If you want to build a solar panel or a solar water heater, there are various concepts you must know. This article will go through the fundamentals so they can help you design the best solar energy system ever.
These concepts, basic as they seem, are actually quite important. This is because every PV panel and solar heater design revolves around them, no matter how complicated they are.
1. Light transmission. Light transmission is important when you are choosing a cover for your PV panel frame. Obviously, when more light passes through, solar panels and solar heaters become more efficient.
2. Light absorption. When light is absorbed, it is usually converted into heat energy. In some circumstances it is converted into electricity. Good solar absorption is crucial for solar heaters. The more radiation you are able to absorb, the better your heater works.
However this concept is not confined to heaters. If photovoltaic cells are too reflective, they end up throwing back most of the solar energy they receive. Thus engineers coat their semiconductors with an anti-reflection substance to prevent reflection.
3. Scattering. Light is scattered when particles get in the way. This happens on a foggy day or when it rains. We can't control these situations. But we can remove the dust that settle on PV panels. We can also choose materials that discourage dust from settling. Alternatively, we can apply different coatings on the panel to achieve this effect.
4. Reflection. As discussed, reflection lowers the efficiency of many solar energy systems. However it becomes useful when we are talking about solar concentrators. These device reflect light from many angles and concentrate them onto a particular spot or area.
This is like a magnifying glass that concentrates light onto a small spot. With this energy (gathered from the sun), we can use it for heating or cooking.
5. Heat conduction. Heat affects the performance of solar panels and solar heaters. Thus if we know how different materials conduct heat, we can channel heat effectively towards where we want it to be. For example, solar panels become less effective when it gets too hot. Thus if we can conduct heat away from the panels, we can maintain its efficiency.
6. Convection. The reason why we do not install solar panels too near to the roof is because we want air to flow freely between them. When convection occurs, more heat is removed from the solar panel array and this helps to lower its temperature.
7. Radiation. There isn't much you can help when it comes to radiated heat affecting the performance of your solar panels. All you can do is make your solar panel frame reflective. Less radiated heat is absorbed when you use reflective surfaces.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6339017
These concepts, basic as they seem, are actually quite important. This is because every PV panel and solar heater design revolves around them, no matter how complicated they are.
1. Light transmission. Light transmission is important when you are choosing a cover for your PV panel frame. Obviously, when more light passes through, solar panels and solar heaters become more efficient.
2. Light absorption. When light is absorbed, it is usually converted into heat energy. In some circumstances it is converted into electricity. Good solar absorption is crucial for solar heaters. The more radiation you are able to absorb, the better your heater works.
However this concept is not confined to heaters. If photovoltaic cells are too reflective, they end up throwing back most of the solar energy they receive. Thus engineers coat their semiconductors with an anti-reflection substance to prevent reflection.
3. Scattering. Light is scattered when particles get in the way. This happens on a foggy day or when it rains. We can't control these situations. But we can remove the dust that settle on PV panels. We can also choose materials that discourage dust from settling. Alternatively, we can apply different coatings on the panel to achieve this effect.
4. Reflection. As discussed, reflection lowers the efficiency of many solar energy systems. However it becomes useful when we are talking about solar concentrators. These device reflect light from many angles and concentrate them onto a particular spot or area.
This is like a magnifying glass that concentrates light onto a small spot. With this energy (gathered from the sun), we can use it for heating or cooking.
5. Heat conduction. Heat affects the performance of solar panels and solar heaters. Thus if we know how different materials conduct heat, we can channel heat effectively towards where we want it to be. For example, solar panels become less effective when it gets too hot. Thus if we can conduct heat away from the panels, we can maintain its efficiency.
6. Convection. The reason why we do not install solar panels too near to the roof is because we want air to flow freely between them. When convection occurs, more heat is removed from the solar panel array and this helps to lower its temperature.
7. Radiation. There isn't much you can help when it comes to radiated heat affecting the performance of your solar panels. All you can do is make your solar panel frame reflective. Less radiated heat is absorbed when you use reflective surfaces.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6339017