Comment on 12-Year-Old May Hold Key to Solar Energy parentComments−PieSquared17yMaybe the efficiency only counts the visible radiation? So that the fact that it uses ultraviolent screws up the 7-15% (that is, if you include UV light, its much lower?) That'd be my guess...Although it is rather low on facts and high on hype.−ks17yYes, I think you're right.From the article: Most solar cells in use today are either photovoltaic, meaning they harness only visible light, or thermal.Also: they're engineered to stand freely in three dimensionsSo you have panels that catch both visible and UV light, and can do it in three dimensions.−hugh17yThe amount of energy coming through in the UV portion of the spectrum is quite small:http://www.sunwindsolar.com/a_images/solar_insolation-b.jpgEverything to the left of the "visible light" portion.−PieSquared17yHuh. In that case, there's no way that '500 times' can have any bearing towards reality whatsoever. :)
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Maybe the efficiency only counts the visible radiation? So that the fact that it uses ultraviolent screws up the 7-15% (that is, if you include UV light, its much lower?) That'd be my guess...
Although it is rather low on facts and high on hype.
Yes, I think you're right.
From the article: Most solar cells in use today are either photovoltaic, meaning they harness only visible light, or thermal.
Also: they're engineered to stand freely in three dimensions
So you have panels that catch both visible and UV light, and can do it in three dimensions.
The amount of energy coming through in the UV portion of the spectrum is quite small:
http://www.sunwindsolar.com/a_images/solar_insolation-b.jpg
Everything to the left of the "visible light" portion.
Huh. In that case, there's no way that '500 times' can have any bearing towards reality whatsoever. :)