Quote:
Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward
There are temperature effeciency problems with solar...
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A number of labs are working on various methods of solving these issues, including providing a coolant behind the cell that can provide heat for a solar water heater, and different designs and chemical bases designed to convert more of the light spectrum (including UV and IR). I used one of the ideas in
Chasing The Light, essentially a "nano-antenna" designed to convert IR to electric power.
I expect a hybrid of compositions and configurations will eventually make solar cells much more efficient, perhaps 50% or more... and if mass-production can bring costs down, make them affordable for just about any home.