Solar Radiation

December 2, 2008
By
Solar Radiation

the intensity of Solar radiation as a function of wavelength is presented. The yellow part represents the intensity of Sunlight at the top of the atmosphere, while the red part is the same Sunlight intensity measured at Sea Level. We see that the Sea Level radiation does not match the radiation at the top...

Read more »

What is a Solar Cell?

November 27, 2008
By
What is a Solar Cell?

A solar cell is the basic element of solar photovoltaics. It is built out of semiconductor material, and usually its surface area is no greater than 10×10 cm. Its surface color is usually black or dark, for obvious reasons, that is, to reflect as little of the solar energy as possible. When exposed to...

Read more »

The Basic Physical Processes in a Solar Cell

November 13, 2008
By

Every solar cell is based on a very fundamental physical principle which involves interaction between light and electrons. The light (or photons – small packages of light energy) is of course coming from the Sun, and the electrons areĀ  present in the material out of which the solar cell is built. The photons come...

Read more »

The Basic Physical Processes in a Solar Cell

November 13, 2008
By

Every solar cell is based on a very fundamental physical principle which involves interaction between light and electrons. The light (or photons – small packages of light energy) is of course coming from the Sun, and the electrons areĀ  present in the material out of which the solar cell is built. The photons come...

Read more »

Platinum vs. Gold – How much is Platinum more Expensive than Gold?

November 6, 2008
By
Platinum vs. Gold – How much is Platinum more Expensive than Gold?

The name platinum comes from the Spanish word platina which means “little silver”, obviously referring to its shine and appearance. The modern history of platinum starts in the 18th century. The scientists of the medieval times, the alchemists, knew and recognized as metals seven elements: gold, silver, mercury, tin, iron, copper, and lead. There...

Read more »

Shaking-up the Laws of Nature

October 6, 2008
By
Shaking-up the Laws of Nature

They should be drawn to each other quite strongly! So, on one hand we have the gravity that would eventually cause the Universe to contract into itself. On the other hand we supposedly have this “dark energy” which appears to be pushing apart the galaxies faster than the gravity can pull them together. There...

Read more »