Efficient Solar Cells

I'm looking to start a project before the end of the summer, to power one of my kids rooms entirely off of clean energy. I'm starting first with solar cells. Where can i get some big and durable ones to put on the roof? Also if you're experienced...

In the automotive section in Canadian Tire. There are 80W solar cells for a hefty $750. Or a 120W solar panel for $1100.

But there is also this site here:

http://www.solarhome.org/

And needless to...

2008-07-26 10:19:16 by duffxp93

Light, flexible solar panels made with nanotechnology will soon bring down the cost of installing household solar energy systems, and new federal ...

is there really a technology more efficient and cheaper than solar cells? if yes, what is it? can you explain or give websites to me? thanks
is there really a technology more efficient and cheaper in producing eletricity or energy than solar...

The inefficiency in solar cells is because they convert from one energy form to another, there are always "losses" when you convert from one form of energy to another. Using energy in its original form is always more efficient.
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2007-10-16 07:51:30 by mark

I knew I'd heard something about researchers developing new solar cells which will triple the output efficiency of solar panels. When I go online to research this...NOTHING since the initial discovery at Berkely in 2002. Did some oil company gobble

Howdy,

I'm not sure, this is the first I've heard of such a break through. Chances are it didn't work out -or- if it was a truly viable product, an energy company "invested" in the project and then shut it down for one...

2007-09-24 21:02:17 by marci

The better crystalline silicon cells that consumers can buy are 15-18% efficient. Note that this will drop if you put them under glass to protect them.

Older crystalline cells might be 10% efficient.

Surplus...

2009-08-03 08:16:52 by Shahad

Can you give me an idea on how much energy from sunlight is received in a square foot area on earth. I've heard that solar cells are very inefficient loosing most energy to heat. I want to know how much energy could be extracted if it were 100%...

I remember 1kW/sq m, so that would be about 100W/sq. ft. Homes seem to average about 1kW per person.

2008-07-02 14:05:25 by zerohourx

Solar cells/solar panels are environment friendly, but at the moment other sources of electrical energy are cheaper than solar power. How can we make solar cells more efficient and cheaper?

Every solar cell has a maximum theoretical efficiency. It is a property of that cell, and no matter the conditions it cannot be any higher. The most efficient one, to date, is ~35%. Factoring in material and system limitations, the maximum efficiency

2006-07-19 11:08:04 by DeeJay