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Solar power technology takes its next step

BBC News -- The technology behind solar energy is constantly evolving. Portable devices that charge up gadgets from the sun are becoming smaller and more powerful.

A new generation of portable solar chargers can plug straight into a laptop and provide up to a quarter of its power needs while in use.

The Solargorilla charger by Powertraveller, for instance, can also level out the electrical spikes caused when clouds obscure the sun.

Jerry Ranger, head of Powertraveller, says the charger is able to convert a high percentage of the sunlight's energy in a more compact way than previous devices.

"You can get the power output if you get a massive great big panel but clearly that's impractical so we've needed to get it down to a size that's portable," he told BBC Click.

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Submitted Nov 21, 2009 By: LetemEatCake

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LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,988 Points:768,630 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:43:11 PM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse lightbulbman2008 from Worcester... Of course, it doesn't have a thing to do with gas prices!. But if you will read the GB guidelines for article submissions, not only would you learn something, but you would also find that this article is well within the guidelines. On the other hand, if you are just posting for points....you need to do better!
dranske Champion Author Miami Posts:1,197 Points:876,760 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 9:06:30 PM Ignore dranske Report Abuse Interesting, isn't it...
Amtrgas Champion Author Oakland Posts:2,553 Points:1,231,420 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 8:58:35 PM Ignore Amtrgas Report Abuse This is really great technology.
heysailor Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:7,241 Points:1,869,185 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 8:41:51 PM Ignore heysailor Report Abuse Solar power has a bright future
nigelb Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,294 Points:960,545 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 8:16:22 PM Ignore nigelb Report Abuse Solar power has been slow to develop but hopefully this is changing. For anyone asking how this relates to oil prices the answer is simple - if solar can replace some oil usage, the demand for oil will drop!
dollarwatcher Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:5,565 Points:1,069,395 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 8:16:06 PM Ignore dollarwatcher Report Abuse These solar chargers aren't cheap either.
LilRedWagonIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:5,421 Points:1,105,825 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 8:13:07 PM Ignore LilRedWagonIN Report Abuse I want a very inexpensive, cost-effective solar roof panel that will provide more than enough power for household use and to charge the electric car batteries.
SUPERQUACK Champion Author Sacramento Posts:3,990 Points:1,487,715 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 8:11:20 PM Ignore SUPERQUACK Report Abuse SOUNDS GOOD
janctx Champion Author Lubbock Posts:2,715 Points:882,880 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 8:10:09 PM Ignore janctx Report Abuse instead of fuel stations we will have solar stations
lightbulbman2008 Champion Author Worcester Posts:188,000 Points:1,121,150 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 8:08:02 PM Ignore lightbulbman2008 Report Abuse at least solar is free and clean on good days.!!!!
lightbulbman2008 Champion Author Worcester Posts:188,000 Points:1,121,150 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 8:05:11 PM Ignore lightbulbman2008 Report Abuse how is this related to oil prices and oil related products?
Franck Veteran Author Oakland Posts:331 Points:488,020 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 7:34:02 PM Ignore Franck Report Abuse I believe it is inevitable that solar power will be the energy source of the future. The oil & coal companies will be powerless to stop it once the technology reaches the point where solar power becomes adequately efficient. The article gives me hope that this point is in the not too distant future.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,272 Points:1,143,275 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 7:31:07 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Hugo40: only to a degree. Today you can buy films that can be added to windows to make a glass/steel office building basically into one energy generating unit. The problem is the ubiquitous problem: cost.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,272 Points:1,143,275 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 7:29:56 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse yes, NightOwl, progress and hopefully it will help bring cost down for the rest of us.. I know my place is wired for solar when it's available.. smart meter is in place too :-D
Night Owl Champion Author Toronto Posts:5,271 Points:1,334,700 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 5:06:51 PM Ignore Night Owl Report Abuse "So previously we had around 15% efficiencies, we're now on the verge of getting 20%, and within the next 18 months we expect to deliver around 22% efficiencies" At least progress is being made.
