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The cheap solar-powered car you might never need to charge [Video]

Electrek

Imagine a car that can charge using the sun, generate an income via a car-sharing scheme, and is also affordable to buy. more… The post The cheap solar-powered car you might never need to charge [Video] appeared first on Electrek. Sounds like a pipe dream, right?

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KU Leuven team creates solar panel that produces hydrogen from moisture in air

Green Car Congress

Bioscience engineers at KU Leuven have created a solar panel that produces hydrogen gas from moisture in the air. Twenty of these solar panels could provide electricity and heat for one family for an entire winter. A traditional solar panel converts between 18 to 20% of the solar energy into electricity.

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UK researchers use graphite to waterproof perovskite solar cells

Green Car Congress

Most solar cells currently on the market are made of silicon; these are expensive to make and require a lot of very pure silicon to manufacture. Perovskite solar cells, using materials with the same 3D structure as calcium titanium oxide, are cheaper to make, thinner and can be easily printed onto surfaces. —Poli et al.

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Caltech’s SSPD-1 Is a New Idea for Space-Based Solar

Cars That Think

Several recently published deep-dive analyses commissioned by NASA and the European Space Agency have thrown cold water on the hope that space solar power could affordably generate many gigawatts of clean energy in the near future. Ali Hajimiri is the codirector of Caltech’s space-based solar power project.

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PA Turnpike considers solar-powered EV charging stations

Teslarati

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is attempting to power its EV charging stations with solar power facilities along the highway. With cheap energy generation, one high cost of EV charging can be removed, assisting organizations in achieving profitability. The Turnpike has already constructed its first solar facility in Jeanette, capable of 1.3

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Heating Buildings With Solar Energy Stored in Sand

Cars That Think

In a region known for long, dark winter nights, Polar Night Energy is building a system in the city of Tampere that can heat buildings with stored solar energy — all day, all night, and all winter long. In this way, sand enables solar power to keep people warm, even during the darkest and coldest Finnish nights. Eronen says, laughing.

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The i4 EV is now the cheapest lease in BMW’s entire lineup

Baua Electric

Photo: BMW The all-electric BMW i4 is currently the most affordable car to lease in the German automaker’s lineup – gas cars included. BMW is a luxury automaker, so the i4 isn’t a cheap car. ad* If you’re an electric vehicle owner, charge up your car at home with rooftop solar panels. Get started here. –ad*

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