http://inhabitat.com/stanford-harnesses-light-and-heat-with-new-solar-tech/ Green design & eco innovation for a better world Thu, 23 May 2013 21:03:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc http://inhabitat.com/stanford-harnesses-light-and-heat-with-new-solar-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-376913 zzrok Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:17:02 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/?p=145005#comment-376913 I believe it is talking about electrically. Because the photo-voltaic process is designed to convert sunlight directly into energy, and in the last paragraph they reference heat-conversion and solar power being equal to the price point of oil. I just now noticed they also talk about energy (usually meaning electricity) in some parts of the article as well "convert both light and heat into energy." I believe it is talking about electrically. Because the photo-voltaic process is designed to convert sunlight directly into energy, and in the last paragraph they reference heat-conversion and solar power being equal to the price point of oil. I just now noticed they also talk about energy (usually meaning electricity) in some parts of the article as well “convert both light and heat into energy.”

]]> http://inhabitat.com/stanford-harnesses-light-and-heat-with-new-solar-tech/comment-page-1/#comment-250336 bkreamer Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:35:18 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/?p=145005#comment-250336 It's only the electric part of the process we are interested in, economically speaking. What is the efficiency of this part? The thermal side is less interesting - we already have solar thermal systems that surpass 80% efficiency. The classic problems are transporting the heat for use elsewhere, or converting it to electricity efficiently, neither of which seem to be addressed by this development (at least as reported). It’s only the electric part of the process we are interested in, economically speaking. What is the efficiency of this part?
The thermal side is less interesting – we already have solar thermal systems that surpass 80% efficiency. The classic problems are transporting the heat for use elsewhere, or converting it to electricity efficiently, neither of which seem to be addressed by this development (at least as reported).

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