solar cell
Outer Space / Technology

A device that converts solar energy into electric energy. Numerous solar cells employing silicon semiconductors could be found during the 20th century, but the highest energy conversion rates they ever achieved were no more than 20%. However, with the major advances in production environments that came with moving out into space, scientists succeeded in developing an amorphous semiconductor composed of silicon, tellurium, and arsenic, previously impossible, with an energy conversion rate of 60%. Furthermore, previous solar cells could only convert a very narrow wavelength of the Sun's rays into energy, but with the introduction of this amorphous semiconductor, cells can now convert the entire electromagnetic spectrum into energy. Beyond Coast's 3 mirrors employ such hybrid solar cells, which supply over 70% of the colony's total energy needs. All solar cars on the colony also use these cells and this conversion system.