Solar panels as air Cherenkov detectors for extremely high energy cosmic rays

Increasing interest towards the observation of the highest energy cosmic ra ys has motivated the development of new detection techniques. The propertie s of the Cherenkov photon pulse emitted in the atmosphere by these very rar e particles indicate low-cost semiconductor detectors as good candidates fo r their optical lead-out. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the viability of solar panels for this purpose. The experimental framework resulting from measurements performed with suitably-designed solar cells and large conventional photovoltaic area s is presented. A discussion on the obtained and achievable sensitivities f ollows.