Transcript Photovoltaic Power Cycle - T

Jacob Rossi
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER CYCLE
Conversion of sunlight into electricity via the
Photovoltaic Effect
Solar Jackets
In the most basic form, it’s really similar to normal semiconductor materials:
Copper
Gold
Silver
Aluminum
Indium
Selenium
Sulfur
Oops: The photovoltaic was accidentally
discovered at Bell Labs when impurities were
added to Silicon semiconductors.
Today’s best photovoltaic
cells have a power cycle
efficiency of only
But, tomorrow’s could
approach the theoretical
limit of
Because of some quantum energy stuff, there exists a
“thermodynamic efficiency limit.”
Basically, lots of it gets converted into kinetic energy
(heat). So don’t worry, it doesn’t break the 1st Law.
Even with current technology, the U.S. could
become completely independent from oil by
building a solar power plant in the Southwest.
Its size?
30,000 sq. mi.