3 ms·
What does this mean? Of the energy that all photons hitting the solar panel represent, 26.3% of it is converted into electricity?
by kolbe 10y ago
What does this mean? Of the energy that all photons hitting the solar panel represent, 26.3% of it is converted into electricity?
- qntty 10y agoYes (for more https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency)
- ihaveajob 10y agoFor reference, in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthetic_efficiency https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthetic_efficiency there is mention that photosynthesis has a nominal efficiency of about 30%, but in practice the absorbed energy stays in the 3-6% range, with sugar cane being exceptionally efficient at 8%.
- the8472 10y agoThat 3-6% range is stored energy after the plant consumed some of the produced glucose to maintain itself and grow. Photovoltaics don't do that on their own, so you can't compare that to a solar cell's nameplate efficiency. Either you have to compare PV efficiency with gross glucose production or you need to compare the full PV lifecycle (production, installation, maintenance and recycling) with the harvestable sugar content.