Re:Japanese company develops a solar cell with record-breaki...
by contravariant on Thursday March 23, 2017 @08:23AM
(#13939130)
Well, really there are only two, capturing more sunlight, or capturing sunlight more efficiently. Since we need sunlight for other things as well it's better if we don't waste it, but right now that doesn't really seem to be a limiting factor (there are still plenty of roofs without solar panels).
Re:Japanese company develops a solar cell with record-breaki...
by Tharkun on Thursday March 23, 2017 @07:26AM
(#13938835)
I suppose it's a matter of cost, which will likely depend on location. Cheap lenses might be more feasible in densely populated areas. A big, fat, copper cable attached to very large and very cheap panels will likely be more cost effective in sparsely populated areas.
Re:Japanese company develops a solar cell with record-breaki...
by dotancohen on Thursday March 23, 2017 @08:11AM
(#13939054)
Cheap lenses won't work for solar panels on a car, boat, or other vehicle.
Re:Japanese company develops a solar cell with record-breaki...
by Tharkun on Sunday March 26, 2017 @09:48AM
(#13960762)
Can you elaborate on that?
Re:Japanese company develops a solar cell with record-breaki...
by Arnt on Saturday April 01, 2017 @12:13PM
(#14012782)
I presume he means that cheap lenses will not be able to deal with a moving vehicle's quick changes of orientation.
Re:Japanese company develops a solar cell with record-breaki...
by petra on Thursday March 23, 2017 @08:20AM
(#13939108)
Area isn't unlimited in the residential market, place is fixed and installation is expensive.
AFAICT, there are three ways to double the output of a solar cell: Double the area, double the efficiency, and move the cell to somewhere with twice as bright sunlight and install a cable. That one option presents intractable problems doesn't seem to matter very much when either of the two others are available.