UN secretary general wants to double renewable energy use by 2030

The secretary general of the United Nations has unveiled a three-part plan for bringing sustainable energy to everyone in the world.

EU clean energy sector passes 1 million jobs

  Clean energy jobs in the EU have now passed the 1 million milestone. According to a new report [PDF] out by the European Commission, The State of Renewable Energies in Europe, 1.14 million p...

Wind energy installed in 2011 Totals 41,000 MW

The global wind industry installed just over 41,000 MW of wind power in 2011, bringing the world

Scientists measure human 'water footprint'

Humanity uses around 9,089 billion cubic metres of water a year, mostly for agriculture, according to a new study.

Greenpeace praises Google’s approach to stopping climate change

Panorama - Greenpeace praises Google?s approach to stopping climate change - Renewable Energy Magazine, at the heart of clean energy journalism

New HCPV efficiency record exceeds 33% for first time

PV - New HCPV efficiency record exceeds 33% for first time - Renewable Energy Magazine, at the heart of clean energy journalism

Building a better light bulb: energy efficient organic LEDs

Incandescent light bulbs are energy hogs, but many people prefer them for the cozy quality of light they emit. Scientists in Germany have set out to build energy efficient organic LED (OLED) lights that could rival incandescent bulbs in white-light color quality.

Indian clean energy investments outpace the rest of the world

Panorama - Indian clean energy investments outpace the rest of the world - Renewable Energy Magazine, at the heart of clean energy journalism

Renewables M&A hits record highs rising 40% year-on-year

Panorama - Renewables M&A hits record highs rising 40% year-on-year - Renewable Energy Magazine, at the heart of clean energy journalism

Asian solar PV installs surging, China "blistering"

Asia-Pacific markets together added 2.8-gigawatts (GW) of solar PV installations in 4Q11 on the way to a total of 6GW for the entire year, an eye-popping 165% growth, thanks in large part to a massive run-up in China

Researchers: quantum dots boost solar cell efficiency by 45%

The U. of Buffalo (NY) says adding quantum dots into solar cells could increase their efficiency by a whopping 45%.

Scientists design solar cells that exceed the conventional light-trapping limit

(PhysOrg.com) -- The best performing solar cells are those that are thick enough to absorb light from the entire solar spectrum, while the cheapest solar cells are thin ones, since they require less, and potentially cheaper, material. In an attempt to combine the best of both worlds, a team of scientists has outlined designs for solar cells that can absorb light from the entire solar spectrum yet are as little as 10 nanometers thick. The new design approach, which could lead to improved low-cost solar cells, requires overcoming a thermodynamic light-trapping limit proposed in the 1980s.

Twin 50 MW solar thermal plants go online in Spain; each can run 7.5 hours after nightfall

Torresol Energy has announced that the Valle I & II plants are fully operational, and are now powering over 40,000 homes each.