Solar Power

solar panels
Californians put a high priority into saving energy. (Image credit: Pujanak/Wikimedia)

Here, you'll find the latest news on solar power, including technologies like solar panels that collect the sun's rays and turn that light into energy.

Latest about solar power

Wind turbines generate electricity at the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm near Palm Springs, California.

Wind and solar power overtakes coal for the first time ever in the US

By Ben Turner published

Wind and solar power produced a combined 252 terawatt-hours in the first five months of 2023, compared with coal's output of 249 TWh

Renewable Energy
giant clam

Shiny Giant Clams May Inspire New Solar Tech

By Laura Geggel last updated

Mollusks
Solar panels

How do solar panels work?

By Michael Dhar, Ailsa Harvey published

Reference Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, providing an alternative, renewable energy source

Reference
Artist's conceptions of a solar power satellite, dubbed the Integrated Symmetrical Concentrator SPS concept.

Solar power stations in space could be the answer to our energy needs

By Amanda Jane Hughes, Stefania Soldini published

It sounds like science fiction.

Renewable Energy
A Boeing image shows the X-37B in its capsule before launch.

Why a microwave-beam experiment will launch aboard the Air Force’s secretive X-37B space plane

By Rafi Letzter published

There's a microwave power experiment heading to space Saturday (May 16) aboard the Air Force's secretive X-37B spaceplane. Researchers hope it could lead to a new global power source.

Space Exploration
Renewable Energy

How 139 Countries Could Be Powered by 100% Renewable Energy by 2050

By Tracy Staedter published

Scientists have published a detailed road map to move 139 countries to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050, according to a recent study.

Renewable Energy
Solar-Power Generation During Aug. 21, 2017 Eclipse

Solar Power Dipped Along Great American Solar Eclipse Path (Video)

By Thomas Howell published

Solar power took a dip in the United States when the total eclipse swept across the country Monday (Aug. 21), as a new video shows.

Renewable Energy
A close-up photo of one of Physee's installed PowerWindows at Amsterdam's main business district.

More Than a View: Windows Double as Solar Panels

By Tereza Pultarova published

Renewable Energy
Air pollution has covered solar panels at a university with grime.

Air Pollution May Make Solar Panels Less Efficient

By Jasmin Malik Chua published

From inefficient grids, shortfalls in policy, and even an eclipse, solar-energy collection faces no shortage of hurdles. Scientists have discovered another stumbling block: air pollution. 

Pollution
As of February 2017, Longyangxia Dam Solar Park in China is considered the world's largest solar farm.

4 Million Solar Panels Seen from Space

By Brian Kahn published

On the Tibetan Plateau in eastern China, 4 million solar panels silently soak up the sun as part of the Longyangxia Dam Solar Park.

Renewable Energy
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