Solar Panel + DIY Light Reflectors = More Power? Renogy vs Rich Solar vs Flexible Panel
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- Опубліковано 8 лип 2024
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FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:
Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :)
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hey dude can you do a video about snail trail on solar panel and how to prevent it
Would be interesting to revisit this with bifacial solar panels that are ground mounted with a reflector bouncing light to the back side of the pv
I have those and it's exactly why I am watching this video lol.
I wanna see that too. I need more info about how to use reflection to max out bifacial panels but also somehow keep them cool.
It seems like a no-brainer if you find a good balance between enough reflection. It’s very cheap to make such reflectors.
Also seems like the amount of sun he receives is a lot. I live in Denmark so we don’t have that much solar. Such a system here would maybe put the panels up to the rated watt output.
Will, seriously brother keep up the excellent work!! There is nobody on UA-cam that is doing this level of work and providing it as clearly or quickly as you. Seriously don't change your style!!!
Spot on !
Agreed, this man is intense in his experiments and continues to show us real world results with his side by side comparisons. I just bought his book....
tabaccopuro what’s the name of the book pls?!
You saw everybody on UA-cam to come to this conclusion?
Nice
Hahahha watch just one of Tech Ingredients videos. In fact he did this exact project. And much much better.
As a new subby, I like your casual, engaging chatty style of presentation. Unscripted and authentic enthusiasm really comes across well in the vids, Keep'em coming and I'll watch'em. Interesting PV/RV stuff.
FACT: using a white paint has more reflectivity then foil , foil also gives hot spots where as white is even reflection. I learned this from growing indoors
Cough cough...
@@vladtheinhaler93 XD
I read a blue/white looks whiter than a white, is this an optical illusion or could a blue/white give a higher reflection?
This sounds incorrect. If it were true we'd have mirrors made from white paint and not metallic foil. Also, nearly all indoor growing tents/systems use mylar instead of white plastic because of its superior reflectivity. Did you test the reflectivity of white paint vs. foil, or did you make an assumption based on poor logic?
@@K-Fed
We're talking refraction.
You're talking reflection
Awesome tests! I'd love to see a test of how the reflectors work in an overcast or shaded scenario (e.g. if the reflectors significantly help on overcast days and don't overheat the panels).
I've not seen anyone do this. It will be a very interesting thing to see.
I settled for poly panels cause i found them cheap local. I am much happier about my purchase now! Thanks for these solar panel tests Will!
I am a complete amateur when it comes to solar panels, so I thoroughly enjoyed your test and information that you gave. Thank you very much.
I find your videos to be so completely enjoyable. Although you seem to be a math genius you don’t make me feel like a total dummy because you have such a lovely way of presenting all the results. I am new to all this solar lingo, but you are helping me become well educated. Thank you! I love your insanely enjoyable enthusiasm!
So glad you covered this, I've thought about trying this a few times to do more with the panels you have. Full disclosure I haven't even watched it yet, but I know it's gonna be good.
Thanks man you're doing the kind of things that just absolutely needs to be done and you're doing a great keep it up
So simple but such a great idea Adding reflectors instead of trying to tilt the panels
Appreciate your work
Thank you for heads up on the Richpanels I just purchased 4 for my skoolie build
Now for the rest of the components as time and funds allow.
Great analysis Will. Thanks for going through the effort. Incidentally ... I ordered your book.
I’m really impressed with the poly out performing mono ! Even in shade ! Like your videos on this Will
Well I’d say on surface area the black mono wins pretty easily..
i will see that too also the shade calculation
not realy seeing its 1/3 bigger. mono are more expensive but in general will outperform poly same surface area over a longer time.
@@someonespotatohmm9513 None of that matters unless you're space limited.
@@redleader7988 When it comes to powering a house or building a solar farm, space is always the restricting factor.
Recieved my Renogy solar flashlight from give away!! Love it!!! Thank you so much!
Good going on this video Will. Lots of busy work getting good/clean data to provide us with some real world results! Thanks for all the effort! Weav
Thanks you confirmed my suspicions and save me a lot of hassle
charlie farley Yes, the complexity and cost of reflectors and cooling far exceeds the gains to be had.
