Harvard Solar Research

Calling All Solar Fanatics: We Need Your Computer

Ever wanted to be part of a giant supercomputing project? How about one that has the noble goal of making a better solar panel? Today is your lucky day: Harvard's Clean Energy Project wants you...and your PC.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to help solar researchers identify organic chemicals that have the most potential for creating lightweight and inexpensive organic solar panels. Traditional panels made from silicon tend to be rather heavy and rigid, although they're more efficient and last longer than organic ones.

In order to come up with the best materials for super-duper solar panels, researchers have to run serious computations. If they relied on a standard supercomputer, the work would take 20 years. Spreading the work over a distributed grid--possibly including your own computer--could reduce the time to two years. Much better. So, if you want to pitch in, it's free and the signup info can be found here. And, Mac users, don't despair: the World Community Grid has other cool projects that could use your Apple-tastic power. Go get your grid on!