[amor de cosmos]

too bad it's only an april fool's thing

Scientists Develop Solar-Powered Wind Turbine for Ultimate Energy Generation
by Timon Singh, 04/01/13

Why settle for one form of renewable energy when you can produce power with two? That’s exactly what scientists from the University of Liverpool have done by upgrading an everyday wind turbine with a new set of spinning solar blades. The team, led by Dr. Joe King, came up with the innovative solution to stymie critics who say wind turbines are “only useful when the wind is blowing” — their design doubles the functionality of traditional turbines by incorporating photovoltaic technology.

http://inhabitat.com/scientists-deve...-wind-turbine/

150 MW Solar Tender For Indonesia
April 1, 2013 in Solar Policy, Solar Projects

Indonesia is about to launch a tender for 150 MW of new solar photovoltaic (PV) energy. The tender is expected to be issued next month, leading to the installation of at least 150 MW of new PV plants in the sun-drenched country. The tender will last for two months.

Indonesia’s Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry (ESDM) is also planning a substantial new feed-in tariff (FiT). The new FiT will reportedly be up to $0.25 per kWh, and they will be applicable for 20 years.

Indonesia’s renewable energy growth is coming along at a decent pace. Just last year the country announced its goal of adding 4,000 to 5,000 MW of new geothermal energy capacity by 2015, and its eventual goal of 10,000 MW of geothermal capacity by 2025.

http://solarlove.org/150-mw-solar-tender-for-indonesia/

Plans approved for 20MW solar park at Dorset recycling facility
By Peter Bennett | 02 April 2013, 11:03 Updated: 02 April 2013, 12:55

Somerset-based British Solar Renewables has announced that it has secured planning permission for a 20MW solar park in Dorset.

The proposed solar development will be sited on land attached to a waste management and recycling facility close to Bournemouth International Airport in Parley.

The 49-hectare site is surrounded by established woodland and hedges which provide natural screening. British Solar Renewables will also plant native hedgerow to further minimise the visual impact of the site as well as encourage on-site biodiversity.

http://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/ne..._facility_2356

Solar panel robot doesn't need water to clean
Cleaning solar panels is tough work, but Miraikikai's duster bot apparently can get to all the nooks and crannies with its swiveling brush.
by Tim Hornyak
April 2, 2013 6:30 AM PDT

Saudi Arabia wants to spend over $100 billion to build vast solar arrays and reduce its dependency on oil to generate electricity. But desert sandstorms pose a major challenge to keeping solar panels clean and efficient.

Japanese startup Miraikikai is developing a solution to getting rid of this pesky dust and grit: a cleaning robot that doesn't need water.

The firm has produced the Wall Walker wall and ceiling robot, and recently unveiled a prototype solar panel cleaner built with researchers at Kagawa University.

It weighs about 24 pounds -- light enough to be carried by one person -- and measures about 22 inches across.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-...ater-to-clean/

Indian Scientists Propose Solar Roofs For Roads
April 2, 2013

After setting up the innovative canal solar power projects, India’s Gujarat state may also set up the first solar roof on road project. The proposal is to cover major roads and highways with elevated platforms which will be fitted with solar modules.

Scientists at the Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) have proposed a pilot solar power project at a Gujarat state highway. Through computer simulation the scientists believe that a solar roof cover on the 205 kilometre (km) Ahmedabad-Rajkot highway can generate 104 megawatts (MW).

The scientists have simulated the solar power generation potential for other major state and national highways as well:

• 93 km Ahmedabad-Vadodara highway has a potential of 61 MW solar power
• 5,839 km Golden Quadrilateral Highway that connects the four Indian metropolitan cities can host 4,418 MW through solar roof cover
• 7,300 km North-South-East-West Corridor highway which runs across the length and breadth of India can be covered with 5,524 MW of solar power capacity

http://cleantechnica.com/2013/04/02/...ofs-for-roads/