/sci/ - Science & Math

>>10957243
>so why aren't we just doing solar energy through the mirror method?
We are. That is what is in the photo you posted. Did you not realize that?

>is photovoltaic really more efficient than just heating up some water with the suns heat and running that shit through a turbine,
No, PV is extremely inefficient. PV also requires chemical battery energy storage which is terribly inefficient when compared to well-insulted thermal storage systems like the plants in your image use.

>like yeah sure this method isn't usable for smaller applications
Well, their are a few technologies that take advantage of passive solar thermal cycle. Solar steam generators and solar Sterling engines for instance. There are even systems that are completely passive where there are no moving parts or electric generated/required (like what is needed for pumping liquid.)

The simplest design you can have is a solar oven for food cooking. It is just an insulated box with a window and some reflectors. Being able to use the thermal energy directly where it is needed will be the most efficient use of that energy.

Some homes have a roof system that use vacuum tubes, a pump, heat exchanger, and thermal mass storage to heat their homes and hot water. The vacuum tubes and heat exchanger have anti-freeze in their system for cold areas. Otherwise, a batch solar water heater is used in warmer climates that don't have freezing temperatures. In those locations, the design of the water heater allows for everything to be out on the roof.

>>10957478
Some people use a solar blanket on top. It insulates the water and prevents loss from evaporation too. If you couple this with a portion of the pool floor being painted black then you can get the water almost hot enough to cook with. The % of the pool floor that is black helps determine how hot it will get under optimal conditions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EahfGfDdgNY
is more efficient. and thats with current stirling engines and other not so efficient designs which could be improved. only thing holding them back is freakonomics and solar subsidies. PV relies on mining and more complex electronics manufacturing whereas stirling solar does not as much.