Solar is one of the fast growing energy sources in the world and photovoltaic cells are the key to collecting and converting that power. But — how does it work? And how much has this technology evolved in the last century since its inception? Full playlist:
Breaking Down Solar Panels

Light Speed: Powered by the Sun – a new 8-part series exploring solar energy: from how it is created by the sun, how technology converts it into a usable power source, and what the future of solar-powered vehicles could look like. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6uC-XGZC7X4CKwNtvssl6hMRfWXKuJ96
Can’t break the first law. Also the 2nd brings entropy into play. No energy producing system will ever give back more energy than what was used to create it. Even if people worked for free and didn’t eat anything while we’re making them we don’t even get close. Solar is a noble pursuit, but it’s a waste of time and money. Carbon capture and nuclear are the best options
China needs to start now! Not 2050!
I have a question can we use graphene in the place of silicon
Nuclear is the best way to go
We are going into an grand solar minimum. The Earth is going to cool.
In Minnesota they call them "solar gardens" and I really wish this name were more widely used.
I think someone said solar cells can be made out of graphene
I wanna hear more veritasium in these explanation vids. the seeker girl doesn't explain things as well
"On its own, a solar cell can create about half a volt" is correct, but she goes on to say "to increase this energy output, you can combine solar cells…". Volts are not a measurement of energy. Volts times Amps gives you power measured in Watts, and Watts over time is energy. Hence "watt hours" of energy are the Watts you collected multiplied by the time it took to collect them (or more precisely, the integral of power over time).
how much useful life does each panel have? and what happens when it leaves its useful life and is no longer useful and becomes garbage? what will happen to that garbage?
Y que opinan sobre las esferas Rawlemon? Segun tienen una eficiencia del 35%
Wikipedia says that the Bhadla Solar Park is now the largest solar park in the world. It is located in Rajasthan, India
Wheres the capsaicin?
Solar thermal range from 45% to 51% efficiency. Sadly, they can only be functionally used in larges plants near the equator. Those with pigments like fanta black, that may change.
8250 GwH by 2050 with a worldwide electrical power consumption of
22.300.000 GwH seems a lot…not.
And even for this goal billions of Acres of land have to be covered. And of course we have to renew every panel after 20-30 years, sounds fun.
1:51 if a panel generates 100 watt throughout one hour not in one hour
I think a field of super tall pillars would absorb more light than a 2d flat panel. They would have way more surface area while the earth spins
If its such a serious issue, why is she laughing ? Feels fake
SPICY 🌶 SUNLIGHT
I rather have nuclear energy
Gallium ? How % ? It's use in space for efficiency without the radioactivity problem, is it safe for a normal long use ?
Correction , the world's largest solar park is in BHADLA , India. Pavagada is second largest.
Arsenic huh … Yeah, that isn't gonna end well…
It's cool to be a Indian
Storing the power is the hardest bit.
Crap Technology
Oops I underestimated my country.. lol
I hope we can achieve Paris agreement in time. Every body need to contribute 🌸