It makes one wonder on a massive scale, like a solar farm or something, using that heat for a passive purpose to move water, a turbine or something.. an increase would be massive on scale. I like the way you make me think about this stuff. ;)
Here is a large efficient thermal solar installation in Morocco
www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/05/morocco-is-building-a-solar-farm-as-big-as-paris-in-the-sahara-desert/
Really interesting, thanks
I have JA 290 panels installed 2.5 years ago, 3 aspects, 5.22 kW , Tesla powerwall 2 , a sanden heat pump hotwater system, an Hyundai ev.
My powerwall was installed August 2017, and never paid for electricity since then.
you always do such a thorough job on these solar tests. Im very impressed and wouldnt know about the Rich Solar Panels without your video information!
Well it's commonly said that if you are on cold places you will have more output with monocrystalline panels with the same amount of light. But on warmer places you should go for polycrystalline cause it reflects more light and cool well better, as a result get way more efficient on heat circumstances.
On average where you are higher than 25°C half of the year you must go polycrystalline.
Where you have snow and often negative temperatures you should use monocrystalline.
But as said, experiment to test this is always good. Thumbs up !
I'm thinking the reflectors would probably make the panels more usable with less sunlight. I would like to see prolonged tests on partly-sunny days.
Exactly! How do the reflectors work on a high Cirrus (light clouds) or Altostratus (heavy cloud) day. That would be a GREAT helpful test!
I live at 55 north, so low temps and low solar-intensity, seems like the ideal scenario for using reflectors..
but reflectors can make shadings also..
I'm thinking engineers that design solar panels would add the $10 worth of aluminum foil if it could turn a 100 watt panel into a 120 or whatever.
Exactly, no point in using reflectors on a sunny day when the panels are fairly well positioned towards the sun. It is in less ideal situations where mirrors can be benificiall. Of course, if you are gonna use 4 mirrors each the size of a panel......then you problably have spend the money that you had better spend on an extra panel.
I have a full size panel on my balcony, mounted vertical due to how the situation is. In front of 40 cm of mirrors. Test show me that a 5 euro mirror (20*120cm) immediately gives me 6-10 watt extra at 10:00 am, pushing the panel at that moment from like 80 to 86/90 watt....... I think that is a good deal.
Will, thanks for making these videos. They have been very helpful as I try to prepare to eventually set up my own van for travel.
I really enjoyed this video because as one of my jobs I have worked out of a remote backcountry station here in CA for the National Park Service. The backcountry station was set up with some gel batteries, a charge controller, inverter, and 2-100w solar panels. I loved tinkering with the system to see how I could get the most out of it. One of my experiments that helped us get more power for our work computers, personal devices, lighting, etc. was cooling the panels. I did this by connecting a hose to a jerry-rigged water sprayer made of a scrap piece of black hose with holes punched through it, to spray water onto the panels. It increased efficiency, but don't know exactly by how much since I didn't have all the equipment to measure.
Though not advisable with the recurring CA droughts but for the sake of science, have you ever considered re-doing the experiment in this video but using water cooling?
Will, you're a flipping genius. Your presentations are top drawer.
Great video, Will! I was curious about this very thing, so you've saved me a lot of time testing. In my mind, the benefit of reflectors can help low/lower light conditions, such as early in the morning or later in the day, when the solar panel angle is less optimal and it can direct additional light onto the panel. But maybe as you say, it's just better to buy another solar panel and angle it for those circumstances. Keep up the good work!
Well, apparently this video is why the Rich Solar panels are (currently) sold out. Really interesting and informative video Will. Thanks!
Right on, I'm going to get some poly. Impressive. Renegy is not as good as rich solar. Every test I've seen anyway, and cost more.🤔
Great demonstration, Will . Every video you do brings Me closer to the perfect set up for Me . 👍. Thanks for your time.
I never would’ve thought of this lol. You’re such a genius!
You are the only solar PV proponent on UA-cam. I always give you thumbs up before watching your entire Solar power videos
Thank you!!!
Funny. I came to the same conclusion a few years ago while playing around with reflective insulation panels and PVC...just add another solar panel. BTW: Pretty awesome results with that poly panel.
Adding another pannel is the good conclusion but the area of RV roofs is limited. Therefore, it can be useful to make a solar tracking system. In addition, tilting the panels allows natural ventilation. This prevents the panels from overheating
You answered one of my questions again!..Good Job!!
Glad to hear you sounding happier. I enjoyed your book and have recommended it to friends. This was a great test, good to remember. I thought, well okay so long term might be bad thing but if you situationally need just a little more juice you can get a smidge more this way.
