this post was submitted on 03 Aug 2023
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Asklemmy
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Last I read, current solar panels were only about 8% efficient. That number would skyrocket...
This would not have a significant impact on solar panel efficiency.
Why not? I too have been watching the excitement but am not understanding the oomph.
I think it's because the PV cells will still only be able to generate the same amount of electricity from the sun.
There are two major mechanisms at work with a solar panel circuit. The production of "free electrons" and then the flow of the "free electrons". Solar panels are basically special crystals that make the "free electrons" when they're hit with sunlight. Once the 'free electrons' are produced, they flow through conductors to do whatever electrical work we want them to do.
The that special crystal is what is inefficient and it can't be replaced with superconductors. Only the flow portion of this circuit could be replaced with superconductors.
I hope this helped, it's a pretty simplified explanation.
It did help, thank you!