The Finest Solar Technology Doesn't Come from a Lab | The Institute for Creation Research

The Finest Solar Technology Doesn't Come from a Lab

Advances in solar cell technology have produced a new European record of 39.7 percent efficiency. The result was attributed to improved “contact structures” of solar cells, according to Frank Dimroth at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg.1

Although other labs have solar cell prototypes that have reached and exceeded 40 percent efficiency,2 some researchers are concerned that unless an improvement in energy storage is achieved, trying to make progress in harvesting solar energy might be a waste of time. Solar cells do not operate in the dark, so if the energy they capture in daylight cannot be stored, it cannot be used at night or on cloudy days.

While this presents a problem for scientists, God has already invented efficient solar energy capture and storage mechanisms—in plants. These God-devised “solar cells” convert solar energy into chemical energy, rather than electric. They draw on specific wavelengths of light and typically use eight photons to store one molecule of carbon dioxide. This adds up to 1665 kilo-Joules (a standard unit of energy) of light that are required to store 477 kJ of chemical energy in the plant, resulting in a maximum efficiency of 28.6 percent.

However, like solar cell panels, unless plant cells store their energy in a stable yet retrievable form, their systems would all shut down within minutes in the dark. Collections of sugar molecules, typically in the form of starch, serve as plant “batteries” by storing the chemical energy. This chemical energy can then be accessed during dark night hours, or even longer if necessary.

Even with at most 28.6 percent efficiency, the energy system of plants is able to provide enough power to fuel the light-to-energy collection and storage machines themselves, as well as support all the other plant equipment and processes—including DNA, protein, and vitamins, and both intra- and extracellular nutrient transportation. These systems can also energize the formation of fruits and vegetables for the benefit of other creatures.3 Moreover, these energy collection and storage systems are seamlessly and solidly “wired” into every other plant growth and maintenance system.

Thus, even though some man-made solar cells are more efficient than plants at converting light into energy, they have limited practical applications without appropriately balanced storage, manufacturing, set-up, maintenance, and interfacing capacities. God-made solar systems are self-maintaining, self-cleaning, self-copying, self-cooling, environmentally helpful, and able to store excess energy in a format that is not only self-accessible, but also forms the staple energy source for most heterotrophic creatures on the planet. Such amazing, comprehensive design is yet further evidence of God’s purposeful provision for His creation.4

References

  1. New European Record Efficiency for Solar Cells Achieved: 39.7%. CompoundSemi Online. Posted on CompoundSemi.com September 24, 2008, accessed September 26, 2008.
  2. UD-led team sets solar cell record, joins DuPont on 100 million dollar project. University of Delaware press release, July 23, 2007.
  3. Demick, D. 2000. The Unselfish Green Gene. Acts & Facts. 29 (7).
  4. Genesis 1:29-30.

* Mr. Thomas is Science Writer.

Article posted on October 7, 2008

The Latest
NEWS
Make Plans to Attend Our Estate Planning Workshop at the Discovery...
Did you know that up to 75% of Americans over 18 have no retirement or estate plans? Don’t wait to prepare for the future. Join us on Saturday, October...

NEWS
Fossil Confusion in Ethiopia: Are Evolutionary Trees Built on...
A new study published in Nature describes the discovery of 13 fossilized teeth from the Ledi-Geraru site in Ethiopia. They have been dated to between...

NEWS
The Only Mesozoic Dragonfly in Canada—Is a Dragonfly
In 2023, an undergraduate student from McGill University discovered a new dragonfly species in Alberta, Canada. In fact, “This is the first ever...

CREATION PODCAST
Dr. Jake Hebert | Journey to ICR | The Creation Podcast: Episode...
ICR’s science staff have spent more than 50 years researching scientific evidence that refutes evolutionary philosophy...

NEWS
Oldest Evidence of Butterflies
Insects such as the ubiquitous butterfly belong to the huge phylum Arthropoda (creatures having paired, jointed appendages and a chitinous exoskeleton)....

NEWS
Another Big Mistake in Evolution
The strange and wonderful coelacanth1 has long been a challenge to evolutionists. The coelacanth has long been hailed as an ancestor...

ACTS & FACTS
ICR 2025 Resource Catalog
At the Institute for Creation Research, our mission is not only to conduct research demonstrating how science confirms Scripture but also to share this...

NEWS
Show Your Love for the ICR Discovery Center on North Texas Giving...
Thursday, September 18, is North Texas Giving Day! We invite you to join others in supporting ICR’s unique ministry as well as our creation museum...

NEWS
Living Gyroscope in Flies
The lowly fruit fly (Drosophila) is the research biologist’s friend in fields such as biomedical science, genetics, and developmental biology....

NEWS
Turning Point Founder Charlie Kirk Is Now with the Lord
Courageous Christian and creation supporter Charlie Kirk was murdered on September 10, 2025, while speaking at a Turning Point USA event held at Utah...