NEWS IN SOLAR ENERGY

Until very recently the primary drawback to obtaining energy from photovoltaic sources was simply the inordinate amount of resources required in the production of the photovoltaic energy systems themselves, including financial, logistical and the cost of the energy used in the production process itself (see Solar Buzz for more).

This expense has to do with several factors, not the least of which is the refinement of silicon for silicon-based photovoltaic solar energy cells. After more than ten years of research and experimentation, the Nanomaterials Research Centre of Massey University in New Zealand has, in the spring of 2007, made public it's new synthetic dye-based solar energy cells. These cells can produce electricity in low-light conditions, cloudy weather and, all for a fraction of the cost of silicon-based cells.

Suddenly a job in solar energy could lead to a long-term career after all whereas, before this recent breakthrough, there always seemed to be the issue of how to make solar energy production financially viable. For more on solar energy careers see the U.S. Department of Energy paper on Careers In Renewable Energy or, visit Acre, a UK recruiting company specializing in the Environment, CSR / Sustainability and Climate Change.

Solar power may have just caught its second wind! Another excellent resource for current job listings in solar and renewable energy industries is Renewable Energy Access. Started in 1998 by a group of renewable energy professionals who wanted their work to relate to their passion for renewable energy and the desire to create a long term sustainable business, they have created a recognized and trusted source for Renewable Energy news and information.

For more on the Massey University story please read Solar Power Breakthrough At Massey, an article by Mervyn Dykes of the Manawatu Standard, a New Zealand news leader.

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