Comparison of Photosynthesis Production and Solar Cells
Photosynthesis is the process through which plants, algae, and some forms of bacteria, use the sun’s energy to make their own food. Through this process, plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen (Agrios, 2005). By observing this process, scientists were able to develop devices, which they used to harness the sun’s energy into making electricity. A semiconductor-based solar cell is used to convert energy and light from the sun into electricity. The two processes of solar energy conversion are different, and they involve different processes and materials. However, both processes have some similarities, which are visible in the way they use the sun’s energy, and use it to make useful products.
One of the major similarities between plant cells and the solar cells is their ability to harness the sun’s energy and convert this energy into different usable products. The chloroplasts in the plant cells harness energy from the sun through photosynthesis. The chlorophyll in the chloroplasts absorbs this energy, and they use it to make food. The plants can use the glucose produced during this process in activities such as respiration, or they can convert it to starch and store it for later use. The solar cells trap the energy from the sun and they convert this energy to electricity. The chloroplasts in the plant cells are comparable to the semiconductors in the solar cells, in that they both perform the same function of trapping the energy from the sun. Electrons in both plant cells and solar cells are released, once the cells absorb the sunlight. An electron in plant cells is released when the chlorophyll absorbs sunlight. The photoelectric effect enable silicon layers in the solar cells absorb sunlight and they release electrons.
Plant cells and solar cells have some differences in their functions and mode of energy production. While plant cells are biological and natural products, solar cells are man made devices used for converting the sun’s energy. The solar cells are made from silicon, which contain electrodes. Plant cells convert the energy absorbed into chemical energy, while solar cells convert this energy into electrical energy. Another difference is that plant cells make fuel after absorbing energy, while solar cells make electricity. Unlike plant cells, solar cells produce heat but do not consume it (Teng & Shields, 2010)
The first law of thermodynamics states, “Energy can neither be created nor destroyed” (Karp, 2009 p. 85). However, energy can be transformed from one form to another. During photosynthesis, the plants do not create their own energy, but they use the energy from the sun. The plants transform the light energy from the sun into chemical energy, which powers most of life’s processes. This transformation does not lead to the destruction of the sun’s energy. However many the plants on the earth are, the sun’s energy remains constant. The second law of thermodynamics posits that some loss occurs during energy transformation. Plants only use a small percentage of the converted energy. The plants do not utilize all of the sun’s energy through photosynthesis, but they reflect some of this energy as heat.
The laws of thermodynamics apply to semiconductor-based cells. The cells convert light energy from the sun to electric energy. The solar panels absorb a small amount of electricity and convert it into electricity. The solar panels are able to produce heat from the absorbed light. Most of the sunlight that strikes the solar cells is reflected as heat, without having induced any electric current. In addition, more heat is produced as electricity moves through wires. Through this, they fulfill the second law of thermodynamics, which provides for lack of optimal efficiency in energy use (Teng & Shields, 2010).
References
Agrios, N. G. (2005). Plant pathology. Burlington, MA: Academic Press
Karp, G. (2009). Cell and molecular biology: Concepts and experiments. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons
Teng, O., & Shields, S. (2010). Solar cells versus plant cells: In defense of chlorophyll. Retrieved from http://larouchepac.com/node/15708
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