NavyStore Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,769 Points:1,660,685 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 4:31:31 PM Ignore NavyStore Report Abuse Invest in American companies that will provide American jobs! It gives Americans economic & energy independence!! Plug Baby, Plug!!!
Hugo40 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:5,285 Points:1,153,500 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 4:10:24 PM Ignore Hugo40 Report Abuse The size of the solar panels is most certainly a problem.
milespergallon Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,503 Points:1,481,340 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 4:04:20 PM Ignore milespergallon Report Abuse Have to watch them closely, otherwise something or someone may get in their way to success!
Rt118E Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:6,719 Points:907,710 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 4:01:31 PM Ignore Rt118E Report Abuse Big Oil & OPEC will try to stop this. They may need back up fuel in England because it is not sunny all the time.
saturn96 All-Star Author Indiana Posts:633 Points:147,565 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 4:00:44 PM Ignore saturn96 Report Abuse This is great news, keep improving it.
roadjet Champion Author Baton Rouge Posts:12,162 Points:1,629,110 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:59:26 PM Ignore roadjet Report Abuse The Sun's energy is the most powerful power source in existance. So harvesting it for a power source seems logical and necessary. With technology gaining ground and breaking new envelopes every day, it is only a matter of time for a viable and affordable method is introduced and massly accepted.
04tang Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,244 Points:494,475 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:56:50 PM Ignore 04tang Report Abuse Sounds good to me.
CatMan623 Champion Author Houston Posts:12,473 Points:1,883,705 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:54:28 PM Ignore CatMan623 Report Abuse Keep innovating. The market will decide.
hank1326 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:6,701 Points:1,281,465 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:53:42 PM Ignore hank1326 Report Abuse Great news, let's make it work for the production line.
Desertbums Champion Author Tucson Posts:3,334 Points:316,780 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:45:15 PM Ignore Desertbums Report Abuse forward we go. A little bit at a time. I like this. Sounds like a good thing.
ramboTX Champion Author Dallas Posts:7,535 Points:1,341,810 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:39:11 PM Ignore ramboTX Report Abuse the direction we should be heading instead of electric
BrucePen Champion Author Ontario Posts:4,670 Points:976,555 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:38:02 PM Ignore BrucePen Report Abuse We are a long way from having solar power affordable on a large scale. But we are improving all the time.
my3sons Champion Author New York Posts:4,455 Points:1,506,535 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:37:14 PM Ignore my3sons Report Abuse we need this to be practical and inexpensive. If that happens many more people will invest in all types of solar equipment. i know I would switch if I could afford it.
tom11743 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:1,740 Points:423,495 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:36:03 PM Ignore tom11743 Report Abuse Sounds like a great idea.
pdcarver Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,289 Points:252,370 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:35:44 PM Ignore pdcarver Report Abuse They are on the right track. Smaller, better, cheaper.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,272 Points:1,143,275 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:33:02 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse guyincognitoNY: no, it's not far fetched. We've had "solar" aka photovoltaic cells for a long time. Can you even remember the first time you saw a pocket calculator with a "solar" panel embedded?
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,272 Points:1,143,275 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:31:54 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Road-Runner: even better, embed solar panels into vehicular roofs, or have small, but powerful panels at each parking slot.
Chazzy12 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,599 Points:641,985 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:30:59 PM Ignore Chazzy12 Report Abuse We'll need this stuff to recharge our electric cars, right?
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,272 Points:1,143,275 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:30:42 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse more solar, wind, power and hydrogen is good.
