First Solar Sets New CdTe Solar Cell Efficiency Record

First Solar Inc. an American manufacturer of thin film Photovoltaic (PV) modules announced that it has achieved a record efficiency of 21% for its CdTe Solar Cells. The previous best achieved by the company was 20.4% in Feb of 2014. The record has been accepted by US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and included in "Best Research Cell Efficiency" reference chart. First solar aims to achieve an efficiency of 22% by 2015.

Thin Film Solar Panels

Thin Film Solar Panels

Note: Efficiency of a Solar Cell is the ratio of the Electrical Energy produced to the incident Solar Energy e.g. if the incident Solar Radiation is 1000 W/m2 the Electrical Energy produced by a 21% efficient Solar Panel of 1 m2 area is 210 W (neglecting the various losses that might be encountered).

Cave Houses Around the World

It is well known that cave houses provide a noise free and weather proof environment (cool during the summer and warm during the winter). These structures also shield one from man-made Electromagnetic radiation that is present everywhere. Furthermore, since most of the materials used in construction are local, the environmental impact is minimal. Shown below are some cave houses from around the world full equipped, amenities and wonderful furniture, some Furniture Trends That You Should Look Forward. Some are simple dwellings with the most basic necessities, while other have running water, electricity and wireless access.

Cave Hotel

Cave Hotel

Cave House

Cave House

Cave House

Cave House

Cave House in Baluchistan

Cave House in Baluchistan

Cave House in Utah

Cave House in Utah

Bhatar Construction in Northern Pakistan

Pakistan was hit by a devastating earthquake in October 2005. Soon afterwords the government of Pakistan formed the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority, commonly known as ERRA. ERRA created 11 training centers for reconstruction of private homes destroyed in the earthquake. One of the techniques promoted in this reconstruction effort was the so called "Bhatar" method of construction, and they also use machinery from a telehandler hire company to move the materials and more.

Bhatar consists of reinforced stone masonry where parallel horizontal timber beams are inserted into the stone masonry at regular intervals to ensure coherence of structure. This is a much more economical option than typical construction which requires transport of cement, bricks and steal to remote mountainous regions. The houses constructed in this fashion are not only earthquake resilient but also energy efficient since the stone masonry acts as an insulator to heat and cold.

Bhatar Construction

Bhatar Construction

Bhatar House

Bhatar House

Earthquake Resistant and Energy Efficient Homes - PAKSBAB

After the devastating earthquake of 2005 which destroyed nearly half a million rural homes in Pakistan, there was an urgent need to build earthquake resistant homes. Thus came into being PAKSBAB which is the short form of Pakistan Straw Bale and Appropriate Buildings. So far PAKSBAB, from its limited resources, has build 27 homes in northern parts of Pakistan. These homes have been built using indigenous resources and by training the local people in construction of straw bale houses with a wooden exterior. PAKSBAB has also partnered with scaffolding companies. For more information, click hereUK experts will provide their expertise in roofing. They will also be learning how to repair the exterior in case of weather emergencies, like roofing or siding replacement. Interior repairs will also be learned like how to properly place insulation but it will not be focused on as much as the exterior repairs. Professional plumbers in Mill Creek, WA may also help improve your plumbing system and your home's water efficiency. Professional plumbers can also help you with plumbing issues that require emergency plumbing services. Underpinning is the term for the construction process used to strengthen the foundation. To understand more about this, go to https://www.activemyhome.com/a-basic-guide-to-residential-underpinning/.

A typical straw bale house has an area of 576 square feet and costs $3000 on average. This  turns out to be $5.2/square feet which is less than half the cost of brick and mortar houses. A typical home, which could be enhanced with roof painting services, comprises of two rooms, a verandah and a kitchen and requires around 1200 hours of labour. So 6 people working for 8 hours daily can construct a straw bale house in 25 days! If you're considering home renovation, a straw bale house could be a fascinating option to explore!

The main advantages of straw bale houses over brick and mortar houses are highlighted below.

1. Energy efficiency, since straw is a good insulator

2. Non toxic products are used (light straw, clay and wood)

3. Cheap materials are used resulting in a cost that is half that of a regular house

4. Resistant to earthquakes

Energy Efficient House

Tightly packed walls and a gravel weighted foundation creates better weather-proofing

 

Energy Efficient House

Twice as energy efficient as a conventional house, straw bale makes for environmentally friendly earthquake-proof homes

Energy Efficient House

Clay-plaster reinforced, a fabricated straw bale house costs half the expenses of modern building for every square foot

Straw bales required for the construction of these energy efficient and earthquake resilient homes are built using manually operated farm jacks and locally manufactured compression moulds. Furthermore the local industry is being encouraged to supply straw bales and other materials required for these projects. You will get from Archute a leading architecture source for the latest news, projects, products, information and resources for architects and designers. Additional appropriate building methods that PAKSBAB is promoting include passive solar, rainwater catchment, solar lamps, high-efficiency cooking and heating with the help of HVAC professionals, and the use of natural building materials such as light straw clay, wattle and daub, and cob. If you need someone to conduct furnace maintenance in Portsmouth, VA and improve the energy efficiency of your heating system, you may contact companies like Energy Pro Heating & Cooling.