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Why? AFAICT, there are three ways to double the output of a solar cell: Double the area, double the efficiency, and move the cell to somewhere with twice as br

by Arnt 10y ago

Why? AFAICT, there are three ways to double the output of a solar cell: Double the area, double the efficiency, and move the cell to somewhere with twice as bright sunlight and install a cable. That one option presents intractable problems doesn't seem to matter very much when either of the two others are available.

Tharkun 10y ago
I suppose it's a matter of cost, which will likely depend on location. Cheap lenses might be more feasible in densely populated areas. A big, fat, copper cable attached to very large and very cheap panels will likely be more cost effective in sparsely populated areas.
- dotancohen 10y ago
  Cheap lenses won't work for solar panels on a car, boat, or other vehicle.
  - Tharkun 10y ago
    Can you elaborate on that?
    - Arnt 10y ago
      I presume he means that cheap lenses will not be able to deal with a moving vehicle's quick changes of orientation.
petra 10y ago
Area isn't unlimited in the residential market, place is fixed and installation is expensive.
- taneq 10y ago
  That's why you need to install the cable.
- Arnt 10y ago
  Those are places where people buy their vegetables instead of growing them.
contravariant 10y ago
Well, really there are only two, capturing more sunlight, or capturing sunlight more efficiently. Since we need sunlight for other things as well it's better if we don't waste it, but right now that doesn't really seem to be a limiting factor (there are still plenty of roofs without solar panels).