Solar PV and thermal – a marriage made in heaven?

SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS BECOME LESS EFFICIENT AS THEY GET HOTTER, A DECLINE THAT CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL ON HOT SUNNY DAYS. FURTHERMORE, SOLAR PV IS INEFFICIENT AND SOME ENERGY IS ‘LOST’ TO THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT. WHAT SOLAR PV NEEDS IS A PARTNER ABLE TO COMPLEMENT ITS STRENGTHS AND COMPENSATE ITS DEFICIENCIES. FORTUNATELY, SUCH A PARTNER EXISTS – SOLAR THERMAL. NOW IT SEEMS THE TWO ARE GETTING TOGETHER IN WHAT COULD BE A HAPPY MARRIAGE. GEORGE MARSH REPORTS.