Great vid! We use some 350W commercial grade mono panels that I’ve seen hit up to 410W (without reflectors) because our climate is so optimal. I bet their output would be insane with reflectors...I’ll have to try it sometime. I wonder how higher irradiance affects the degradation rate...
Oh well, use the reflectors in winter.
Moved my system from a hot roof to a cool side yard rack system this year with plenty of air flow. I also spaced the panels to have airflow on all 4 sides. My old polycrystalline panels still producing well since 2005!
Ok but is it better or worse than the previous positioning?
Keep up these videos where you work through comparisons, they are super useful.
Always wondered about reflection and no one else answered it!
I also similarly wondered about that too.
Maybe in cold climates
I had a go but only in the afternoon. Otherwise it gets too hot.
@@Miata822 I can't find that comment. Seems to be gone.
@@asdsdjfasdjxajiosdqw8791 That comment and the comment I was replying to are both gone it seems. I posted a year ago so I don't recall the context. I am removing my post since it makes no sense now.
another great vid, I am learning a lot here
I am learning more, jus sayin
thanks for the test and for keeping the video relatively short and to the point!
Excellent job Will! You really do very interesting and real life application tests. Great work :D
Run copper water coiling behind the panel, use it to heat your water :)
Pex fractionally cheaper last 10 times longer and it’s what they actually use radiant heating.
I have some old panels that somebody did this experiment with for a few years apparently. The end results of a long-term test reflectors burn and ruin panels.
Bob Holland ohh... who would have guessed! (Irony) Ofc it does, these panels heat dissipation is designed to work at the natural 1000 - 1300 Wm^-2.
It’s nice to see people fiddle around with Photovoltaik ... but from what I see in those kind of videos and comments is that people just barely have even the basic understanding of what they’re dealing with to a degree that it is comparable to children playing in a sand box eating dirt. All those experiments weren’t a waste of time and resources if people would learn a little theory beforehand.
Again, another excellent service done for your followers!
Thanks I was going to try it this summer on my backyard roller set moveable solar panel with a small reflector.
I've got.some old panels that were used for this experiment it cooks the panels literally burn the cells over the period of a few years
Love the experiment! Now someone make a square portable panel that has reflective fins on each side that can fold inwards for storage but can be unfolded to produce the maximum amount of power as possible. Bonus if you can somehow make the reflective fins act as a heat sink to dissipate heat. This is of course assuming the fins are lighter and cheaper then just buying another panel.
A lot of hassle to use such panel, methinks. Maybe it would be good for someone who can have only one panel, because of shading and spacing required. It is easier to use two panels. Overheated panel will have shorter lifetime and will be less reliable. Panels have annual degradation, so it will only accelerate due to high temp.
I do like your idea. I am working on affordable portable solar systems for low-income countries. For transportation, we might need to add somekind of protection plate that could be used as a mirrow when in use. But I don't like the increased temperature of the panel. Do you think instead of an excelent mirrow that reflects all visible light, we could use a simple blue painted surface and avoid longer wave lengths (heat) to be refelected as much as possible? There seems to be more energy in shorter wave lengths anyway.
Thanks for running this test!
Excellent comparison video, Will!
"Just buy another solar panel"
- best advice on the internet!
Adding another pannel is the good conclusion but the area of RV roofs is limited. Therefore, it can be useful to make a solar tracking system. In addition, tilting the panels allows natural ventilation. This prevents the panels from overheating
Rv roof space is indeed limited, but are you really trying to get a charge from the sun while driving? So perhaps a different approach is needed on the available roof space, perhaps 3 stacked levels that fold out either side of the roof, giving you essentially 3 times the roof space. Also makes a great awning for relaxing under with a cool drink on a comfy chair.
Any roof mounted system does need to take into account wind forces while driving though, 2 axis solar tracking would be difficult to make it strong and secure under 100kph (60mph) driving winds. it would try to rip it off its pivots
@@buttsexxor
_get a charge from the sun while driving?_ ^ ^ It would be a strange idea. People who use RVs are more often parked than driving. In addition, there would be a huge aerodynamic drag. Mechanical constraints and vehicule stability obligations would be impossible to resolve.
I am not sure that everything I say is understandable because I do not master English language. You would do me a favor by correcting my mistakes because I would like to spread this project idea so that someone carries it out.
I also came to the same conclusion as you: making a tilting awning with solar panels.
A foldable aluminium framework, with drawers would have to be placed on the roof on several stacked levels. They would fold out on only *one* side of the roof, not on the both sides because the rear part would either be too high if tilted up, either it would be placed on the opposite of the sunbeams if tilted down.
