Are plants more efficient at capturing the sun's energy than solar cells?

Question

Please don't answer unless you know for certain, sources preferrable.

Answer 1

Solar cells. They use to be about the same, but the new technology is much more efficient.
http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196602149
http://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/education/ask/index.html?quid=1021

Answer 2

Well, I can't say for certain, but I'm going to answer anyway. Plants don't "capture" the energy at all, remember - they just use it to trigger photosynthesis. Solar cells, on the other hand, do trap energy in a sense, by converting it to electricity, and (presumably) storing it, although of course there's no storage inherent in a solar cell. All in all, I'd say you're comparing apples and oranges, because you're talking about two completely different purposes.

Answer 3

Stupid answers so far. I'm sorry I don't know, but I am sure it would depend on what type of plant & solar cell you were comparing.
I really wanted to answer just to point ou how bad the first two answers are... To both of them, energy can be stored in chemical bonds (photosynthesis) or as kinetic energy (using a field to accellerate electrons, eg. solar cell)

So the second person, your logic is just plain wrong, I don't really know how I can explain it...

Answer 4

plants have chlrophyll in them.they can utilise it to make their own food.solar cells convert one form of energy to other.for instance, one small plant can utilise solar energy.it will fulfill all his needs.it will both grow and survive.that's why plants are more efficient.