Re: If we had more of these then we can have sun powered trains ( and maybe cars...)

On 6 May, 14:25, %ste...@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Steve Firth) wrote:
Richard Polhill <richard.n...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

My suspicion is that PV cells are so inefficient, the effect is minuscule if
not negligible. But if there is developed a cheap, readily available, 90%
efficient PV cell...

PV cells are marginal, but the solar power station referred to in Fod's
post does not use photocells. It's a solar thermal generator workign on
the good old steam turbine principle. There are also solar thermal
plants which use a very tall glazed cylinder with a central black
column. The tower works as a chimney and the air movement can be used to
drive a turbine. Both systems are more efficient than PV cells.

And there's still concern about the industrial process used to make PV
cells and the huge energy inputs required.

But work on this is progressing.

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/05/369665.html

Incidentally, all of my batteries are now charged solely by solar.

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