- #1
chhitiz
- 221
- 0
i was thinking- how about replacing solar panels by thermopiles for street lighting and using the sewers as a heat sink. they don't have to be doped and so are cheaper. any reason why this idea hasn't been used before?
chhitiz said:i was thinking- how about replacing solar panels by thermopiles for street lighting and using the sewers as a heat sink. they don't have to be doped and so are cheaper. any reason why this idea hasn't been used before?
Thermopiles are devices that convert thermal energy into electrical energy. They consist of multiple thermocouples connected in series, which generate a voltage when exposed to a temperature gradient. This is known as the Seebeck effect.
Thermopiles and solar panels both convert energy into electricity, but they use different mechanisms. Solar panels use photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity, while thermopiles use temperature differences.
No, thermopiles cannot replace solar panels entirely. While they have the potential to generate electricity from sources such as body heat or waste heat, they are not as efficient as solar panels and cannot produce the same amount of energy from sunlight.
One advantage of thermopiles is that they can generate electricity even in low light or at night, while solar panels require sunlight. Additionally, thermopiles do not rely on expensive and fragile photovoltaic materials, making them potentially more cost-effective in the long run.
Yes, there are some limitations to using thermopiles over solar panels. Thermopiles are less efficient at converting energy and typically produce lower voltages, which may require additional components for practical use. They also have a limited temperature range and may not be suitable for all environments.