Nighttime Photovoltaics Could Work Around the Clock

Feb-07-20 A theory has been posited that running solar panels in reverse can keep them generating power long after the sun goes down.

Excess photons would be radiated away as infrared radiation, forming an excess of electrons that can be harvested. By linking photovoltaic material that emits photons that are matched with a passively radiating device, it may be possible to build a "thermoradiative cell" that can extract some electricity while radiating photons out into space.

Calculations estimate these systems could produce approximately two to eights watts per square meter, pathetic compared to 200 watts per meter for photovoltaic panels, but with the advantage of being able to generate power 24 hours a day.

More Info about this Invention:

[ARSTECHNICA.COM]
[SCIENCEALERT.COM]

---