New solar cells could even work at night

[russ]

Something different to say the least. Doubt the night time production would be all that much but the daytime efficiency is claimed to be doubled.

Russ

SOLAR cells that work at night.

The key to these new devices is their ability to harvest infrared (IR) radiation, says Steven Novack, one of the pioneers of the technology at the US Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20827915.000-is-night-falling-on-classic-solar-panels.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news

[Mike90250]

So for nighttime, you just flip the panels over, and let the warm earth power them !

[russ]

So a full 180 degree tracking device (flipper or would that be flopper)?

I expect the guy they quoted was taken a bit out of context to make a neat story. Can't imagine there would be a whole lot of watts from IR at night.

[jace_low]

Wow! This is really interesting.

Can you tell me more about this? I'm not that technical so please be easy on me.

[russ]

Today it is nothing. This is the lab research stage and from there it may well take 10 years at best and possibly much longer to a commercial stage.

The concept may never make it to the commercial stage. Lots of things done in the lab simply will not scale up to commercial sizes or production.

Russ

[SpaceOddacy]

We could just set up GIANT mirrors all across the world to redirect the sun light in different parts to other parts during night hours.... *facepalm

So during the day the cells collect both heat from the sun and the light itself? Interesting.