What are facts about solar power?

Answer 1

The best solar cells are monocrystalline Si. (Silicon).

Martin Green (New South Wales ) has hit 28% efficiency,

this means with a meter square panel on a good day you can get 300Whr.

Most solar panels aren't quite that good but they are hitting perhaps 20% quite often.

There are polycrystalline Silicon cells in some panels - the very best get 15% efficiency.

Single junction amorphous (magic paint) - Kronear of MI USA is one manufacturer - have been getting lots of government dollars for development.

The very best of these made are 5% or so, their first year and will be about 3% after 5 years.

So on a good day 30Whr with a square meter panel.

A fella named Mat Stern San Louis Obisco California made the best amorphous (dual junction cells) - he made cells on regular window glass. They start at about 7% efficiency and go up over time.

In many places in Europe, China - and other countries where oil isn't king - some homes heat their water with non-photovoltaic (non-silicon) solar panels.

For example: a copper panel that has been black chrome plated, under dual-pane low iron glass, can reach SYSTEM efficiencies of 93%.

So, in the right location, a meter square heat panel can give 1Kwh per hour of heat.

That's enough hot water for a family of four all year round.

There are companies that bring solar panels to remote towns and villages in places like Africa, like the ISEA. (International Solar Energy Association)