3D Printing can indeed help the Solar Power Industry too!

     The exact definition of the term "3-Dimension Printing" would be referred to as a process of making a three-dimensional solid object of virtually any shape of a digital model by using an additive process, which is the process of layers of material being laid down successively in different types of forms. Since the 21st century has begun, 3D printing has been used increasingly in various types of industries in society such as jewelry, dentistry, prototyping and even human organs.
     Energy strategist John Licata, whom also founded Blue Phoenix Inc., an independent energy and metals research company, comments his enthusiasm in seeing potential of how 3D printing can revolutionize solar panel and photovoltaic (PV) cell manufacturing. In this present stage of the rising solar power industry, it is accurate to point out that solar panels is somewhat lacking in energy storage and thus, solar cells must be developed to be more sustainable.
     With this complexity of solar power, John Licata has brought to our attention of possibly producing 3D solar cells, which, in turn, can capture more sunlight directly than with conventional PV cells. He believes that "they are more precise (using copper, indium, gallium, selenide: CIGS), less complex and has less weight." Researchers in Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) believe they can be 20% more efficient than solar panels.
     Another key factor he points out is the cost, which if 3D printing is successful in producing more efficient solar cells, it could drop the production cost by 50% (because they wouldn't be using costly materials as glass, poly-silicon, or indium). Not only this but he believes it would provide us more convenience in the future because it may be able to produce extremely thin solar cells onto paper, plastic or even fabric instead of the expensive glass used in solar panels. This, he theorizes, would help produce mass appeal for solar energy if it can be turned into wearable high-tech clothing, radios or other electronics. Perhaps in the future, we may find 3D printing incorporated with the use of solar power energy, who knows what the future holds for us.

Argentina builds Most Powerful Solar Energy Park in Latin America!

      In the Argentinan province of San Juan, the government has authorized to develop what will be the most powerful solar energy park in Latin America. Already Brazil, Germany, and Spanish companies have been expected to invest in the project, which has an estimated price tag of $120 million, in which the provincial government of San Juan has agreed to invest $15 million to $20 million in the project.
      According to a Spanish news source Cronista, the solar park has been producing between 1500 and 2400 megawatts of energy, making it the biggest single producer of solar energy throughout all South American and Latin American countries.
       There is a landmark in Argentina that is also remarkable to many tourists; it is known as the Bueno Aires landmark, the solar-powered Floralis Generica. This landmark is a large metallic sculpture that opens its petals with the sun at morning and closes them at night. For a country that has not exploited its solar power potential to any great extent, it seems there is a promising future in terms of renewable energy for Argentina.

A Bueno Aires landmark, the solar-powered Floralis Generica

South Korea envisions solar clad bridge in the future

The near future is coming; countries all over the world are finding ways to produce energy in an infinite amount like a endless cycle of energy that can never diminish. Natural gas will soon be the end of days while people will turn their shoulders towards a new approach, followed by large sums of investors, following a new market trend that will soon go towards wind, solar, and hydrogen powered technology that will change the world. Seems like South Korea is a step ahead, envisioning a solar powered bridge stretching across the famous Han River, powered by solar panels all over it, juicing up malls, museums, libraries, and other public recreational structures. Walking through the Brooklyn Bridge, in my opinion, felt amusing with the amazing view of New York but seeing this makes me think, America needs to catch up with their technology. 

Hi and Welcome to SolarEcon

     Let me introduce myself, the name's Lee and I saw a vision of SolarEcon being the key factor to our everyday life. In our present age, we had been led towards the mobile and tablet world, requiring electricity that we all love and rely on. Why not have a world of infinite renewable energy powering our electronics and appliances?
     Beginning with the use of coals that accompanied the Industrial Revolution, development of solar energy in the 1860's had brought many Americans hope. Though it hadn't lasted long, solar technology had dropped drastically during the 20th century and had been brought back up 20% and has been rising after the 1973 Oil Embargo and the energy crisis.
     Development of solar equipment such as solar panels, solar powered backpacks or even solar powered cars will be the future towards our everyday lifestyle and well being for the health and the beneficial factor to our environment on the earth that we love and live in. Lets bring that lifestyle to the test, shall we?