To prove that their innovation works, the team ran several tests. In a solar simulator, it achieved a photothermal efficiency of 91.27%, meaning almost all the light hitting it became usable heat.
Engineered wood provides solar power even after the sun goes down
https://techxplore.com/news/2026-04-wood-solar-power-sun.html
4 Comments
neukenindekeuken@sh.itjust.works · 9 pts · 149d
Cool tech/ideas. Not very practical.
Storing your excess energy in batteries for the night after the sun goes down is far, far, far more economical and practical and already in use.
rako@tarte.nuage-libre.fr · 3 pts · 149d
Considering how much of energy is used for heating, this might still be interesting. But probably not for electricity generation
Quilotoa@lemmy.ca · 8 pts · 149d
The problem is that turning heat to electricity using thermoelectric generators is hugely ineffecient. And there wouldn't be enough heat produced to create steam for steam turbines.
ageownage@slrpnk.net · 2 pts · 147d
You are right, it would be nearly useless to generate electricity, but it could be use to save some. IIRC, heating of water and the home account for roughly 20% of power consumption. Harnessing that heat could help supplement those systems, thus saving a little electricity.