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Solar Cell Breakthrough?

Series: January 2009 - Isla Earth Radio Series
From: Pat Maxwell
Length: 00:01:30

The biggest power plant on earth is high in the sky -- it’s the sun. But, we only get one percent of our energy from it because it typically costs more than other sources of power. Read the full description.

Inlay2_small The biggest power plant on earth is high in the sky -- it’s the sun.  But, we only get one percent of our energy from it because it typically costs more than other sources of power. A Dutch researcher wants to change that.  Martin Aagesen has developed a material called “nano flakes” he believes could make solar energy more competitive. Engineered at the molecular level using nano technology, he says nanoflakes have “the potential to convert 30 percent of solar energy into electricity -- which is twice what we can convert today...” 

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Also in the January 2009 - Isla Earth Radio Series series

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Nature builds neighborhoods in the most interesting places. Caves, for example, are pretty spectacular neighborhoods.
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Wind Turbine Warning? (00:01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell

With wind turbine blades approaching 90 feet in length whipping around at 150 miles an hour, they’ve been called everything from “raptor-matics” to “cuisinarts of the sky.” ...
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Saving Taz (00:01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell

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Piece Description

The biggest power plant on earth is high in the sky -- it’s the sun.  But, we only get one percent of our energy from it because it typically costs more than other sources of power. A Dutch researcher wants to change that.  Martin Aagesen has developed a material called “nano flakes” he believes could make solar energy more competitive. Engineered at the molecular level using nano technology, he says nanoflakes have “the potential to convert 30 percent of solar energy into electricity -- which is twice what we can convert today...” 

Additional Credits

Isla Earth is produced by the Catalina Island Conservancy with support from its Fund for a Sustainable Planet.