Apple is Seeking for Engineer Experienced in Thin-Film Solar Technology

         A new listing on Apple's website suggests Apple could be looking to add solar technology into mobile devices. Discovered by 9to5Mac, the listing outlines a candidate that needs to be experienced with thin-film technologies and refinement of how that technology integrates with electronic systems. This could also potentially point to future Apple products having solar charging capabilities.
        In the past, Apple has filed for patents pertaining to the use of solar assemblies directly in a smartphone display, and the company has already made clear its desire to use panels at its Spaceship campus. Hiring someone on with extensive solar and semiconductor experience could help Apple on a path toward having their mobile devices that harness the sun. Simply imagine if there were all Apple products having solar charging capabilities, how wonderful that would be to not worry about your phone dying on the most crucial moments (especially when everyone is on their phones 24/7).

Apple's spaceship campus

Researchers Double Efficiency of See-Through Cells

        Researchers at UCLA have developed a new type of see-through solar cell that could be used applicably on windows, car sunroofs, smartphone screens and other transparent surfaces that can harvest energy from the sun. First developed in the year 2012, the researchers currently have almost doubled the efficiency of the solar cell, approaching the subject of commercial visibility very closely.
        The solar device is compromised of two thin polymer solar cells that can be made in shades from light green and gray to brown, which helps to camouflage them within the colors of surfaces on buildings and other structures. The solar cells absorb more light, harvest light and use the energy from a wider point-of-view, and incorporates a variety of materials between the two solar cells to reduce energy loss. The technology had previously had an efficiency level of only 4% but the UCLA team has brought the efficiency level to 7.3%.

Wysips Glass Technology could be the next big thing

A French start-up company is testing a transparent screen that is planned to use solar energy in powering up the phone's battery life by 20%. SunPartner Groups are expecting to see the Wysips panels on phones starting next year. The panel is expected to be less than half a millimeter thick and can be built into the phone or on top of an existing screen.

SunPartner currently reported that the screen is 90% transparent but is a step ahead towards many more expensive transparent solar cells, in which it absorbs infrared instead of pure sunlight for the screen's visibility. Boost of power from the sun would essentially be useful in disastrous situations preventing use of our cell phones being charged. Phones equipped with the Wysips panels could definitely change the world, especially once being built into cars, buildings, or even billboards in the future.

Portable Solar Phone Charger for only $5..Really?

      Instructables user ASCAS has shared a project with worldwide viewers on how to make a solar-powered phone charger for simply $5. It's as small as a smartphone and does not include a back-up battery, which is more of a hassle to carry than being environmental friendly. ASCAS has tested the device on both Apple and Android devices and it has performed well with both devices.

       Materials include a 6V Mini Solar Panel, a torn apart 12V USB charger unit, the smartphone (for testing), phone's charger cable, and a flexible and foldable plastic card. With these materials, you will need a hot glue gun, a 30W soldering iron, and a leatherman multitool. You will need to assemble the parts together and also add a stand onto the solar panel to charge your phone with convenience. 

Clear instructions complete with photos are to be shown here. 

Solar Project Development - There's an app for that!

       In these days where technology is constantly advancing in society, there has continuously been many varieties of apps in the market that may satisfy anyone's needs. Even solar installers and developers have thought of the idea that they should possibly develop their own app (as business is usually operated when you choose to accommodate the needs of the public, which also includes the topic of conveniently having your services be available).
       A recently developed app, known as Solar Site Design (SSD), happens to be a free app available to anyone that may possess a smartphone or any smart electronic device. The app, in essence, is a project management solution for solar professionals in that it helps streamline the project development process by enabling mobile data gathering and uploading project specifications to the content management system. The data for all active projects is, then, available anywhere and anytime (either with the app or on a web browser) so that solar installers and solar professionals are able to view the files on hand.
       Solar Site Design's aim is to reduce the "soft costs" of solar project development by streamlining the process of acquiring new customers and having convenient access to local utility processing and any paperwork required. Project professionals can also input data, pictures, and even videos of the solar site during project walk-throughs and accessibility through the app or the website.
       According to Eco Branding, a company specialized in providing marketing services to clean-tech and sustainable businesses, they compliment the use of SSD as follows:

    Typically, installers will visit each site multiple times, and files permitting and municipality regulations in order to get all the requisite information for feasibility drawings. However, with SSD's free application, installers are guided through a data collection process at their initial sales visit with home or business owners. Once all the data is synced to the Solar Site Design interface, SSD's team of solar engineers look over the data and prepare a feasibility report for the installers. Depending on the scale of the project, the report can take between 2 and 5 business days. This technology reduces costs for contractors and makes it easier to acquire more customers.

A Hospital Running on Solar Power?

       Have you ever heard of a hospital running on solar power technology? Well, if you haven't, there apparently is one in Haiti. It's called "Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais," known as HUM, and because of the generous donations from Boston-based nonprofit Partners in Health, it was made possible.

As you can see here, the roof of the hospital is entirely covered with solar panels in this newly constructed hospital, featuring a total of 300 beds for hospitality.

   It actually serves as a great benefit for Haiti, due to their instability when the power grid is concerned. In Mirebalais, a rural town in Haiti, it is claimed that power goes out on an average of 3 hours per day. Because of this dilemma, many patients, undergoing surgeries, can constantly be jeopardized as well as other tasks performed in hospitals. Thus, they decided to go solar as many corporations in other nations have.

      The hospital is officially opening in March but before their official opening, the solar panels on the rooftops have received 139 megawatt hours of electricity, which is enough to charge 22 million smartphones and offset 72 tons of coal. With this excess amount of electricity, it will be fed back to Haiti's national power grid, giving a much-needed boost to their power sources. Amazing on how solar panels can just make a huge impact for a nation, huh?

Iphone 4/4s powered by the SUN!

Love traveling and you hate to see your phone dead half the time? Well worry no more Mobius developed a case equipped with a solar panel on the back of the case that charges your phone with 25 minutes of talktime from just being let out on the sun for 1 hour. The case is also attached with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, in which it could be used as a backup. You can purchase one here for $60.