Road-Runner Champion Author Denver Posts:6,050 Points:1,702,695 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:30:00 PM Ignore Road-Runner Report Abuse Solar powered charging stations for all these electric cars? Easy. Require all parking lots to be equipped with carport roofs (topped with solar panels) for each parking space. Keeps the power source close to the user which is much more efficient that using transmission lines (which, thanks to friction, lose a huge amount of power to the atmosphere as heat) to bring power from distant locales.
niceguytx Champion Author Houston Posts:11,417 Points:2,252,120 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:28:23 PM Ignore niceguytx Report Abuse We need to better harness the sun. I would like more. I have had a solar calculator for 20 years, and love it; no batteries.
MikLamb Champion Author Texas Posts:5,648 Points:1,713,095 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:28:03 PM Ignore MikLamb Report Abuse Research and development can actually work!
amearly Champion Author Michigan Posts:9,760 Points:2,005,605 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:27:35 PM Ignore amearly Report Abuse When there really serious about this than maybe everyone can afford it.
Zeke33 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:3,873 Points:1,279,655 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:27:34 PM Ignore Zeke33 Report Abuse I like the sound of the laptop charger.
gass12 Champion Author Omaha Posts:6,177 Points:1,852,230 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:27:27 PM Ignore gass12 Report Abuse Anything to bring the price of Gas down -will this help?
TheSnowstorm Champion Author Montreal Posts:6,822 Points:1,475,325 Joined:June 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:26:42 PM Ignore TheSnowstorm Report Abuse teafortwo: very well said! Hay Cake, once a gain a terrific find! Keep 'em coming.
LuckyD43 Champion Author Long Island Posts:18,799 Points:1,733,260 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:23:17 PM Ignore LuckyD43 Report Abuse Hey, I have an idea. How about solar-powered charging stations for all those electric cars they plan to build? Just thinking........
cincidap Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,575 Points:694,250 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:22:49 PM Ignore cincidap Report Abuse I suppose that's good. In the long term, if it works, it will reduce oil demand which "should" lower gas prices.
Cruiser340 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:10,307 Points:2,328,265 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:20:33 PM Ignore Cruiser340 Report Abuse good ideas, but what does this have to do with gas prices?
BurntOrange Champion Author Austin Posts:5,952 Points:1,126,680 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:16:25 PM Ignore BurntOrange Report Abuse "A consortium of 12 European businesses plans to build a huge solar project in the Sahara desert. " How times change. In Europe, private business takes the lead. Here in the US, we expect the government to lead alternative energy efforts, using the tax dollars they removed from our pockets.
letmathe Champion Author Chicago Posts:12,426 Points:2,732,165 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:08:35 PM Ignore letmathe Report Abuse good ideas
teafortwo Champion Author Washington Posts:15,372 Points:924,230 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:07:26 PM Ignore teafortwo Report Abuse The secret is in the SCIENCE. The ENERGY is there and we have dedicated SCIENTISTS and ENGINEERS (and entrepreneurs) around the world working on figuring out how to efficiently and economically harness that energy. The technology is advancing DAILYas represented in this article. Terrific article Cake. Thanks for sharing ;0) FROM THE ARTICLE: The Canadian university installed sun canopies in the roof to direct light through tunnels in the ceilings above every floor. Each tunnel has a highly reflective coating to bounce the light round the building. When a cloud goes over, the fluorescent lights kick in to maintain brightness until the sun returns. Allen Upward, a research engineer at the University of British Columbia (UBC) said the system is seven times more effective than traditional solar methods. "As a system for lighting a building, it's far more effective than using solar panels to generate electricity and then turning that electricity back into light," he explained. The sun's potential remains under-exploited - the Earth gets 5,000 times more energy from the sun than we use in electricity. Solar farms have been popping up all over the world in an attempt to harness the green power on a mass scale. One solar farm in southern Spain has swapped panels for mirrors and is using the sun's heat rather than brightness to create electricity.
AJKPA Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:36,250 Points:1,097,580 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:05:30 PM Ignore AJKPA Report Abuse sun is free and wont run out like coal or oil
AJKPA Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:36,250 Points:1,097,580 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:05:00 PM Ignore AJKPA Report Abuse use the sun
hwmillerster Champion Author Missouri Posts:4,439 Points:1,006,395 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 21, 2009 3:04:44 PM Ignore hwmillerster Report Abuse Solar power is always going to have the 2 watts/cm^2 solar constant. To get anything higher you'd have to get closer to the sun.