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Scientists invent double-sided solar panel that generates vastly more electricity
(www.independent.co.uk)
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this post was submitted on 22 Jul 2023
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TLDR; the front side is 23% efficient, and the rear side 20% efficient.
They don't actually give an overall efficiency but it implies a total of 43%. They compare this to typical panels also at 23% efficient, so it's really remarkable if true. Other emerging solar tech is up to about 32% but if that could also benefit from multiple layers then total efficiency could become insane.
Seems a little too good to be true, really, but great if so.
Edit: Yeah, I don't think these efficiencies can be added like that. I guess the overall efficiency will depend on how reflective the ground under the panels is, and they will extract 20% of that. Maybe that's why they don't give an overall rating.
I don’t think you can just add up efficiency percentages like that…
Sure you can. That's why a UV lamp shining at the six 20% solar panels that power it can run your FTL drive.
Just need another sun on the opposite side
I think you're right there. My bad.
They say the second layer retains 93% of the performance of the first using reflected light, making it 20% efficient, so, yes they are added in that case.
You double(ish) the surface area. So 23% efficient front panel + 20% rear panel.
There isn't nearly as much light coming from the back, so you won't get that much efficiency improvement