Solar panel - Revision history

Michel Lamontagne at 14:54, 4 September 2024

2024-09-04T14:54:47Z

Michel Lamontagne: /* Removal */

2024-09-04T14:51:58Z

Removal

Michel Lamontagne: /* Removal */

2024-09-04T14:51:19Z

Removal

Michel Lamontagne: /* Removal */

2024-09-04T14:47:30Z

Removal

Michel Lamontagne: /* Removal */

2024-09-04T14:47:09Z

Removal

Michel Lamontagne: /* Prevention */

2024-09-04T14:46:11Z

Prevention

Michel Lamontagne: /* Brushing */

2024-09-04T14:44:54Z

Brushing

Michel Lamontagne: /* Net energy gain (NEG) */

2024-09-04T14:41:12Z

Net energy gain (NEG)

Michel Lamontagne: /* Dust Covers */

2021-11-04T15:05:53Z

Dust Covers

Michel Lamontagne: /* Average energy available */

2021-11-04T15:03:21Z

Average energy available

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 '''Sun-powered water splitter''' generate [[hydrogen]] and [[oxygen]] directly from sunlight.<ref>[http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18511-sunpowered-water-splitter-makes-hydrogen-tirelessly.html New Scientist - Sun-powered water splitter makes hydrogen tirelessly]</ref> This is an emerging technology with the chance of high efficient energy generation in combination with [[energy storage]].
-Solar panels begin to lose usefulness for deep space and outer solar system missions (i.e. the [[Cassini]] mission to Saturn or the [[Voyager]] program) where [[radioisotope thermoelectric generator]]s are the favoured (if controversial) means to generate [[electricity]].
+Solar panels begin to lose usefulness for deep space and outer solar system missions (i.e. the [[Cassini]] mission to Saturn or the [[Voyager]] program) where [[radioisotope thermoelectric generator]]s are the favored means to generate [[electricity]].
 [[Image:Iss.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The [[International Space Station]] in Earth orbit. The huge solar arrays provide the station's electrical power.]]

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 *Blown Air: Air movement seems to pose the least risk of damage to the panels themselves. This may be accomplished with simple bellows or fans.  If fans are used, due to build-up of dust miniparticles (caused mostly by static electricity) it may still require additional care in long term.
 *Brushing: The use of a brush or a rubber squeegee (what is the international term for this?) would be more energy efficient than blown air, but poses a greater risk of damage to the panel. A brushing mechanism could be installed along with the panels, and programmed to clean on command, or upon detection of decreased energy output.
-*Shaking: A vibration mechanism might remove dust from
+*Shaking: A vibration mechanism might remove dust from sun tracking arrays.
 *Electrostatic: Charge removal from the dust might stop the dust from sticking to the panels.

@@ Line 65: / Line 65: @@
 *Blown Air: Air movement seems to pose the least risk of damage to the panels themselves. This may be accomplished with simple bellows or fans.  If fans are used, due to build-up of dust miniparticles (caused mostly by static electricity) it may still require additional care in long term.
 *Brushing: The use of a brush or a rubber squeegee (what is the international term for this?) would be more energy efficient than blown air, but poses a greater risk of damage to the panel. A brushing mechanism could be installed along with the panels, and programmed to clean on command, or upon detection of decreased energy output.
 *Electrostatic: Charge removal from the dust might stop the dust from sticking to the panels.

@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 ===Removal===
 Dust may be removed by several means. Care must be given not to scratch the surface of the panel during removal.
-*Blown Air: Air movement seems to pose the least risk of damage to the panels themselves. This may be accomplished with simple bellows or fans.
+*Blown Air: Air movement seems to pose the least risk of damage to the panels themselves. This may be accomplished with simple bellows or fans.  If fans are used, due to build-up of dust miniparticles (caused mostly by static electricity) it may still require additional care in long term.
 *Brushing: The use of a brush or a rubber squeegee (what is the international term for this?) would be more energy efficient than blown air, but poses a greater risk of damage to the panel. A brushing mechanism could be installed along with the panels, and programmed to clean on command, or upon detection of decreased energy output.
 *Electrostatic: Charge removal from the dust might stop the dust from sticking to the panels.

