Why has research into solar powered alternatives slowed ?
Answer:
Because the government can't tax solar power.
The newest solar cells are already extremely advanced.
In general solar cells use more energy to make than the energy they produce. That is why nuclear energy is the cleanest and most efficient source of energy.
Facts:
1) There are several different types of solar cells.
2) When used, most solar cells degrade (produce less and then less electricity). After X number of years, they need to be replaced. (Solar companies incorrectly say the cells will last 40 years. Sure they will last 40 years, but they won't be producing 5% of the energy they made when they were new.)
3) Companies that make solar cells can't keep up demand.
4) The companies that make the materials and the cells use tremendous amounts of electricity.
5) If every house in America were to use solar cells then hundreds of new power plants would need to be built in America. Those power plants would be needed to run the factories that make the solar cells and the materials for solar cells.
the big guys(GOV>) can't put a tax on it.
so we should do it more then we are doing it now.
think of all the money you can save by doing this.
wow wow wow
because utilizing solar energy is not perceived as an important and or viable alternative to fossil fuels
First, I will say I do not believe that solar panels would in any way contribute or slow the environment's natural warming/cooling cycle process. However, solar panels interest me as an independent energy alternative as they may at some point in the future allow a less expensive means of energy.
As far as research goes, you may want to do a google search on indium nitride.
http://www.lbl.gov/science-articles/arch...
The usefulness of this material was discovered in 2002. It allows for much greater utilization of light in solar panels. It also allows for a greater deal of "stacking" of solar sheets to harness a larger spectrum of the sun's rays. From what I've read, this would allow for a 2 layer solar panel to theoretically be as high as 50% efficient. More layers then that could even produce higher efficiencies but at a higher cost. However, the issue is finding a cost effective means of "doping" indium nitride. ("Doping" is the process of mixing another material into indium nitride so it can produce the desired electrical conductivity needed for solar panel use.)
The other issue is efficiently storing the energy from solar panels. The most efficient means of storage that I know of would be the flywheel:
http://space-power.grc.nasa.gov/ppo/proj...
Nasa has developed one that operates in a vacuum, eliminating air friction. That may, however, not be the most cost effective for solar purposes. If one can be made to preserve enough energy to run a house for 2 days, I don't think it would matter if it was in a vacuum or not. They also make it from carbon, which is extremely durable. It can reach rotational speeds of 100,000/s plus? before shattering.
NASA did not invent the flywheel but they are currently doing the most with them right now.
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