Tokyo.

Mr. Kan said in news conference that nuclear and fossil fuel used to be the only pillars of Japanese energy policy, but now the government will add two more pillars: renewable energy such as solar, wind and biomass, and and will increase it's focus on conservation. "We will thoroughly ensure safety for nuclear power generation and make efforts to further promote renewable energy, an area where Japan has lagged", he said.

On Friday, Prime Minister Kan asked Chubu Electric Power to halt operations at its plant in Hamaoka (120 miles south of Tokyo).

Mr Naoto Kan said that three reactors sit in an area due for an earthquake, and new safety measures need to be put in place.

This shutdown may result in power disruptions to very important manufacturers including Toyota Motor. 

Chubu Electric stock fell as much as 14% at one point on Monday, pulling with it other major electricity and gas shares.