However, unlike chlorophyll, silicon cannot be used for energy-generation in its raw state, and must be processed by humans. Silicon is favored "because it remains a good conductor of electricity even after it has been heated. In order for silicon to be used for solar cells, it must be heavily heated to separate it from oxygen so that it can be further processed" (Stier 2009). Although solar energy is widely touted as a 'green' technology, the actual manufacture of silicon cells is relatively labor-intensive and results in the burning of a considerable amount of fossil fuels. In contrast, the photosynthesis that takes place in plants is truly 'green' (no pun intended). "Plants are able to create their 'solar panels' relatively inexpensively, so much so that in seasonal climates they regularly shed their leaves and rebuild them the following year using a clean, low-power energy source; out of locally-available and life-friendly materials; and which decompose into nutrients that sustain soil organisms whose by-products ultimately support the continuing growth of plants" (Stier 2009). Plant solar energy is thus naturally part of the 'circle' of life on earth and plants naturally recycle the cells used in photosynthesis. Although photosynthesis, because of its 'organic' nature is fundamentally a chemical process, while solar cells' conversion of energy is fundamentally an electrical process, both conform to the first law of thermodynamics. Commensurate with the first law of thermodynamics, energy cannot be created or transformed, merely...
"The second law says that each time energy gets transferred or transformed, some of it, and eventually all of it, gets less useful" (Second law, 2011, Flying Turtle). This is one of the problems with using green sources of energy: "We can catch some of it as it flows by, maybe with a turbine, or piston and crankshaft, maybe even a sail or wind turbine blades. We can transform some of it (but not all) into useful work" (Second law, 2011, Flying Turtle). But photosynthesis also involves energy storage as potential energy in the cells of a plant, rather than simply dissipates the excess energy as in a solar cell. Ultimately, despite the advances in solar technology, photosynthesis is a far more efficient way to generate energy than any solar panel human beings have created thus far.
Photosynthesis 1231 Plant Cell and Solar Cell: Similarities and Differences Photosynthesis is that process by which plants harness the solar energy for producing food. These cells help the plants to trap energy from the daylight. This trapped light is converted into other constituents that are then used by the plant to manufacture food. The additional components such as oxygen are released to the atmosphere. After these processes, the light energy is converted
Photosynthesis and the Laws of Thermodynamics Photosynthesis is the systematic process used by plants as a means to harness solar energy. A semiconductor-based solar cell harnesses solar energy to convert it to electricity required by and used by humans. As such, the process of photosynthesis is a contributor to both plant and solar cells. There are numerous similarities and differences between plant and solar cells; however, they both ultimately work to
Cells are known as the basic units of life. One thing that plant cells and solar cells have in common is that they are very important to humans and living things on earth. One main difference between plant cells and solar cells is how each harnesses solar energy. Plants harness solar energy to use photosynthesis. Solar cells harness solar energy to convert it to electricity. One of the main duties of
Photosynthesis & Solar Photovoltaic Technology What is photosynthesis and how does photosynthesis work? How is process of photosynthesis linked to photovoltaic technologies? How are they the same and how are they different? This paper will delve into those issues and provide answers to the questions. Photosynthesis is the process in which green plants create their own food thanks to sunlight shining on them. Animals eat other organisms for their nutrient intake, but
Around 21 billion of co2 is launched into the environment annually which is too much for the environment of Earth to neutralise or utilise normally. The manufacturing of co2 from burning non-renewable fuel sources is among the most considerably important contributing greenhouse gases. The boost of greenhouse gases in the environment is developing a substantial increase in worldwide temperature level which is a direct link in between non-renewable fuel
At the present energy set-up nuclear energy provides around 20% of world's electricity. This energy is produced naturally -- by the sun and other stars making heat and light- and artificially-electricity from nuclear power plants. The nuclear power plants produce more energy using less fuel compared to the fossil fuels and hence it is seen as an environmentally friendly energy source (Ansolabehere, et al., 2003). However, the true scope
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