@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 ===Removal===
 Dust may be removed by several means. Care must be given not to scratch the surface of the panel during removal.
-=====Blown Air=====
+*Blown Air: Air movement seems to pose the least risk of damage to the panels themselves. This may be accomplished with simple bellows or fans.
 If fans are used, due to build-up of dust miniparticles (caused mostly by static electricity) it may still require additional care in long term.
+*Brushing: The use of a brush or a rubber squeegee (what is the international term for this?) would be more energy efficient than blown air, but poses a greater risk of damage to the panel. A brushing mechanism could be installed along with the panels, and programmed to clean on command, or upon detection of decreased energy output.
-=====Brushing=====
+*Electrostatic: Charge removal from the dust might stop the dust from sticking to the panels.
 ==External links==

@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 ===Prevention===
 Prevention is typically more energy efficient than removal, though both are needed.
-=====Location=====
+*Location: Proper location of the panels is the first step in preventing dust accumulation. Low lying areas should be avoided, as should the leeward side of structures and rocks.
-Proper location of the panels is the first step in preventing dust accumulation. Low lying areas should be avoided, as should the leeward side of structures and rocks.
+*Angle: If panels are stationary, they should be installed at an angle. If they are motorized, they should be oriented perpendicular to the ground at night and during dust storms. This allows [[gravity]] to pull the dust off the panels.
-=====Angle=====
+*Dust Covers: Dust covers can be deployed over the panels at night or during dust storms.  However, during even the worst dust storms energy remains available through diffuse solar and covering the panels would probably be counterproductive.
 ===Removal===

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:44, 4 September 2024
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	The use of a brush or a rubber squeegee (what is the international term for this?) would be more energy efficient than blown air, but poses a greater risk of damage to the panel. A brushing mechanism could be installed along with the panels, and programmed to clean on command, or upon detection of decreased energy output.		The use of a brush or a rubber squeegee (what is the international term for this?) would be more energy efficient than blown air, but poses a greater risk of damage to the panel. A brushing mechanism could be installed along with the panels, and programmed to clean on command, or upon detection of decreased energy output.

		+	=====Electrostatic=====
		+	Charge removal from the dust might stop the dust from sticking to the panels.

	==External links==		==External links==

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 *Placing the solar panel underground and directing light to it by mirror through an angled tunnel.
-The production of photovoltaic cells consumes an amount of energy. This amount must be taken into account to find out, whether or not photovoltaic cells can be a long term source of energy. With current technology the break-even energy payback time is about 2 to 4 years. Thin film cells have a better NEG than crystalline cells, for they consume less energy during the production process. A positive NEG is one of the [[crucial issues]] in planning an [[autonomous colony]].
+The production of photovoltaic cells consumes a large amount of energy. This amount must be taken into account to find out whether or not photovoltaic cells can be a long term source of energy. With current technology the break-even energy payback time is about 2 to 4 years on Earth. Thin film cells have a better NEG than crystalline cells, for they consume less energy during the production process. A positive NEG is one of the [[crucial issues]] in planning an [[autonomous colony]].
 ==Dust Accumulation==

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 *Solar cell efficiency: 0,2 to 0,3
-So the average power might be : 590*0,8*0,9*0,8*0,25*0,3 = 25 W/m2 for 30% efficiency and 16 W/m2 for 20% efficiency
+So the average power might be : 590 W/m2*0,8*0,9*0,8*0,25*0,3 = 25 W/m2 for 30% efficiency and 16 W/m2 for 20% efficiency
-and the '''average energy per day''' would be : 25 x 24= 0,6 kWh/m2  (2,16 MJ/m2) for 30% efficiency and 0,4 kWh/m2 (1,440 MJ/m2) for 20% efficiency.
+and the '''average energy per day''' would be : 25 W/m2 x 24h= 0,6 kWh/m2  (2,16 MJ/m2) for 30% efficiency and 0,4 kWh/m2 (1,440 MJ/m2) for 20% efficiency.
-The '''peak solar power''' might be 590*.8*.9*.8*.3 = 100 W/m2 for 30% efficiency and 67 W/m2 for 20% efficiency
+The '''peak solar power''' might be 590 W/m2*.8*.9*.8*.3 = 100 W/m2 for 30% efficiency and 67 W/m2 for 20% efficiency
 ===Sun tracking===