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Originally Posted by solarefficiency  Solar efficiency of silicon panels won't be greater than 50% due to heat energy loss. Need a metal that can absorb heat greater and conduct electricity, such as copper.  |
Solar panels have nothing to do with heat. At least from the photoelectric effect studies I've done. Photons of light from the sun enter into the panel. There are individual chambers where wavelengths will reach tiny metal panels. The light excites the metal, which will give off electrons. A circuit is created that loops from the metal, to a generator (more specific term unknown), and back to the chamber. The excited electron creates a flux, thus sending a current through the wire. This happens repeatedly. The work required to remove the electron and the level of kinetic energy given off from freed electron go against each other. So if we have a metal that will easily give off it's outer valence shell electrons, then we will create more voltage from the chamber. Do this a few thousand times every second and that's a solar panel. Currently, people who are installing solar panels on their homes are getting paid from the electric companies for the excess energy they are bringing in. Pretty cool stuff, if ya ask me. Add this along with solar, nuclear, and bio fuels and we'll be oil free in no time.