[neverdem]

Ugh, a diffraction grating, why didn't I think of that?

[seastay]

so then if more of the suns heat is trapped into the solar cell as opposed to reflecting from the earth and back out to space, then are solar cells really prevent the planet from global warming?

[Vanders9]

Heh never mind. At least someone did!

Good news all round I would think.

[musicman]

"Using computer modeling and a variety of advanced chip-manufacturing techniques, they have applied an antireflection coating to the front, and a novel combination of multi-layered reflective coatings and a tightly spaced array of lines — called a diffraction grating — to the backs of ultrathin silicon films to boost the cells’ output by as much as 50 percent."

I saw a show recently on either Nat Geo, or The Science Channel that was all about "alternative Green" energy.

IIRC, when the show talked about "solar energy", it was shown that as long as "solar cells have been around (say at least 20-30 years) that the come from somewhere in Europe, and that they have managed to get a solar cell that ACTUALLY can gather and use up to and astonashing EIGHTTEEN PERCENT of the sun's energy that hits it!!!!!!!!!

Hmmm....so if these folks have increased that 18% by 50%........WOW boys and girls!!!! We've managed in 30 years to finally get a solar cell to use almost 28% of the frickin' sun's energy that hits it!!!!!!!!!

NOW I know why the dems don't wanna bother drillin' no place!!!!!!!!!!!

[neverdem]

Researchers Induce Superconductivity in an Insulator

IIRC, you like this stuff.

[Bellflower]

ping for later

[ShadowAce]

[Babu]

This is great newz for General Motors! — after their bailout, when Congress is designing the cars they have to build, then their solar-powered car that no one wants to buy, will go an extra 10 feet before sputtering to a stop.

And I can’t wait for the Tahoe powered by a windmill on the roof. That will be really bitchin!

[Uncledave]

Renewable Energy Ping

Please Freep Mail me if you'd like on/off

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

It strikes me that the issues with solar power are:

• cost of the cells necessary to produce a given amount of power.
• cost of the installation of the cells, including the real estate involved, and
• cost of maintenance of the cells. The value of solar power is of course compromised by the sensitivity of the availability of solar power to time of day, time of year, and weather.

[o_zarkman44]

Ping for read later.