this post was submitted on 20 Apr 2026
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Engineered wood provides solar power even after the sun goes down (techxplore.com)
submitted 3 weeks ago by solo@slrpnk.net to c/energy@slrpnk.net
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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.

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[–] neukenindekeuken@sh.itjust.works 7 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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 points 3 weeks ago

Considering how much of energy is used for heating, this might still be interesting. But probably not for electricity generation

[–] Quilotoa@lemmy.ca 6 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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 points 3 weeks ago

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.