Technology:
¶ A transparent solar cell can operate in windows with a small reduction in transmitted light. It is 4% efficient in converting sunlight to electrical power. Made from a “polymer-like” material, it is said to be of low cost to manufacture. [Science Daily]
Japan:
¶ Contract workers doing cleanup at Fukushima Daiichi have said they were instructed to cover their dosimeters with lead so they could work in highly contaminated areas longer. The government is investigating. [Deutsche Welle]
¶ The Friday protests outside the prime minister’s residence just get bigger. Though the number in Tokyo seems to have decreased from last week, the movement has spread outside the capital. [Asahi Shimbun]
¶ Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who is a member of the same political party as the current prime minister, has joined the protesters, and is encouraging the government to pay attention to the wishes of the people. [The Japan Times]
World:
¶ Testing for radiation in fish indicates that in some areas in the Pacific Ocean the majority are contaminated with radioactive cesium. [PEJ News]
US:
¶ The Union of Concerned Scientists has issued a report on renewable power generation in California. Electricity from renewable sources provided 19% of all retail electric sales in 2010, up from 4% in 2000. Nevertheless, some approaches have been shown to be better than others. [North American Windpower]
¶ GE is reorganizing its energy business into three subsidiaries. The change should be completed in 2012. One of the subsidiaries will focus on power generation, including both renewable and nuclear systems. [Solar Novus Today]
geoharvey 