What do photonic crystals allow solar panels to absorb and convert more efficiently?

Photonic crystals enhance the efficiency of solar panels primarily by affecting how light interacts with the materials of the panels. These structures are designed to manipulate light at the nanoscale, allowing them to filter, guide, and trap light more effectively than traditional materials. This manipulation facilitates the absorption of a broader spectrum of light, enhancing the energy harvested from sunlight.

While heat plays a role in the overall performance of solar panels, photonic crystals specifically improve the way light is gathered and converted into electricity. By optimizing light absorption, they can increase the amount of energy generated by solar cells, enabling more effective conversion of light into usable power.

In contrast to the other options, such as sound and wind, which are not directly relevant to the functionality of solar panels in the context of light absorption and conversion, it is clear that the focus here is on light and its properties—making it the appropriate choice over heat, which does not capture the essence of photonic crystal technology.