The first panel is located in New England, the second is placed in the Sahara desert, the third is on the Earth side of the moon, and the last is on the far side of the moon. Which panel would absorb the most sunlight over a year's time and why ? All the panels are place in optimal places where they would get the most light available.
Well, as always, context is important. Sunlight is composed of a lot of different types and wavelengths of energy, and our atmosphere and magnetoshpere filter out a certain amount. If the question is actually which solar panel would produce the most energy (which I assume it is), we would have to look at how solar panels work. There are three different classes of solar panel function. Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly into electrical energy, but most systems are pretty low on efficiency. Solar cells can be used for generating heat, through boiling water or some other liquid frequently. And solar panels can be used to produce chemical reactions, breaking down solutions into ions, for example, and the breaking of the molecular bonds releases a certain amount of energy. So theoretically, the two sides of the moon get the same amount of solar energy, just at different times -- about 6 months of the year or so. If the solar panels were thermal energy panels, the ones on the Earth would do much better, because the moon is so much colder. The weather is the most convincing argument for comparing the Sahara and New England. New England is likely to be more cloudy and polluted than the Sahara. Since the Earth probably eclipses the moon a bit more often than the reverse, there may be a little more visible sunlight that gets to earthly solar panels, but the ones on the moon would get a greater proportion of the sunlight (more wavelengths, for example), so it would be close. The Earth eclipses only the near face of the moon, so that would give the far side of the moon a slight edge perhaps. I'd guess it would be the far-side lunar one, but too many variables to be sure.
They all face the sun about 50% of the time on average over the year. Best: far side of the moon, 2nd near side of the moon; because in the first case the panel is a moon-orbit-diameter closer to the sun at time of exposure. I think the Sahara and New England come next for reasons already given, in addition to the significant amount of energy absorbed by the atmosphere even to reach the Sahara.
probly the sahara desert since it there's not much rain there which would equal few clouds. you'd get plenty of direct sunlight. the moon is constantly orbiting earth and in different possisions with the sun which would equal less sun exposure.
Best to worst: far side of the moon, near side of the moon (same as far side, except for lunar eclipses), Sahara desert (not at 0 latitude, and occasional bad weather), New England (less favorable latitude, and LOTS of bad weather).
Best to worst- ) The Earth side of the Moon 2) Sahara Desert 3) New England 4) Far side of the Moon
