#solar technology

Beringer Solar Quadrant, universal cubical sundial dating back to 1736.

In the quest for energy independence, researchers have studied solar thermoelectric generators (STEGs) as a promising source of solar electricity generation. Unlike the photovoltaics currently used in most solar panels, STEGs can harness all kinds of thermal energy in addition to sunlight. The simple devices have hot and cold sides with semiconductor materials in between, and the difference in temperature between the sides generates electricity through a physical phenomenon known as the Seebeck effect.

Cities of Light: A Collection of Solar Futures (Out Now)

A collection of science fiction stories, art, and essays exploring how the transition to solar energy will transform cities; catalyze revolutions in politics, governance, and culture; and create diverse futures for human communities. Cities of Light emphasizes that the design of solar energy matters in shaping the future of urban communities and considers how each city’s geographic and social features, along with the arc of its particular local history, create unique challenges and opportunities as we work collectively to design more equitable energy futures.

The collection features stories by award-winning science fiction authors, working in collaboration with visual artists and graphic designers, and experts from Arizona State University and the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory in fields ranging from engineering and data science to sociology, public policy, and architecture.

Cities of Light features stories, essays, and art imagining solar futures in four U.S. cities: Chicago, Illinois; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Portland, Oregon; and San Antonio, Texas.

Stories by: Paolo Bacigalupi, S.B. Divya, Andrew Dana Hudson, Deji Bryce Olukotun

Essays by: Angel L. Echevarria, Robert Ferry, Max Gabriele, Chris Gearhart, Madeline Gilleran, Lauren Withycombe Keeler, Clark A. Miller, Elizabeth Monoian, Yíamar Rivera-Matos, Patricia Romero-Lankao, Joshua Sperling, Alāna Wilson

Art by: Venkatesh Lakshmi Narayanan, Regan Rosburg, Sebastián Sifuentes, Parisa Tashakori

This 2021 collection is free for download! 

A collection of science fiction stories, art, and essays exploring human futures powered by solar energy, with an upbeat, solarpunk twist. What will it be like to live in the photon societies of tomorrow? How will a transition to clean, plentiful energy transform our values, markets, and politics?

The Weight of Light emphasizes that the design of solar energy matters just as much as the shift away from fossil fuels. Solar technologies can be planned, governed, and marketed in many different ways. The choices we make will profoundly shape the futures we inhabit. The collection features stories by award-winning science fiction authors, working in collaboration with illustrators, graphic designers, and experts in policy, ethics, climate science, and electrical, environmental, civil, and aerospace engineering.

Stories by: Brenda Cooper, Andrew Dana Hudson, Corey S. Pressman, Cat Rambo

Essays by: Stuart Bowden, Ed Finn, Wesley Herche, Christiana Honsberg, Samantha Janko, Darshan M.A. Karwat, Lauren Withycombe Keeler, Joshua Loughman, Clark A. Miller, Esmerelda Parker, Dwarak Ravikumar, Ruth Wylie

Illustrations by: Michael Duah, Brian Miller, Kirsten Newkirk, Laura Wentzel

Get the free book here! https://csi.asu.edu/books/weight/

The Future of the Sun

The story of the biggest transformation of our time has a marketing problem: no one knows it’s happening.

There were many important events that happened in 2016. Some were deafening, trumpeting the seemingly inexplicable ascent of backwards-facing forces. But one event of great historical significance went largely unremarked upon.

In 2016 solar power became the cheapest form of new electricity on the planet and for the first time in history installed more new electric capacity than any other energy source.

Amid the sepia haze oozing from the past’s rusting, orange pipeline, humanity was placing a serious bet on a new kind of future. And you didn’t even know about it.

That’s a problem..

(via The Future of the Sun | Social-Creature.com)

This is an absolutely fantastic long read by ‘Accidental Solarpunk’ Jenka Gurfinkel. 

The essay is well researched and covers a lot of ground. From the speed of the technological innovation in solar energy, strategies used by climate denialists, desire, platforms, destiny and, how we Claim the Narrative of Future (hint hint).

Make yourself a cup of tea and settle in as it is well worth reading.