The total area would be much higher than the roof area. The panels that could not be placed inside the drawers of the folded framework would have to be placed inside the vehicule.
The top of the framework would rest on a ball joint placed at the end of a telescopic mast which itself would be placed on one side of the RV. On the lower part, this framework would rest on bicycle wheels. This would make it easier to rotate the assembly manualy.The mast should be tilted and placed high enough to offset it from the vehicle to allow the framework to rotate over a as wide as possible angle without stopping too early on the vehicle.
On the roof of the RV : Automated sun tracking system (easier to automate than the big frame because lighter). This system would produce electricity while driving.
Why so many pannels?
The next generation of RVs will be plug-in hybrid vehicles (I guess 2021 or 2022 in north America on Ford Transit since they already exist in Europe). It would be wise to partialy recharge these RV like this with the sun, in order to less use charging stations and the alternator of the vehicle. We would need the maximum possible solar panels but we would be limited by the carrying capacity due to the volume, hence the interest of a traking system to limit the quantity of panels.
It would be interesting to increase the quantity of batteries with something like the Tesla Powerwall (13.5 kWh) to increase the range of the vehicule when using electricity and reduce the use of the combustion engine accordingly.
@@french-9743 regarding my comment about getting a charge during driving, your right, nobody is trying to charge while driving, that is also what i meant, but moreso in the direction that any roof mounted solar panel that folds or moves, doesnt necesarrily need to be pointing at the sky when its stowed away during driving, but even a system that folds out still needs to resist the forces exerted on its joints while driving even while stowed (depending on its design of course)
Your panel idea is good but i think you can reduce complexity with sun tracking by simply parking the van in a different direction. Sure, many parks may not allow you to do that but the small amount of extra charge you would generate with a sun tracking system may not be worth the complexity and cost of a system.
your idea with the drawers is definitely possible. My idea is using two parralel arms on the edge of the panel so it folds out flat and even. Varying the position of either of those arms relative to each other will allow the 'tilt'to angle your panel towards the sun.
Its difficult to describe in words but if i showed you the working design you'd understand it instantly
Looks like I’ll be going with the Rich Solar 100w poly. Thanks
Just so you know that I find your videos quite instructive and I have watch you evolve over the years.... Greeting from the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria. Keep breaking it down!
Thanks for a great test! Going to look into those polys. For cooling, you really need to use standoffs to get them off the wood - Full air on the back will cool them far better than with the wood obstructing air flow. Monocrystalline is a tiny bit more efficient, which results in smaller panels for the same rating (more watts per sq. ft.) but also costs more. Monocrystalline only makes sense if you're short on space and willing to pay to make the most of it.
Use under the panals water flow in pipes to heat up the water and cool panel
My experience with plastics says it's fine unless overheated . Like anything else exposure to radiation degradation with length time of and temperatures being your catalyst . Cooling the sub straight with misters and air is not for getting more output , it's too save the panel from total failure . Thanks
Thanks for the videos, I've learned a great deal from you. I really like the way you are able to explain things.
Awesome idea for a video man, love that the % changes were similar. Great test! Makes me want to add a few Rich Solar polys to my set up lol
-Thomas
Have you thought of using IR reflective film to reflect some of the heat and see how that changes solar production?
That polycrystalline panel still producing more than 100 watts even after the drop from heat is a great testimonial! You really do seem to have found your niche on YT, Will. Your videos on this stuff are fun and helpful and your enthusiasm for science is delightful.
Thank you :)
Another excellent report Mr Prowse.
Does work. Tandy (radio shack) netherlands had a handsized solarpanel, with 2 reflectors. I used them during holidays in the european alps, in the 80s. I used it with a small short wave radio. I still have both of them.
Thanks Will, I always wondered what a reflector would do to output.
Awesome video. Never imagined gains could be so high. May even see slightly more with a flat-white reflective surface, not sure... Attitudes toward poly panels should change once these results get out.
Right?! I was blown away by the results too. So just now I ordered every polycrystalline on Amazon to see which one is best!! Next week's video should be interesting.
@@WillProwse The poly's may actually outperform mono's in shaded situations. This is important when you have to deal with trees. I believe altE may have addressed that at some point.
7:46 This guy looks like he loves his job.
When i first started researching solar generators i was thinking using mirrors to divert lost light back towards the collector to increase energy absorption might work..its excellent to see this phenomenon actually demonstrated. I will likely use this trick to increase output if presented with the opportunity.
