Third generation questions

[Chaos]

Hi,

I know very little about solar panels. I was wondering on installing solar panels on my roof.
I was interested in knowing as I go to amazon.co.uk I see solar panels that produce 250watts or a maximum of 500watts. (1 panel would produce that).

Is this second generation solar panels?


Also is Third generation solar panels being sold or soon to be on sale? Or is this technology far from being sold in the market?

Also is it true what i read in wikipedia from third generation that Use of infrared spectrum to produce electricity at night.

Does that mean that solar panels will produce electricty at night? (24hr)?

Thanks in advance

[Naptown]

Don't know where you got your info but what you read is essentially a fairy tale

[Chaos]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_generation_photovoltaic_cell

[inetdog]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_g...tovoltaic_cell

I don't know of any "third generation" cells that have made it out of the lab into military or aerospace applications yet, much less into consumer products.
It is likely that the first use of such cells will be in concentrating collectors since the active surface area will be very expensive.

They are either a fantasy or a glimpse of the still distant future, depending on what happens next.

As for the use of cells sensitive to infrared light, one major problem would be that since the radiation temperature of the night sky is very low, you would have to collect infrared radiation from other sources or expend a lot of power cooling the cells to below sky temperature.
I would call that particular line just a bad misunderstanding of the science involved.

(Along similar lines, there has been experimental verification of an infrared LED that delivers more power in the form of light output than the electrical power input. Unfortunately you also need additional outside power to heat the LED!)

[Naptown]

And most on the list at wiki are either out of business or have never produced a verifiable panel install.

[russ]

There are even companies working on version 4.0 and on up - they are always looking for investors

[SunEagle]

The study of thin film solar cells is still being done by a number of companies. The idea of stacking them to capture more electrons has been around since the 70's. The big hurdle is finding the right combination of solid state materials to make these cells work at the expected efficiencies.

Maybe in another decade someone will find the right stuff.

[Chaos]

ah ok thanks for the replies. So basically the solar panels they sell today will be the best for a while

[inetdog]

ah ok thanks for the replies. So basically the solar panels they sell today will be the best for a while

Quite awhile. And the current prices may go up as failing panel manufacturers finish selling off their overproduction.