libby Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I would assume a covering of ice particles on the solar panel (as on a windscreen) prevents direct light from entering the cell system therefore reducing electrical activity ? Or ............. does the ice covering actually ATTRACT more light due to its branch-like tentacles and sparkling appearance ABOVE the flat surface ? And ......... possibly mean that light can be collected from a 'side' angle similar to a direct 'square on' attitude ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spospe Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Libby From my own measurements of the solar panel on our 'van, anything on the surface of the panel reduces the output. Even cleaning off a light layer of dust with a damp cloth improved the output (only by 100 m/a). I can see your logic in hoping that a layer of crystals could act like a series of prisms and increase the collecting area and it does seem theoretically possible. However, as stated above, I have only ever seen the output go down, not up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Dunno about a solar panel as we don't use 'em, but frost on the outside of the windows makes it darker inside of the van and on that basis I would maybe expect it to reduce solar panel effectiveness? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spospe Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Tracker A brilliant observation! Now why did I not think of that analogy, it is so obvious when pointed out! Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libby Posted January 4, 2009 Author Share Posted January 4, 2009 Some good thoughts there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankkia Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I agree with Tracker that frost will cut down the available light to the solar. I did read an article about a year ago re an American company who had invented a screen for a solar panel which was laser etched to behave like millions of prisms and therefore concentrat more light onto the panel. This meant that you could have a higher output from a smaller panel. I wonder if it will ever get on the market? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.