PV Gap

Elsie Said:

Hydrogen and solar cells?

We Answered:

Each solar cell is different. The older solar cells were only 5-10% eff, but they are able to work at lower levels of light. The newer cells have achieved as high as 30% eff. The size of the solar array and its orientation to the sun will determin how much power can be created. The average US home can be self suffiecient with a solar array on its roof. My house is 1600 sq ft and I use about 1.5 Mw per month. If the initial cost was less, I could put an array on my roof to produce as much as 10 Mw per month and sell the rest to the electric company. If one were to put a solar cell on the roof of a Toyota Prius and a larger battery pack one could achieve 150 MPG in such a car without a problem.