[the8472]

The 1% of photosynthesis is end-to-end efficiency, from the whole solar spectrum IN to the carbohydrates OUT.

The PV efficiency on the other hand only gives you electrons and you need electrolysis and bacterial metabolism on top which have their own losses.

[rklaehn]

Sure. But electrolysis is >70% efficient, so even if the bacterial metabolism is only 30% efficient the end to end efficiency is a factor of 10 higher.

You are also going straight to complex proteins, whereas photosynthesis produces just basic hydrocarbons.