Re: New high end Solar Cell claims 42.8 % efficiency


"Robert" <Robert@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:Wgzpi.11724$zA4.9417@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

http://www.physorg.com/news104501218.html
Team sets solar cell record
Using a novel technology that adds multiple innovations to a very
high-performance crystalline silicon solar cell platform, a consortium led
by the University of Delaware has achieved a record-breaking combined
solar cell efficiency of 42.8 percent from sunlight at standard
terrestrial conditions.

[snip]

Robert H.




So what are the long term effects? If ~50%? of the solar energy that
normally be reflected back out into space is used to create electricity
which ultimately will end up as heat, doesn't this mean that global warming
will become a reality very quickly?

Ok, I know the 50% figure above is wrong as most of the energy is reflected
back before it reaches ground. But what would be a good estimate? 1%? Now
if everyone replaced there energy consumption with solar cells then what
would be the equivilent ambient temperature increase? Isn't it the same
increase one would have with current methods?

i.e., it seems we can easily estimate the world's current energy
consumptions on global warming? We might not know how much fossil fuel
consumption plays a part but surely we know with solar cells? and we can
make an equivilence between the two. Knowing how much extra solar energy
that is not going to be absorbed should give an easy estimate on the
increase in temperature.

I'm just rambling here but seems to me if everyone used solar cells, not
even taking into account all the energy and materials required to
manufacture them, just the amount of solar energy being absorbed by them
would increase global temperature quite easily? Now if thats the case then
obviously thats whats happening with fossil fuels because its just a
different method. (while its not a direct equivilence I would imagine its
not to far off)

Seems like an easy way to estimate if global warming is actually happening
or not and I've not read an argument along those lines. Although I suppose
one could estimate the amount of energy used per capita and convert that
into heat and compare it to the energy from the sun. i.e., the real issue in
global warming is just how much energy we used compared to what the sun
"gives" us. The first one we can control while the second we cannot. (so, if
its 1/10^6, say, then chances are there is no global warming... or if it is,
then its out of our control)

Anyways, I'm sure theres been some research along those lines, anyone know
of the results?

Jon


.

Relevant Pages

  • Solar Cell attains 40.7% efficiency
    ... New World Record Achieved In Solar Cell Technology ... U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable ...
    (sci.energy.hydrogen)
  • Re: Solar Cell Efficiency
    ... Because of the nature of solar energy, with the photons adding ... junction solar cells are designed such at higher energy photons ... light into the solar cell while making a low resistance connection. ...
    (sci.energy)
  • Re: Solar Cell Efficiency
    ... >>Is there any real feisible way to increase the efficiency of a solar ... Because of the nature of solar energy, with the photons adding ... > light into the solar cell while making a low resistance connection. ...
    (sci.energy)
  • Re: Profitable Solar Power - A suggestion
    ... As long as more energy is required to MAKE a solar cell than the ... that, in the lifetime of a solar cell, you'll never save as much money ... Just that they haven't been able to produce a solar panel yet ...
    (misc.rural)
  • Re: Profitable Solar Power - A suggestion
    ... As long as more energy is required to MAKE a solar cell than the ... that, in the lifetime of a solar cell, you'll never save as much money ... Just that they haven't been able to produce a solar panel yet that has ...
    (misc.rural)
Loading