MISSING THE POINT:

NANO-PARTICLES CAPTURE SOLAR ENERGY


Kansas State University researchers are experimenting with nano-particles that could have major applications in solar power. The researchers said they are using nano-particles for solar electric cells because today's solar panels, which are made with larger silicon crystals, contain impurities that limit their efficiency. The nano-particles, made of gallium selenide, are just the right size for solar electric applications because they absorb all visible light but nothing from the invisible light at the red end of the spectrum, which would reduce voltage.

So, at what point does it become competetive with nuclear power? Especially when you consider just how much acreage those "large, high-output solar voltaic panels" will require (a 1GW installation running at 100% conversion efficiency 24 hours a day with no atmosphere, no degradation over time, no dusting, etc. -- ie: ideal conditions unattainable in the real world -- would require around 190 acres of panels).

Posted by T.L. James on August 12, 2002 09:38 PM