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jdmetz t1_iqy2vcq wrote

Reply to comment by phitfacility in Solar power world record broken with ‘miracle material’ by NickDanger3di

I don't understand - are you comparing the efficiency of solar cells at converting sunlight into electricity to the efficiency of an ICE at converting hydrocarbons to mechanical motion? Aren't those completely different types of processes with no relation to each other?

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teddy78 t1_iqy4lfb wrote

Agreed. It’s a total apple to oranges comparison.

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GarugasRevenge t1_iqyxl9o wrote

You can convert W | VA to HP although there is a multiplier. I don't understand the comparison much either, as solar beats ICE in carbon footprint every time.

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Wisdom_like_science t1_iqzkvxt wrote

Probably because solar power is energy return over 20-25 years, while oil wells front load their energy return giving ~50% in the first year of operation.

So you are correct they aren't really comparable...which is a real problem for energy security and the viability of solar in EROI terms.

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Andy802 t1_iqz27jf wrote

More like apples to rocks. Sometimes they are both roundish.

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Kruzat t1_iqy8vov wrote

Yah, this is easily one of the dumbest comments I've seen on this sub. That and the person that said to ban EVs.

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