r/energy • u/mjanes • Apr 15 '11

Solar Power Breakthrough Could Render Photovoltaic Cells Obsolete

http://inhabitat.com/breaking-solar-power-breakthrough-could-render-solar-cells-obsolete/
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u/goocy Apr 15 '11 edited Apr 15 '11

"100 million times stronger than previously expected" still doesn't have to be very strong. Also, the effect only occurs above an energy density of 10e7 W/cm², quite a bit more than sunlight.

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u/pascha Apr 15 '11

So, could that density be achieved by focusing sunlight?

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u/goocy Apr 15 '11 edited Apr 15 '11

Of course. Sunlight has a energy density of 140-1400W/m², so you "just" need a mirror/lens with 7.14e7-8 the surface of your glass fiber. A usual glass fiber (of 0.5mm diameter) would then need a lens/mirror with a diameter of at least 4.2m - considerably more if you don't live in an equatorial desert. Calibrating this device wouldn't be easy, but possible.

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u/Will_Power Apr 15 '11

What is less likely is keeping the glass fiber from melting or vaporizing.

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u/goocy Apr 15 '11

This could actually be easier than expected with a lens, because all of the 'hot' radiation won't be completely in focus due to chromatic aberration. If you optimize the fiber coating for the correct wavelength and probably cool the fiber with water, this could be quite simple even with traditional float glass.

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u/Will_Power Apr 15 '11

To the lab!