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Rice University researchers propose a way to boost solar efficiency

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Re: Rice University researchers propose a way to boost solar efficiency

#41

Post by gmueckl »

anchpop wrote: post #31
ThomPete wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The primary issue with everything in this category is that plenty of things are possible in the lab or in theory which just isn't possible when applied in reality and at scale. Blame journalists for hyping this because of the climate change focus. I am involved in actively looking for better materials and better sources of energy. The reality is that there are no fundamental breakthroughs since oil and nuclear. No ma…

Why do you consider cheap solar not a breakthrough? If I 30-year mortgaged some solar cells, I could put them on my house right now and save $20 a month on net because of reduced electricity costs

Well, in the grand scheme of things, photovoltaic cells were developed back when nuclear reactors began to appear as well. They are not a new technology, just something that is getting optimized diligently now. In that regard, the parent post is technically correct. But that view is focused too much on big shifts in the market, if you ask me. Smaller, more incremental steps have added up to amazing things around wind and solar power.

Re: Rice University researchers propose a way to boost solar efficiency

#42

Post by Terr_ »

Retric wrote: post #4

That really needs some editing, it reads like gibberish. Just go to the source: https://news.rice.edu/2019/07/12/rice-device-channels-heat-i...

I am especially infuriated by how it repeats a common misconception of infrared light as the epitome of "heat", as if it was some kind of separate particle.

Re: Rice University researchers propose a way to boost solar efficiency

#44

Post by ryanmarsh »

mikepurvis wrote: post #38
ryanmarsh wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This has been discussed in several previous threads on HN. From what I’ve been able to gather, creative ways to reduce the energy consumption of A/C will require a change to building designs, and/or increase the cost and complexity of new buildings. Whereas the cost of running the A/C is up to the future tenant(s). This is why you see some companies applying eco friendly tech to some new buildings (Apple) but not in…

Interesting to contemplate what could be done to shift those incentives around. Obviously there are certifications (LEED), and there's straight-up regulation, but would there be a way to mandate that a builder or landlord is responsible for a portion of future HVAC expenses such that they are motivated to get this right upfront?

I’m sure if some energy saving tech was commercialized and reasonably cost effective local municipalities could update building codes. LEED standards could be updated as well. What goes into a building isn’t entirely up to the developer.

But right now most of this stuff is just in a lab. Frankly the tall cooling towers you see on some buildings weren’t in widespread use until at least the 50’s even though they were invented at the turn of the century.

Re: Rice University researchers propose a way to boost solar efficiency

#45

Post by Terr_ »

xendo wrote: post #27

I wonder if the process of changing heat into light can be used for transferring heat more efficiently than current AC units.

> changing heat into light

It's not actually doing that though. It's changing one set of light-frequencies into another.

Re: Rice University researchers propose a way to boost solar efficiency

#48

Post by outside1234 »

anewguy9000 wrote: post #46

ive always wondered why leaves all generally evolved to be green instead of black. wouldnt black be more efficient?

The short answer is that absorbing a narrow band of energies is more efficient than a wide band.

See: http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=4979

Re: Rice University researchers propose a way to boost solar efficiency

#49

Post by zdragnar »

anchpop wrote: post #31
ThomPete wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The primary issue with everything in this category is that plenty of things are possible in the lab or in theory which just isn't possible when applied in reality and at scale. Blame journalists for hyping this because of the climate change focus. I am involved in actively looking for better materials and better sources of energy. The reality is that there are no fundamental breakthroughs since oil and nuclear. No ma…

Why do you consider cheap solar not a breakthrough? If I 30-year mortgaged some solar cells, I could put them on my house right now and save $20 a month on net because of reduced electricity costs

That depends on where you are. I asked around a bit, and solar is a net negative for me (cost-wise). The only option one company gave me required converting the roof of my garage to a flat surface (from a standard peak), which is utterly impractical around here.

Re: Rice University researchers propose a way to boost solar efficiency

#50

Post by ThomPete »

philipkglass wrote: post #40
ThomPete wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The primary issue with everything in this category is that plenty of things are possible in the lab or in theory which just isn't possible when applied in reality and at scale. Blame journalists for hyping this because of the climate change focus. I am involved in actively looking for better materials and better sources of energy. The reality is that there are no fundamental breakthroughs since oil and nuclear. No ma…

Fuel cells have been commercially available since the 1960s, though they were mostly confined to space program applications then. Automobile manufacturers have produced small numbers of fuel cell vehicles since the turn of the millennium: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell_vehicle#List_of_mode... I'm not making claims about the actual merits of fuel cells, mind you. But claiming they're further out than fusion i…

There are many types of fuel cells.

I am talking about the kind of fuel cells which can be used by wind and solar to store energy and distributed economically feasible.

We are not even close to that. If you know of anything, by all means, please let me know as the group I am part of would invest in it in a heart beat.

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