One of the most instantly recognizable features of glass is the way it reflects light. But a new way of creating surface textures on glass, developed by researchers at MIT, virtually eliminates reflections, producing glass that is almost unrecognizable because of its absence of glare — and whose surface causes water droplets to bounce right off, like tiny rubber balls.

Global clean energy finance and investment grew to $263 billion in 2011, a 6.5 percent increase over the previous year, according to new research released by The Pew Charitable Trusts. Among Group of Twenty (G-20) nations, the United States reclaimed the top spot from China, which led the global clean energy race since 2009. Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and India were also among the nations that most successfully attracted private investments last year.

Yes, the Germans Are Cutting Solar PV Tariffs. Yes, the Solar PV Tariffs Do Need to Be Cut. In the run-up to the 11 March anniversary of the Fukushima reactor meltdown, the steady drip of anti-renewables articles in the mainstream media will become a torrent as the nuclear lobby cranks up its public relations machine. And they're taking aim at European feed-in tariffs, no doubt because of their success. Germany is particularly in their cross-hairs because of its massive development of renewable energy over the past two decades and Germany's plan to close all its reactors for good.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute have succeeded in using their femtosecond laser pulse technology to double the efficiency of black silicon solar cells. Black silicon solar cells make it possible to harness the infrared spectrum in sunlight for power generation. The infrared part makes up around one third of the spectrum and cannot be harnessed by conventional types of solar cell.

A projected Q/Q rise of 22% in the Q4’11 European photovoltaic market is providing a welcome temporary boost for downstream solar companies. However, this growth rate still leaves significant corporate challenges in the management of the tumultuous slowdown this year in the world’s largest regional photovoltaic market. The downstream challenge in 2012 will be effective management of a new pricing environment, against a backdrop of declining incentives and still-to-be-realized grid parity economics.

The German electricity sector was liberalised in 1998 with a new energy law (Energiewirtschaftsgesetz, EnWG). The German regulation authority for the energy market is the so called Bundesnetzagentur. lt is supposed to guarantee competition in the electricity and gas supply markets. Since the late nineties, a number of additional regulations have come into force to stimulate competition. The electricity market is divided into the areas of production, transmission and distribution.

General Situation: Stable overall Market Size, but Decrease in Market Size in major Countries. In the year 2010, the wind capacity reached worldwide 196 630 Megawatt, alter 159 050 MW in 2009, 120 903 MW in 2008, and 93 930 MW in 2007. Investment in new wind turbines saw a decline in many parts of the world. For the first time in more than two decades, the market for new wind turbines was smaller than in the previous year and reached an overall size of 37 642 MW, alter 38 312 MW in 2009. China accounted for more than half of the world wind market 2010. Without taking into account China, the world market shrank by one third and decreased from 24 512 MW to 18 714 MW.

Blessed with abundant sunshine and a supportive political structure, California is positioned to add 7.5 gigawatts (GW) of installed power from photovoltaic (PV) sources during the period of 2010 to 2015, further ensuring that the state remains America’s leading light in solar energy, according to new insights from the IHS iSuppli Photovoltaic Service from information and analysis provider IHS (NYSE: IHS).

Founder Angelina Galiteva says: “There is no good excuse why a state as rich in natural resources, capital, and innovative talent should not resume its position as a global renewable energy leader. The Renewables 100 Policy Institute team not only applauds Governor Brown for his bold plans, but will remain in the trenches to help do the hard work.”

New Nuclear Costs as Much as German Solar Today--Up to $0.34/kWh in. 2018Nuclear Insurance Costs More than Electricity Says German Report The world's beleaguered nuclear industry continues to take a battering. The "nuclear renaissance" juggernaut that once seemed unstoppable now appears dead in its tracks. By Paul Gipe