I have two 100 watt and one 40 watt panel in my small system. I sometimes pour a bit of water on them to cool them to see the amperage increase, just for fun as i'm always messing around with my system. I enjoy your videos a lot. Greetings from sunny Jamaica.
I just bought two 280watt latest REC Twinpeaks polycrystalline - what seems new is that the cells are mounted on a transparent laminate with a mirrored back - the theory is that any light that gets through the surface gets reflected back on to the cells - they claim 18% - another nice feature is each panel is split into 6 zones so any bird poop doesn't bring the whole panel down
I bought 4 of the 285 REC twinpeaks Polycystalline no clear. Not all that impressed with them.
@@bigblockcutlass123 Interesting - have you got the 2018 black looking half cell ones?
@@trevortrevortsr2 no
Would be interesting to have the solar panel in the shadow and then directing the sunlight towards the panel using a mirror (or alu sheet).
So it would be in the sun?
But the reflected beam runs over fast on the panel.
@@alternativgazdasag3344 So even more worthless that placing it in direct sunlight. Got it
Absolutely beautifully done. Thanks young man.
Excellent experimental video.
You've done the tests I've always wanted to do and confirmed my premise of ....
"Just add an additional solar panel.""
Thank You
- Paul
Interesting start. Some folks are getting higher gains -- but use different conditions and methods. A few questions?
1. What were your outside temps?
2. What time of year, and lattitude (about)? and
3. Have you tried White reflectors instead of "mirror" type reflectors? White increases the light without so much reflected Infra-Red (heat).
Thanks!
White reflecting panels makes a lot of sense.
Agree on the white reflectors. Recently I got a free white parachute that I plan to cut up and rig up as a reflector for my bus roof panels.
Good remark, about using white reflectors. I am very interested in any results even or especially if the results show that it does not work. I personalyy was thinking about blue refelectors (shorter wave lengthrs, further away from heath and seen to carry more power).
I'd be interested to see this on an overcast / cloudy day when there is no visible blue sky.
This is exactly what I thought
Exactly
Great video I've always wondered why they don't have fan under the solar panel to keep it cool
Hey Will! I have just found your channel and I love your videos! So much great info. You produce such awesome content that is really explained well. I just bought your solar book. Can't wait to get started. Thanks
Thank you :D
try testing it in bad weather, so you arent anywhere near the max production.. maybe the reflectors will have a big impact then?
I'm always interested in improving cloudy day performance.
well instead of putting down some reflectors... just install addidional pannels 😅
When it's cloudy you have no direct sunlight to reflect.
Then you will se mono panels will perform better than poly panels. Mono panels are more like a "good in all weather" type of panel. Poly will not perform in cloudy weather conditions.
It would have been interesting to have the same experience with a mirror.
Mirrors may make a more detailed reflection, but they are significantly less reflective than bare aluminum the glass is thick and absorbs lights.
Interesting test that basically disproves that mono is better. I'll be picking up a few Rich Solar Polys. Thanks Will!
Looks like what you would use on a cloudy day
Can you do a video on the Temp Comp. Coefficiency setting adjustment on mppt charge controllers?
That is for the battery coeffiviency not solar panels
i wonder why the don't make FV panels which can be cooled from back by water so it would not only produce electricity but also warm water.
That's kinda the principle of solar water heaters. I guess hiding water pipes behind a solar panel wouldn't produce sufficient warming compared to water tubes exposed to direct sunlight.
There's a system with an actual water loop going through narrowly looped black pipes in panels similar to solar panels. A more performant system however uses a different sort of liquid (I think something like antifreeze) which heats a boiler in which the tap water is heated.
This exists. search for hybrid solar panels. They get a considarably higher efficiency compared to traditional solar panels
When I was a solar installer, I went to a big renewable energy convention and there was a company there that did exactly that. They put tubing on the backs of PV panels. That was quite a few years ago so I don't know if anything came of it. My guess is that it did make okay hot water but the extra cost and complexity didn't make it worth doing.
You do need to take into account that the cooling system needs a pump and some sort of AC, which will also draw power.
I'm pretty sure you won't recover the loss from what you win by having cooler panels. PV already isn't very efficient in converting solar energy into DC into AC, ignoring the pumps and cooling system you'd add to the loop
I have seen pictures of solar farms in China where the panels are mounted or floating in a lake. They get both the benefits of the water reflection and cooling effects of the water.
