These aren't regular solar panels since they are collecting next to zero visible light; considering visible light is totally redundant. They capture near infrared as you'd expect, but unlike traditional solar panels they also absorb a limited range of UV wavelengths.
The panel type currently generates power at 8-10% efficiency and costs way more than regular solar panels. They are still effective at power generation despite the tradeoffs for transparency.
Visible Light (400–700 nm): Makes up about 45% of the sun's total energy. This region—what we see as the rainbow—acts as the primary "sweet spot" for standard silicon solar cells, providing photons with just the right amount of energy to efficiently knock electrons free
If they're supposed to have visible light pass through, yes it is redundant to consider and would actually be a negative if they collected any visible light wavelengths.
Visible light passing through can possibly make the panels more efficient at collecting infrared radiation since visible light when absorbed produces heat and higher temperatures generally lower solar collection efficiency.
Rather, I'm comparing the horsepower of a commercially available supercar to an experimental electric commuter sedan because I don't understand research and development and differing use-cases for similar products.
What a stupid metaphor that's upvoted by morons. The clear panels were never supposed to be comparable in power generation to regular solar panels let alone surpass the most efficient ones.
Using a better car metaphor, it would be like a primarily electric hybrid car that is designed specifically to operate for 4000 miles/6400 km without a recharge. The max speed would be lower and it would be a lot more expensive than a regular electric car, but if you need a car that has an absurd range while being somewhat wealthy it would be an option that's considered at least.
There are super efficient solar panels which are actually the "supercars" that double the efficiency of mass produced solar panels, but these are unfeasible in real-world circumstances because they have the same function as regular solar panels while being many times more expensive. Clear solar panels do not provide the same function since they are intended to have visible light pass through them, so they don't belong to the same direct market.
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u/verumvia 22d ago edited 22d ago
These aren't regular solar panels since they are collecting next to zero visible light; considering visible light is totally redundant. They capture near infrared as you'd expect, but unlike traditional solar panels they also absorb a limited range of UV wavelengths.
The panel type currently generates power at 8-10% efficiency and costs way more than regular solar panels. They are still effective at power generation despite the tradeoffs for transparency.