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Felix Adamczyk is a 21 year-old electrotechnology student at ETH Zürich. A hospital internship position in the African country of Tanzania inspired him to develop a solar powered ECG Machine, “Kadiri.” The machine is immensely useful for developing countries who have little electricity to spare if any at all.
For more info on the device, read here: Science Daily: Student Devises Solar Energy ECG Useful In Developing Countries And Troubled Areas
I think when most people mention solar energy, it’s to emphasize some of the amazing technological achievements of today. The use of solar power is most often discussed in reference to saving energy. Even when talking about solar use in remote regions, it seems like people are usually talking about camping or cabin trips, maybe odd research jobs.
It’s easy to forget the great benefits solar power technology can provide for those who have no access to an electrical grid because that’s the way their country is. I mean, all the money savings and environmental benefits of solar energy often cloud all the possible improvements it can and does provide for the health/quality of life of people who have never had the chance to waste electricity in their lifetimes.
Florida is putting at least $50 million to all state universities in an effort to coordinate renewable energy research. One of these schools, Florida Gulf Coast University, won $8.5 million. With it they’ll be installing 16 acres of solar panels which may supply nearly 20% of all its electricity. Arizona State University will be the only other school whose solar power output can compare. This is all happening due to Governor Charlie Crist’s renewable energy emphasis.
Solar Power Panel
It’s exciting to see interest in solar power technologies catch on in different states. To me, it seems like computer technology. I’m talking about how computers started out big and bulky and expensive but of great interest to schools and other institutes of research. But today, many American households have more than one. It would be fantastic to see solar power follow that same route.
Anyway, you can read more about that Florida article here: Florida pouring $50M into solar energy research at state universities
From their home page: “DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.”
If you’re an American thinking about setting up a solar power system in your home, it’s worth checking this out. What’s great is that you can search by state, technology, incentive type, etc. Even if you’re not planning on setting up such a system, it’s interesting to compare what different states are up to.
In case last month’s solar developments weren’t fantastic enough, researchers at MIT have now found an inexpensive yet efficient way to store solar energy for use. The process involves splitting hydrogen and oxygen from water into gases which can be recombined, when necessary, within a fuel cell.
Read more about it here: MIT: Solar power storage breakthrough could bring energy ‘nirvana’
Marc A. Baldo of MIT has lead a team of engineers in designing a new technique for collecting solar energy. This technique involves dyed panels which lead the energy to their solar cell-lined edges. The previous need for covering entire panels with solar cells is one of the costlier factors of solar panel creation. This innovation should significantly decrease the cost of solar power- Possibly within the next three years!
For more info: MIT opens new ‘window’ on solar energy
The Drake Landing Solar Community located in Okotoks, Alberta has 800 solar panels located throughout the community. It is also the first implementation in North America of seasonal solar thermal energy storage. This means that it collects solar thermal energy during the summer for wintertime use!
Web site: DLSC
Note the Project Status and Highlights listed on the main page. 
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