1. Jacob Rossi

2. Conversion of sunlight into electricity via the Photovoltaic Effect

4. Solar Jackets

5. Oops: Oops: The photovoltaic was accidentally discovered at Bell Labs when impurities were added to Silicon semiconductors. In the most basic form, it’s really similar to normal semiconductor materials:

6. Today’s best photovoltaic cells have a power cycle efficiency of only But, tomorrow’s could approach the theoretical limit of Because of some quantum energy stuff, there exists a “thermodynamic efficiency limit.” Basically, lots of it gets converted into kinetic energy (heat). So don’t worry, it doesn’t break the 1 st Law.

7. Even with current technology, the U.S. could become completely independent from oil by building a solar power plant in the Southwest. Its size? 30,000 sq. mi.