re: Wouldn't DC (direct current) applications work better with PV Cells?

Space/Science » in reply to Wouldn't DC (direct current) applications work better with PV Cells?

Art Martin — 7/12/2004 11:52:49 PM (archived)

Motors work very efficiently with AC because the alternating current creates a natural rotating magnetic field (especially in 3 phase situations). DC motors must compensate by elaborate brush and commutator setups that wear out and create losses. There are some new brushless DC motors but my guess is that they have mini-inverters in them to do away with the brushes.

Lighting would be much easier and safer with low voltage DC at least in the case of incandescent lighting. For flourescents you'd once again have to invert the input into AC and step it up.

The whole thread (23 posts)

Update on flexible solar cells - Tom Brosz - 7/7/2004 8:27:57 AM
- The efficiency is the most important figure, more important even than cost. - David F Mayer - 7/7/2004 5:37:35 PM
  - solar power satellites - Arthur Smith - 7/8/2004 9:22:18 PM
    - solar power satellites: Still a totally worthless idea. - David F Mayer - 7/9/2004 7:40:48 PM
      - your analysis is flawed... - Adam - 7/14/2004 12:11:07 AM
        
        Geosynch has some real advantages over a LaGrange point for SPS - Larry J - 7/14/2004 3:50:17 AM
      - Some comments - Larry J - 7/12/2004 2:19:45 PM
      - I have a lot of confidence in human ingenuity. - Tom Brosz - 7/10/2004 4:00:26 AM
        
        In real dollars, launch costs have NOT declined in 30 years. - David F Mayer - 7/12/2004 9:23:08 AM
      - I think your assumptions are optimistic - Dave M - 7/9/2004 9:36:29 PM
        
        Surely you are right. Solar Power Satellite is a VERY BAD IDEA. (n/t) - David F Mayer - 7/12/2004 9:20:44 AM
  - No need for storage - Art Martin - 7/8/2004 4:34:36 PM
    - Art is right. - Tom Brosz - 7/9/2004 7:08:07 AM
      - Wouldn't DC (direct current) applications work better with PV Cells? - Scott Evil - 7/9/2004 5:57:45 PM
        
        re: Wouldn't DC (direct current) applications work better with PV Cells? - Art Martin - 7/12/2004 11:52:49 PM
        
        The biggest reason why alternating current is used so much... - Larry J - 7/9/2004 6:40:35 PM
  - re: The efficiency is the most important figure, more important even than cost. - Adam - 7/8/2004 12:24:25 AM
- I'm glad you brought up this topic. - Jacob Samorodin - 7/7/2004 5:09:01 PM
- re: Update on flexible solar cells - Larry J - 7/7/2004 2:04:57 PM
  - re: Update on flexible solar cells - Tom Brosz - 7/7/2004 4:23:23 PM
    - I have one - Delbert - 7/8/2004 12:15:28 AM
      - re: I have one - Larry J - 7/8/2004 3:21:33 AM
- Hope these work! (n/t) - Bowser - 7/7/2004 1:24:09 PM

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