Welcome to the Weekend Dispatch. Here are our top finds for June 25.
Westhafen and Main station in Frankfurt, Germany, at sunset. Photo by Oliver Krautscheid
01. Photographer pick: Oliver Krautscheid
Oliver Krautscheid is a digital artist based out of Frankfurt, Germany. He specializes in aerial photographs and enhances the lighting, color and elements in a scene using drone and other technologies.
His portfolio is full of city skylines and natural landscapes. Check out his social page at frankfurt_highlights! He posts every Monday and Friday.
Photo by Nuno Marques | Unsplash
02. Article pick: Major infrared breakthrough could lead to solar power at night
One of the major cons of solar energy is that it cannot work without sunlight. When the sun isn’t out, or when the sun goes down, that energy is lost into space.
Now, researchers at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, have successfully tested a device that will be able to convert infrared heat into electrical power. Read more about the device here.
"From Space to Earth: The Story of Solar Electricity" by John Perlin. Provided photo
03. Book pick: From Space to Earth
Solar cells were invented in the mid-19th century, but for the first 20 years they were only used for one thing: powering satellites.
From Space to Earth: The Story of Solar Electricity is a well-told introduction to solar energy. It tracks its evolution — starting all the way back at its wobbly beginnings when it faced much scientific controversy, to its space program achievements, to becoming a reliable and versatile power source used on the rooftops of many homes.
The book has short chapters, beautiful illustrations and is based on firsthand interviewing and research.
For purchase options, visit Google.com.
A worker installs solar panels on a roof. Photo by Bill Mead | Unsplash
04. Audio pick: Solar Power System For Home: Ultimate Beginners Guide
Has an energy company ever knocked on your door selling solar panels? In a world that’s highly influenced by big corporations and advertisements, it’s hard to know what information you can trust.
This video is a general overview of solar energy for beginners made strictly to inform consumers. It covers how solar panels work, how much they cost, how much people actually save on electricity, and carefully lays out all the pros and cons of having solar power for your house.
So, are solar panels really worth it? That’s for you to decide.