Physics Solar Panels Thermodynamics

There are a number of physics topics that relate directly to the core principles underlying the development of solar panels.

Physics solar panels thermodynamics.

The second law of thermodynamics forbids a 100 efficient solar cell. What is thermodynamic solar energy. The solar panels generate electricity as long the sun hits the solar panels. Since solar energy is radiated partially back to space then when a portion of it is captured and converted to electricity which performs work and rseleases heat e g.

Endgroup david robinson may 14 19 at 10 15. In the thermodynamic solar power process electric power is obtained by using solar energy to heat water which is then transformed into steam which in turn moves the turbines analogously to the traditional thermoelectric power plants. It also turns out that the thermodynamic view of semiconductor physics leads quite naturally to a concept of solar cells in terms of electron and hole selective membranes thus giving a solid underpinning for the development of passivating contacts see also fig. The electricity generated is multiplied by the number of solar cells in each solar panel and the number of solar panels in each solar array.

In thermodynamic solar energy solar panels carry a. Despite the enormous energy flux supplied by the sun the three conversion routes supply only a tiny fraction of our current and future energy needs. Solar photons convert naturally into three forms of energy electricity chemical fuel and heat that link seamlessly with existing energy chains. The higher the rate of photons striking the solar cell the more power it can produce.

In the extreme case if you try to get all your energy from solar then you will have to erect enough panels that you have far more than you need in the middle of a summer day when there is no cloud and so the best design is the one that produces the most energy when the sun is low. And almost certainly that warming is greater than the immediate cooling because more of the energy is turned into heat and less escapes to space as visible light than would have done by reflection in the absence of solar panels. So although the solar panels might directly cause a little cooling the electricity they generate causes warming. In transmission lines it would seem we are radiating less back to space.