Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

What's even more impressive is that compared to similar foreign products, its energy density, cycle life, and low-temperature performance are all significantly superior. None of the imported prototypes we currently have can outperform it.

This sense of security, that "we're actually ahead of the pack," warmed the hearts of every member.

After repeated testing, this new type of solar panel has proven capable of reliably powering large equipment. With it, long-standing problems such as power outages during field expeditions, loss of communication at border outposts, and equipment malfunctions on the battlefield have all found reliable solutions.

Even though the current cost is relatively high, its irreplaceable mobility and strategic value are enough to enable its rapid deployment. It is especially useful for special scenarios such as polar scientific expeditions, high-altitude training, and island defense, as it is a godsend.

In the submitted materials, Professor Li meticulously and clearly outlined Xiao Yao's core contributions.

This achievement might not seem earth-shattering on a national scale, but when the leaders saw the words "undergraduates of Peking University's gifted program," they immediately wrote a note: "The gifted program is well-run! Its educational effectiveness is evident!"

The establishment of the gifted class was personally decided by the top management, with the aim of selecting and cultivating top talents ahead of time.

This was just the beginning when Xiao Yao emerged, immediately reassuring the decision-makers that they were on the right track. With one Xiao Yao appearing, a string of others will naturally follow, using their youth and wisdom to create a bright future for the nation's technology.

Because of this instruction, the leaders of Peking University were summoned for a special meeting, and their faces were beaming with pride.

Professor Chen hadn't expected Lin Wan to deliver such a resounding blow so quickly.

Even more unexpectedly, his superiors specifically praised him.

Professor Chen, whose ideas coincided with Professor Li's, immediately met with several senior professors in the department to discuss the matter. They unanimously decided that Xiao Yao would be admitted to a doctoral program without examination and would become a formal graduate student effective immediately.

He personally approved on the spot to appoint Xiao Yao as a research assistant and to carefully cultivate him as his last disciple.

Xiao Yao was still organizing data at the research institute when he heard his colleague shout, "You'll be getting your graduation certificate in June!" He was stunned for a moment, and his heart skipped a beat—the happiness came too fast, and he almost missed it.

In addition to graduating early, he also received a special award of 2,000 yuan, and his treatment was upgraded to the standard of a researcher: a monthly salary of 100 yuan, all food and accommodation included, uniform provided, and various allowances calculated separately.

……

No one on the team felt that the treatment was excessive.

Everyone knows that Xiao Yao's new approach saved at least half a year of trial and error and bypassed dozens of ineffective experiments.

Although the power station has not yet been built, once this energy storage panel is mass-produced, it can save the country a large amount of foreign exchange procurement costs every year.

Clutching the prize money, Xiao Yao walked briskly.

In fact, with the current social security system that covers all his food, clothing, housing, and transportation needs, plus a stable income, this money is no longer a means of livelihood for him.

This reminded him of a sentence he read in his childhood: "In books there are thousands of bushels of grain, in books there are houses of gold."

What truly warmed his heart were the circuit diagrams he had drawn himself, the parameters he had adjusted, and the experimental records he had signed—they were gradually transforming into the electricity that protected the country, the lights that illuminated the border, and the lifeline that supported scientific research.

Seeing his colleagues high-fiving and celebrating the new prototype with shining eyes, Xiao Yao straightened his back as well.

In the past, when he read those solar energy documents, he often only had a superficial understanding and was completely confused; now, he plans to use his accumulated energy points to exchange for the few key documents that are missing.

With the change in status, the workload also increased.

In the past, he would at most help record data, run errands, and chime in at meetings; now he has to monitor progress, check for deviations, sort out logic, and independently undertake module experiments.

And indeed, thanks to his breakthrough, the overall progress of this project more than doubled.

Xiao Yao felt at ease and at ease.

It turns out that the formulas in books, the derivations in class, and the literature studied late into the night can truly grow into steel and strong, taking root in the places where the motherland needs them most.

This is what it feels like to transform knowledge into power—substantial and grounded, taking each step with purpose.

He is now particularly eager to delve into the deeper waters of knowledge, to acquire more core skills, so as to provide a more solid framework for this project.

Xiao Yao knew very well that this project was extremely important.

Whether it's an old-fashioned coal-fired power plant or a newly emerging nuclear power plant, they either harbor hidden dangers or consume enormous amounts of energy; but solar power generation? It's reliable, clean, and readily available from sunlight, inexhaustible and limitless.

If we can really overcome this hurdle, the nationwide power supply crisis will be greatly relieved.

The cities of our motherland are one step closer to that brightly lit, dazzling tomorrow.

The books recommended by the system may not be top-tier now, but by today's standards, they are already exceptional.

Xiao Yao spent only three days devouring two books on solar energy, and the vague lines in his mind finally began to connect and take shape.

Lin Wan had already thoroughly studied both books, even turning the margins of the pages into rough, worn-out notes.

"Reading a book a hundred times is not as good as trying it yourself—host, are you really at ease if you don't take action?"

