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Home > News > Solar cells come down to earth

October 8th, 2003

Solar cells come down to earth

Abstract:
Millions of people around the world would like to heat their homes and run household appliances with solar power. But the cost of doing so puts it out of the question. The first problem is that the cells convert only 10-15% of the radiation from the sun into energy. The second is that the photovoltaic (PV) material used is a form of silicon that has to be made under high-vacuum conditions and heated in special kilns to 1,400ºC. That makes photovoltaic solar cells horrendously expensive.

Source:
Economist

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