Thanks Will. Good Job!
Thanks Will, you are really helpful, thank you for the information you gave, gives me new ideas
Hi, can you do this test in cloudy weather? I would like to see the difference between mono and poly in the real world.
A totally justifiable advertisement for Rich Solar panels. Totally love your experimental approach. And your shirtless appearance in the sunshine.
Shit got weird fast in this comment.
Finally a comment on his hot bod :-)
Watching this was a blast.
I can see the benefit from your from your design in a portable solution! A clever adjustable stand will make it complete!
I wonder whether you could get a better result if you covered the reflector with an infra-red blocking material, so no heat is reflected onto the panel, with the reflector itself absorbing all the heat where it doesn't matter. I also imagine if you use a cheap mirror rather than foil you will reflect a lot more light and get more output. But I have wondered about this for a long time so very interesting to see it tested!
The mirror indeed reflected the most light, and therefore the most energy, but on cloudy days when there was no light, the foil reflected the most light energy. That was a good point about infra-red blocking material
so I looked up for "infrared blocking material" and there is this borosllicate optic clear glass coated with Inidium tin oxide ITO (great heat conductor) with coatings greater than 40Ω/ per square meter. So if you put an aluminium foil reflector underneath the glass you would reflect lesser infrared thus lower heat reflected back to the bottom surface of bifacial solar panel.
Makes me wonder if it’s a marketing plan that the solar companies use to make you buy the more expensive mono
Cloudy day, still need that.
This would be practical for winter solar collection
Can you make a reflector that only reflects usable frequencies, or at least doesn't reflect infrared? That would allow the panel to not heat up as much...
Well its possible with uv light, photogear has those filters and they are pretty much clear glass.
Could you try a red mylar reflector? The solar panels may be wavelength dependent.
Great point/question, could avoid therm issue maybe
Excellent Will!
Love your geeky curiosity! 💜
If you have the space for reflectors you have space for more panels. Interesting test though.
A reflector is cheaper than a panel if it boosts the output of each panel
@@jamesread11 it's not cheaper if your reducing the life of your panel. Especially for such a small gain
Only lifing the panel components an extremely hot days, probably a few weeks of summer, the rest is just getting more from each panel
any information on amorphous panels like Harbor Freight setup?
@Patriotic Realist I have heard this and I've heard the opposite but I've never seen any real world tests like what Will is doing.
@@kevinroberts781 I don't know. 81 watts is pretty dang good.
@@kevinroberts781 I bought a 100 watt set over the winter and haven't hooked them up yet. I want to use them for a DIY Camper I'm building.
I like that they can be connected to each over with a stand. Would use them to charge a 200 AH battery bank on camping trips.
Great video! Again, the Rich Solar Panels are proving their value and I think I'll get some soon. I'm amazed at how you continue to find new and interesting topics that fascinate us. I remember that years ago, commercial experimental solar farms did use reflectors. More than likely, they ended those experiments because focusing the sun means focusing heat.
And as we know, those solar cigarrette lighters also focus the sun to start fires. Imagine the panels, wires and frames taking on that additional heat? Haha... Forget that approach.
Have you ever considered making videos, with the same "intensity of investigation" covering Lithium battery pack construction and testing?
It would be great to have someone like you testing the different brands of 18650's that are out there...... just saying....
Good test Will, a cool addition for these sort of tests if you don't already have one, is one of those guns that can read temperature. It would be interesting to see just how hot the surface of these panels get.
I wonder what would happen if you water cooled the back of the panel?
fourbypete efficiency increase doesn’t outweigh additional material and manufacturing cost. There are existing panels on the marked that incorporate thermal waterheating with photovoltaics. You just don’t hear about them because they are practically a bad idea in most cases. Pv modules are designed to gather as much light without raising the temp too much and still being cost efficient. Solar thermal collectors systems require to withstand much higher temperatures to work effectively. Temperatures that would quickly degrade semiconductor junctions of pv panels. So you see you’ll always have to make a tradeoff on either system which in conclusions makes you favour either one of the systems standalone.
What about water cooling? Would love to see this setup
That's what I thought too: use cool tap water piping/hoses to cool them and feed the end into a water boiler for pre-heated water.
9:55
Sehr interessanter Test. Habe auch schon überlegt mit Spiegeln zu arbeiten aber ich wollte die Module mit Wasser kühlen. Sprühnebel reicht schon