Solar

Energy | Re-use | Recycle | Reduce waste | Solar | Sustainable

Upcycling or Recycling of End-of-life Solar Panels
ByMildred Williams CEnv 20/08/202005/07/2026

The average photovoltaic (PV) solar panel has a lifespan of 25 years. Solar panels contain glass, polymers, aluminium, silicon, lead, cadmium, tellurium and gallium. These potentially hazardous materials require specialised waste treatment at the solar panels end-of-life. In 2016, the International Renewable Energy Agency estimated there were 250,000 tonnes of global solar panel waste. In…

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Ecology | Energy | Hydrogen | Recovery | Solar | Sustainable | Wind

Renewable Energy and the Future
ByMildred Williams CEnv 30/04/202005/07/2026

What is the future of renewable energy? Last week Planet of the Humans a documentary presented by Michael Moore and directed by Jeff Gibbs was released on YouTube. The documentary painted an alarming picture of renewable energy in the United States. We are not here to discuss money or politics. However, we cannot throw away…

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Construction | Plastics | Reduce waste | Solar | Sustainable | Wind

Earthship Homes Sustainable Living
ByMildred Williams CEnv 02/04/202025/02/2021

Earthship Homes use approximately 45 per cent recycled materials. Old tyres, glass bottles and drinks cans are all essential construction materials. Michael Reynolds the inventor and owner of Earthships Biotecture describes the buildings as vessels. “These vessels encounter the phenomena of the earth, to provide sustenance for people.” These vessels do everything for themselves, producing…

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Energy | Plastics | Solar

Bottle Light
ByMildred Williams CEnv 12/09/201909/02/2021

In 2002 Brazilian mechanic Alfredo Moser invented a way of illuminating his workshop without using electricity. He used a plastic bottle filled with water and some bleach. The lamp was able to give off as much light as a 40 to 60 watt light bulb. However this invention had limitations since it could not store…

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Ecology | Farming | Marine | Solar | Sustainable | Water

Nemo’s Garden – Noli Italy
ByMildred Williams CEnv 20/06/201901/12/2020

Nemo’s Underwater Garden is an eco-friendly and self-sustainable biosphere. It harnesses renewable energy from the sun and freshwater gained by the desalination of seawater. Temperature (of the surrounding seawater and the air inside the biosphere), sunlight illuminance and indoor humidity are the key factors allowing the plants to grow inside the biospheres. These underwater biospheres…

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Energy | Solar

Solektra
ByMildred Williams CEnv 18/04/201904/02/2021

Solektra provide various effective solutions for rural communities across Africa. Their projects include lighting through solar power, clean water and an academy. Comprising Akon Lighting Africa, Solar Energy Solutions by Solektra, Clean Water Solutions and the Solar Academy. Solektra launched a new website on 03/03/2020 the links above reflect this change.

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Energy | Solar | Sustainable

Smart Flower- Solar
ByMildred Williams CEnv 04/04/201928/01/2021

Smart Flower is solar technology from a natural design prospective. Mimicking the heliotropic properties of the sunflower. It tracks the movement of the sun throughout the day at an optimal angle.

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Construction | Ecology | Energy | Reduce waste | Solar | Sustainable | Water | Zero Waste

Off Grid Living – Sustainable Homes
ByMildred Williams CEnv 14/03/201905/07/2026

This off-grid tiny home on wheels generates its own solar power. They collect and store rainwater. Solar water heating is also available. Composts from human waste. Other organic wastes generate biogas for cooking.

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Energy | Solar

Night Solar Panels – Power from Raindrops
ByMildred Williams CEnv 07/02/201909/02/2021

These solar panels can harvest power from raindrops to boost efficiency both day and night. Expanding the potential for two sided solar panels.

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Energy | Recovery | Solar

Microgrids – Aardehuizen, The Netherlands
ByMildred Williams CEnv 10/01/201914/02/2021

In The Netherlands microgrid communities are pioneering a new approach to generating and sharing energy. This would mean neighbourhoods of the near future could produce their own renewable power.

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