"My lab? At most, it's equipped with a beaker and a multimeter, and it only does a little bit of basic stuff." Xiao Yao shook his head.

"Now, this system can unlock advanced laboratories for you—the equipment precision, environmental control, and data acquisition are all far superior to what you are currently using."

"Oh, the sun has risen in the west? You weren't always this generous system." Xiao Yao narrowed his eyes, his words laced with sarcasm.

"Because you didn't accumulate enough energy points before."

"Ha, they're definitely not pushovers—this lab's probably going to empty my wallet, huh?"

"One project, four points of energy. For example, if you are working on a solar power plant project, you can only do this one thing, but all the supporting materials, parameter libraries, and simulation models will be provided for you."

"You have the face of a street vendor, System, who has led you astray?" Xiao Yao joked with a smile.

"I learned it from you," the system replied crisply.

—Am I that mercenary? How come I didn't realize it myself?

Energy points are indeed precious and shouldn't be wasted on the five dimensions, but the temptation is too strong to resist.

Although Xiao Yao was involved in projects in the real laboratory, he was only a peripheral figure; he couldn't access the core data or rely on first-hand information.

The principles, formulas, and configurations written in books will remain in limbo unless one builds, tests, and adjusts them personally—he himself is unsure whether he truly understands them or merely thinks he does.

Trading four points for a real opportunity for verification is worthwhile.

He quickly calculated in his mind: It's not that I'm at a disadvantage, it's that the system is giving me a benefit—once the thought changed, he felt relieved.

Without hesitation, I crossed out four points and stepped into the system laboratory.

The moment the door opened, a bright and clean sight greeted me: the instruments gleamed, the interface was crisp, the temperature control was silent, and even the air seemed clean and crisp.

What's even more impressive is that a silver-gray smart robot was already waiting by the side, with a clear voice, accurate explanations, and full-time video assistance.

With this space available, the research process became smoother, faster, and more stable.

After a month, Xiao Yao had finished reading six more practical manuals on solar energy applications.

The numbers on the progress chart didn't jump very high, but the "toolbox" in my mind clearly became much thicker.

However, the more they delved into it, the more they discovered a fatal weakness: the DC power generation path that the team focused on was quick to learn and effective, but once they wanted to expand it to thousands of households, the standards were difficult to unify, the interfaces were not universal, and grid connection was like fighting – making it extremely difficult to promote.

The only advantage? The structure is simple, and it's easy to achieve results.

Until the intelligent robot casually remarked, "Alternating current photovoltaic power generation is the right solution for civilian applications."

These words were like a stone thrown into water—ripples spread outwards in circles.

While others are still focused on DC routes, if he suddenly unveils a mature communication solution, the entire project's direction will have to change course.

Xiao Yao didn't rush to shout. He knew what he was doing: he needed to first gather solid data and present a complete chain of evidence before taking the report to the professors for a chat.

Shouting slogans out of thin air? That won't break the deadlock, it will only create more chaos.

On the other hand, several senior researchers in the project team often met in the tea room, at the stairwell, or on their way home from get off work.

These meetings are anonymous, without recording or written minutes, and every word is spoken from the heart.

The topic kept circling back to the current research and development path.

Professor Li sighed: "We have limited data on the DC route, and we're stuck on conversion efficiency, unable to move forward."

"I heard that AC photovoltaic systems are already being promoted overseas? Old Li, is this news accurate?" a white-haired professor asked as he approached.

"There are rumors, but there's been no follow-up on specific parameters, prototype progress, test reports... Professor Li frowned."

These days, secrecy is an ironclad rule. Finding out what someone is doing is already an incredible feat; trying to dig deeper? No way.

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

The technological gap isn't due to laziness, but rather a late start and weak foundation, meaning we're always chasing after others.

The few steps forward we've made in the last two years are thanks to countless people who have worked themselves to the bone, worn out their pens, and ruined their health.

When will we be able to run side by side, or even lead the way? This group of people has been waiting for this day for far too long.

Seeing the atmosphere was somber, Professor Li immediately raised his voice to comfort him: "Don't be discouraged! We must have confidence in our country. Talented people come one after another. The paths we didn't succeed on, others will take up. Xiao Yao's new design was only half a year ahead of similar designs abroad, wasn't it? That's a real breakthrough! The country is concentrating its resources to nurture talents like him."

Mentioning Xiao Yao would light up everyone's eyes and make them smile.

These words, of course, would not be spread.

The older generation is protecting the newcomers, afraid that if they realize the gap between them is too big, their enthusiasm will be dampened.

We must wait until the fruit is truly borne before pointing out the next mountain to them—the road is long, but every step must be taken firmly.

……

Xiao Yao was so engrossed in his blueprints and data that he was completely oblivious to the latest international scientific research developments.

He used to think that the times were moving too slowly, but after really getting down to the point, he realized that it wasn't that the times were slow, but that the country had just pulled its feet out of the mud.