Re: Solar Cell Efficiency

analyst41_at_hotmail.com
Date: 03/27/05 

Date: 27 Mar 2005 08:41:25 -0800

bigcat@meeow.co.uk wrote:
> > the1stlight@hotmail.com wrote:
>
> > > Is there any real feisible way to increase the efficiency of a
> solar
> > > panel?
>
> Many. The simplest is to put a plastic film on the back and use it to
> heat water. Something like twinwall polycarb. PV solar cells are low
> efficiency high cost, solarthermal is medium efficiency low cost. So
> the simplest way to improve efficiency is to unplug them and turn
them
> into water heaters :)
>
>
> NT

I think solar photovoltaic is a non-starter - solar thermal seems to be
the way to go as far as solar is concerned.

With natural gas prices at current levels, it seems to me that solar
thermal systems should already make economic sense for space and water
heating in the suburbs almost all over the US.

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