Solar cell breaks efficiency record

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Sort of right,: Couple of things, there IS a 25% theoretical maximum efficency, but they put in the word "Concentrator". so its not the efficiency of the cell they are measuring,

ofcourse imagine if you had a 1cm x 1cm cell, and you focused a spot of light from a "concentrator" on it, you end up with the cell receiver not 1 Sun intensity, but mabey 2 or 3 suns.

thats how you get a 20% cell to read 40% eff, but its not correct because you have to measure the light level on the SURFACE of the cell, and make that level 1 SUN (about 1250w/sqM).

also:

you dont get 8 hours of 1 sun every day, its generally works out to 4 or less hours (depended on latitude, time of year, cloud etc).
This is the Isolation data. and the total amount of 1 sun hours you get per day. (usually 4ish).

then consider how much energy it takes to mine, and refine the silicon, (the IC grade), turn it into an INGOT, and a bole. draw it out, slice and dice it.

mine and aluminium frame, process the orc (very energy intensive process as well). all the metel work for the frame has to be manufactured, and at some time will have to be molten metel. required LOTS of energy.

Basically it takes ALOT of energy to manufacture a solar panel, (or photovoltaic cell).

then there are the wires, batteries, electronics for the regulator, all requiring energy to manufacture.

if THAT CELL or solar array had to generate ALL the energy that is required to MAKE itself, i think it would have to run for many years before it paid back the energy from its own manufacture.

What is more effective, ONE SMALL but STRONG, soler cell at the focus point of a paraborla, these cell can withstand up to 400 suns. and produce significant power, but at high temps.

How about just grow a tree, nature makes the best solar panels for FAR..; Posted by: Aussie_Troll Posted on: 12/08/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use