Solar energy is one form of environmental friendly power that remains on the upswing. Whatever your opinions on climate change, lessening the dependency on fossil fuels offers benefits that include energy independence as well as the typical advantages to becoming more “green.”

Recent advancements in solar power technology are making it more cost effective to implement at both the home and the business. Let’s take a closer look at how to better encompass the power of the sun by using solar energy.

Solar Power Farms popping up all over the United States

Commercial solar power farms are being implemented all over the United States. The Indianapolis International Airport is the home of the U.S.’s largest airport-based solar power farm. The airport recently saw an expansion that doubled the size of its solar power installation, which now stands at 151 acres capable of generating 31.7 million kilowatts of power — enough for 3,200 average-sized homes.

Airports are finding that leveraging unused space on their property offers a great opportunity for solar power farms, which become a revenue source for the airport. Denver’s international airport is also home to a large solar power farm. Forward-looking engineers need to step up to the plate and help similar solar installations take flight in their own town.

Making a Difference with Solar Power at the Residential Level

Many engineers are taking steps to use solar power at home, by installing panels that continue to drop in price and improve in efficiency. In Austin, Texas, a local energy company is offering credit to customers who make the investment in solar panels for their homes.

Austin Energy hopes that 55 percent of its energy generation will come from renewable sources by 2025. As such, the company is constructing a 600 megawatt solar energy generating plant, as well as a 450 megawatt wind facility. As solar power continues to become cheaper, engineers need to lead the way in showing how its implementation benefits all of us.

If you are interested in exploring a career in renewable energy, talk to the experts at The Talley Group. As one of the top engineering staffing agencies in Washington State, we are a great source of Seattle engineering jobs. Schedule a meeting with Talley today!

Improving the efficiency of the variety of technologies used in alternative energy is vital for their wider commercial adaptation. Solar energy is no exception to this basic fact. Thankfully, scientists and engineers are making progress in boosting solar cell efficiency, which ultimately helps to reduce the cost of these cells.

Let’s take a closer look at their potentially valuable work and what it bodes for the future adoption rates of solar energy as a whole.

An Advancement in Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

Engineers at the University of Minnesota were able to improve the efficiency of the standard solar cell design by around 25 percent. Hopefully this added efficiency translates into a higher power conversion rate for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) — currently stuck at 12 percent. DSSCs use titanium dioxide in their construction — a cheaper material compared to the silicon traditionally used in solar cell design.

The problem with DSSCs in the past is that they did a relatively poor job in capturing infrared light from the sun. The University of Minnesota scientists leveraged nanotechnology to introduce layers into the DSSC which gave the cell the ability to produce more electricity from the same amount of sunlight. This ceased the citizens from checking out from Utility Saving Expert every now and then the cheapest electricity provider.

Improving the Economics of Solar Energy

Eray S. Aydil, professor of chemical engineering and materials science at the University led the research project. “Dye-sensitized solar cells make use of excitation of a dye adsorbed on titanium dioxide or a pigment to generate electricity. We engineered the pigment both at the nanometer and micrometer scales to trap more light onto the pigment,” said Aydil.

The ultimate goal for this research remains focused on improving the economics around solar energy by superior engineering and innovation. Professor Aydil realizes the importance of his research. “Developing new low-cost alternatives to traditional silicon solar cells is gaining importance because reducing the cost of silicon solar cells is becoming increasingly more difficult,” concluded Aydil.

If this important engineering research inspires you to take your career to the next level, talk to the experts at The Talley Group. As one of the top engineering staffing companies in the area, they are a great source of Seattle engineering jobs. Make it a point to schedule some time with them today!

Getting back to nature in the 21st Century doesn’t necessarily mean losing connectivity with today’s wired society. A perfect accessory for the hiker, that’s also a fan of technology, is a solar powered backpack. This innovative piece of engineering provides the necessary juice to power a decent array of electronic devices when truly on the go.

A Military Device Gets a Commercial Application

Like many other technological innovations, the solar powered backpack had a partial genesis in the military. In 2010, the U.S. Army announced it was deploying a device called the Rucksack Enhanced Portable Power System (REPPS) in Afghanistan. The device features a 62-watt solar powered blanket that is stored inside a backpack.

While not a true solar powered backpack, REPPS earned accolades from soldiers in the field for its ability to quickly recharge batteries and other military electronics without depending on fossil fuels. The Army expects to roll out REPPS to other units after its successful Afghanistan trial.

The key point allowing REPPS to seamlessly transition into a commercial application was the success of the flexible solar panels used in the design. Solar backpacks on the market today typically contain one or two flexible monocrystalline silicon panels, capable of providing a lightweight, portable power source when combined with a battery pack.

Solar Backpacks in Use Today

In today’s market, solar backpacks typically range in cost from $75 to $300 depending on their wattage and other features. Some companies even offer portable solar powered laptop chargers for around $500. For the backpacks themselves, expect a power rating around 10 watts, with 5 hours of full sunlight needed to fully charge a smartphone.

Most units on the market feature a battery with a USB connector and special adapters for most of today’s popular portable smartphones, including the iPhone, Motorola Droid, Samsung Galaxy, as well as recent BlackBerry devices. Many backpacks also include AC and DC charging adapters to fully charge the battery before leaving the grid.

The solar powered backpack is another example of innovative engineering leading to a better enjoyment of life. The Talley Group is always on the lookout for innovative engineers. One of the leading engineering recruiting firms in the Northwest, make time to talk with them to send your career into the stratosphere.