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Recommended: Law of thermodynamics
In order to competently compare photosynthesis and semiconductor-based solar cell's production of electricity i.e. solar cell electricity, they both must be defined. Photosynthesis is defined as, (Biology Online, 2010) “The synthesis of complex organic material using carbon dioxide, water, inorganic salts, and light energy (from sunlight) captured by light-absorbing pigments, such as chlorophyll and other accessory pigments.” According to Thomas gale, ( Thomas gale, 2006), solar cells create electrical energy by converting sun light into electricity by using photovoltaic effect. These processes are similar because they both require sun light, transform that sun light and both processes are environmentally friendly. Photosynthesis and semiconductor –based solar cell production of electricity have many differences. These processes differ by their transformation method. Also, Photosynthesis occurs naturally in nature where as solar cell electricity is manufactured. Lastly, solar cell technology isn’t nearly as successful as photosynthesis. A Concluding the comparison of photosynthesis and semiconductor-based solar cell's production of electricity will engage how both relate to the Laws of Thermodynamics. Having introduced the concept of this paper and defined these two processes it’s time to move on to their similarities.
Photosynthesis and semiconductor-based solar cell's production of electricity are closely related. The first and most basic is that they both perform the same function. The both process solar energy. Solar powered technology is often referring to as artificial photosynthesis. Both processes harness the suns energy in order to convert it into a usable form. Actually the transforming into a usable form fr...
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Thomas gale. (2006). Energy alternatives . Farmington hill: Greenhaven press.
Atkins, P. (2007). Four Laws that drive the universe. Oxford and New York: Oxford Univesity Press.
Biology Online. (2010). dictionary definitions. Retrieved Jul 22, 2010, from Biology Online: http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Photosynthesis
Ensminger, P. A. (2001). Life under the sun. New Haven and London: Yale university press.
Mader, S. S. (2010). Essentials of biology. boston: McGraw- Hill learning solutions.
Sandia National Labratories. (2002). Photovoltaic Systems Research & Development . Retrieved July 22, 2010, from The Photovoltaic Effect: http://photovoltaics.sandia.gov/docs/PVFEffIntroduction.htm
Solar Electric Light Fund. (2007). Environmentsl Benefits of solar Energy. Retrieved July 22, 2010, from Solar Electric light Fund: http://www.self.org/shs_envir.asp
Lof, George. “Solar Energy: An Infinite Source of Clean Energy.” Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. Vol 410:52
The Effect of Intensity on the Power of Solar Cells This experiment involves changing the intensity of light falling on different cells and measuring their power outputs. Higher intensity of light means that there are more photons hitting the surface of the cell per unit area per second. The more hit the cell, the more rapidly the electrons move across the p-n junction, so the larger the emf produced. If the rate of movement of electrons is inhibited, then the greater the rate of supply of photons (intensity), the more will not successfully excite an electron, so the lower the efficiency of the cell.
Photovoltaic electrical energy is the result of the “photoelectric effect”, a phenomena that occurs when metals are exposed to sunlight. The photovoltaic effect results in both a voltage and a current, the two ingredients for electricity’s generation. This is defined as a clean energy mechanism as the source of the energy is the sun and results in electrical energy being generated without the “products of combustion: Carbon Dioxide CO2” as is the case with fossil fuels (coal, gas, oil). It’s ad...
Krauss, Lawrence Maxwell, and Richard Dawkins. A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather than Nothing. New York, NY: Free, 2012. 7-8. Print.
Kirkpatrick, Larry, and Gerald F. Wheeler. Physics: A World View. 4th ed. Orlando: Harcourt College Publishers, 2001.
Weinberg, Steven. 1992. Dreams of a Final Theory: The Search for the Fundamental Laws of Nature. New York: Pantheon Books.
Photosynthesis is a process in plants that converts light energy into chemical energy, which is stored in bonds of sugar. The process occurs in the chloroplasts, using chlorophyll. Photosynthesis takes place in green leaves. Glucose is made from the raw materials, carbon dioxide, water, light energy and oxygen is given off as a waste product. In these light-dependent reactions, energy is used to split electrons from suitable substances such as water, producing oxygen. In plants, sugars are produced by a later sequence of light-independent reactions called th...
Although Solar Energy is a flexible source of where energy could be directly or indirectly converted into forms of energy, it’s still not perfect. With its inefficiency, scientists are trying to find alternative solution to store solar cells for as long as possible. The main process of capturing solar energy happens at the nanoscale. With solar cells, it gets more efficient the tinier it gets. The converting rate of solar energy is equally price competitive as fossil fuel, with a dollar per watt of solar energy. With the help of nanotechnology, it could help raise solar energy conversion efficiency and help lower costs making it the ultimate method of raw energy conversion. To make sure the process of generating energy is kept at a low cost and energy output...
Preview: Today I will discuss the potential that solar power has to become this country’s main supply of energy and the latest research that can make solar power more efficient and cost effective. I will also present the environmental benefits that come with using solar power over other and more harmful forms of energy.
Saini, Keshav. "Solar Thermal Energy Pros and Cons | Environmental Issues." Environmental Issues Blog. N.p., 6 Jan. 2012. Web. 04 Mar. 2014. .
How Efficient is Solar Energy Technology? Engineering Challenges. n. d. a. d. a. d. d. 8 April 2014. http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/8996/9082.aspx>. How do Nuclear Plants Work?”
Solar power is energy efficient, what is meant by that is that solar power cannot ever run out as long as it is installed properly. Solar power cells is a source of electrical energy that converts a powerful source of energy such as the sun into electricity, using it’s energy to create electrical currents within the solar panel. Solar panels produce electricity using technology called “Solar Photovoltaic (PV)”.
Solar energy is clean energy that does not affect our environment. Solar power utilizes the sun’s energy to produce electricity, unlike other sources of energy, which rely on continual mining for raw materials. Consequently, producing solar energy from the heat from the sun does not result into the annihilation of the ecosystem, compared to the extraction of fossil fuels (Bode, 2005). Therefore, with the use of solar energy, it will help keep the environment clean, thus help to combat the issue of global warming, which is a threat to the world’s ecosystem worldwide. The use of solar energy will help save the worlds vegetation, and help prev...
"Top 6 Things You Didn't Know About Solar Energy." Energy.gov. United States Department of Energy, 22 July 2012. Web. 23 May 2014.
• A second principle, which concretises the beginning of the universe, is the second law of thermodynamics. As I quote the cosmologist Sir Arthur Eddington, said,