PFAS

New Legislation on PFAS May Affect Your Fire Suppression System

  “Over the past few decades, the fire protection industry has been affected by national/international restrictions and bans on production of the chemicals used in fire suppression systems. The first and most notable event was the Montreal Protocol in 1992 that essentially halted the production of Halon®, categorized as a class 1 ozone depleting substance … [Read more…]

20 Million Acres of U.S. Cropland May Be Contaminated by PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’

  “Toxic per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” are a family of more than 9,000 synthetic, human-made chemicals that barely break down in the natural environment, according to CHEM Trust. PFAS are used to make products water-, heat- or stain-resistant, The Guardian reported. Very low amounts of these forever chemicals … [Read more…]

Solar module anti-soiling coating for retrofit application

  “Dutch company Rads Global Business has developed an anti-soiling coating for solar PV modules that are at least two years old. The new product is claimed to increase power yield by up to 7% and to have a payback time of 2.5 to four years depending on the dust level of the site. Netherlands-based … [Read more…]

High Levels Of Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found In Anti-Fogging Sprays And Wipes

  “Anti-fogging sprays and cloths often used to prevent condensation on eyeglasses from wearing a mask or on face shields may contain high levels of potentially toxic PFAS “forever chemicals”, according to a new study led by Duke University. Researchers tested four of the top-rated anti-fogging sprays as well as five top-rated anti-fogging cloths sold … [Read more…]

Heat-protective film to reduce solar module temperature by 3.5 degrees Celsius

  “An international research team has tested a holographic film based on prismatic concentrators that was presented by Russian scientists last year and is claimed to significantly reduce the operating temperature of solar modules, including that of thermal-photovoltaic devices. According to the new findings, the film is able to lower the operating temperature by around … [Read more…]

Inexpensive, clear coating could make solar panels snow-resistant

  “In an advance that could dramatically improve the productivity of solar panels in cold climates, a University of Michigan-led team has demonstrated an inexpensive, clear coating that reduced snow and ice accumulation on solar panels, enabling them to generate up to 85% more energy in early testing. The proposed coating solution is claimed to … [Read more…]

Trelina officials ‘committed’ to using best, safest solar panels

  “Some residents of the Packwood and Serven Road area, where the Trelina Solar Energy Center will be built, are asking questions about the solar panels. They want assurances that the panels will not contain environmentally hazardous chemicals or materials. The 80 megawatt project was approved for a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need … [Read more…]

Icephobic surfaces for ice, snow shedding in utility scale solar

  “Developed by U.S. researchers, the proposed coating solution is claimed to effectively melt ice and snow with temperatures of up to -35 degrees Celsius. It was fabricated by using medium-chain triglyceride oil to plasticize two common industrial polymer polyvinyl chlorides and tested at a pilot facility in Alaska. U.S. researchers have developed a coating … [Read more…]