Solar panel power up!

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Really interesting article on solar panels! It looks like, in a few years, they’ll get a significant boost in efficiency thanks to a clever technique that converts previously unusable wavelengths into usable ones.

From what I gathered, this new layer that enhances performance might even be adaptable to existing panels—which could make upgrades surprisingly straightforward.

It’s still early days, but definitely worth keeping an eye on. Watch this space!

Solar Panels From CPT Break Efficiency Barrier - CleanTechnica

Cambridge Photon Technology says it is working on new technology that could boost the efficiency of solar panels to around 35%.
cleantechnica.com cleantechnica.com
 
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Solar panels in the UK...that should be interesting!
 
Should be interesting to see if the technology is feasible and reasonable cheap. And of course is it durable enough to keep working year after year in the elements.
 
Here in central California, we are getting way too much sunshine. Especaily this time of year when we should be getting more rain. We are getting a fair amount of morning fog though.
 
kevlray said:
Here in central California, we are getting way too much sunshine. Especaily this time of year when we should be getting more rain. We are getting a fair amount of morning fog though.
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That's a plus for those living there.
 
I've read that too much sun overheats solar panels, overcast or cloudy days are better because the light bans solar needs are still getting through.

The industry needs to figure out how to deal with the millions of new batteries it's producing and their impact on the environment specifically the lead. Otherwise, we are just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
 
AccessBlaster said:
I've read that too much sun overheats solar panels
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There is a phenonemon called temperature degredation. Output drops by about 0.2% per degree Fahrenheit -that's the panel temperature, not ambient temperature.
AccessBlaster said:
overcast or cloudy days are better
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Output is dependent on the amount of light, not necessarily sunlight. I get more output in full sunlight.
 
You are all over the place there Tony, but at least you have options!

7 years...I reckon that isn't too bad. My step dad in South Carolina has had them for over a decade and to hear him tell it, the power company is paying HIM...

He had been know to embellish a little so I wanted a 2nd opinion. I'll might look into it one day when all my other schemes have run their course.
 
I converted my VW TDI to run on Waste Veggie Oil (WVO). I calculated that it would take 2 years for a ROI. There were intangibles that I was unaware of and other things I did not take into account. 4 years later and the injector pump gave out and I had barely broke even...

Granted, there are a lot more moving parts in a car than a house, but I guess the point I'm making is nothing ever goes as planned - not for me anyway!

Still intrigued...definitely keep us informed on how you get on!
 
NauticalGent said:
From that, I take it you use solar panels...is it worth it? How long before you see a ROI?
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I got a small inheritance from a not so close relative and decided to go solar - panels and battery. Return from panels ~ 7 years but battery was more marginal. I bought a Tesla Model 3 last year and so far have not paid out of pocket for any fuel/energy for it having travelled over 5000 miles so far. Well, there is the foregone feed in tariff on the power used in the car which is about 1/3 of my usual cost of electricity so there is some cost.

WARNING don't rent a Tesla for the weekend as I did, otherwise you run the risk of getting hooked on the car.
 
Solar Panel degradation - means they will lose a % of efficiency over their life - which is 25-30 years.
I investigated this in earnest last year.

On the then-current electricity prices then it was about 7-8 years for the SP's for ROI, based on our daytime electricity use, which is quite high.
Batteries are a bit of a moot point as their cost is still coming down rapidly while the capacity is going up, so buy a system that can accommodate a battery but wait a while before buying it.

Based on the potential new electricity costs, I reckon the ROI could come down to 5-6 years for us, on a 14Kw system.
We have four adults in the house with two working from home most of the time. You can also get a diverter system to use the solar to heat your water during the day, saving on expensive gas water heating. This is because the feed-in tariff from the Elec Co's is less than the cost of the used electricity so use it yourself or store it.

I'll need to get my spreadsheet out again...
 
Cronk said:
WARNING don't rent a Tesla for the weekend as I did, otherwise you run the risk of getting hooked on the car.
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I was like that when I rode a hundred metres on an electric bike. I knew I had to get off it or I would have to have one.
 
Cronk said:
WARNING don't rent a Tesla for the weekend as I did, otherwise you run the risk of getting hooked on the car.
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Too late, I'm already hooked and I have never even touched one...yet. I was waiting a few years to see how the consumers felt after they have had them for a few years. This guy's YouTube channel has some great info. My wife's VW Beetle will be paid off is 2023, if my research still has the T3 as a good investment, I'll be taking the plunge...
 
NauticalGent said:
the power company is paying HIM...
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Depends a lot on the feed-in tariff you get. With a more recent panel installation, my feed-in is about 25% of peak charge and I get a refund in summer months ie solar generation covers more than any power used plus fixed daily charges. Not so in winter with lower generation and higher usage.
NauticalGent said:
I'll be taking the plunge...
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I would wager you will have one regret after getting an EV - that you did not do it sooner. There's other savings on top of gas. Scheduled maintenance is every 24 months. No plugs, oil, filters (except air) to be replaced and I expect brake pads to last the life of the car given regenerative braking - only when hard deceleration is required do brakes need to be applied.

Uncle asked about time to charge. Depends mainly on power rating of charger. Ordinary 240v GPO (2.4 kW) gives about 10 miles of charge per hour. With a special home charger (costing ~$700-$1000 plus electrician to install) and 3 phase, that can be increased to up to 22kW or almost 100 miles per hour. Super chargers supplying 480v DC can charge up to 200 miles in 15 minutes. However the charging rate is not linear as the distance charges slows down as the battery approaches full charge. Conventional wisdom is to aim for about 80% full charge.

We visit the wife's parents 450 miles away a few times a year. I have done the trip with only one charging stop but prefer now to make 2 stops of 15-20 minutes each which are lined up with meal/bathroom/stretch leg breaks.
 
What is the kw charge when you stop twice for 15-20 minutes? And is it four times round trip?
 
I paid just under $16 for the 2 stops for Tesla recharging. There are other providers with different charges, some with loyalty schemes. There's even a motoring group providing a number of free chargers (at least for the time being) across the state to promote EVs. However there is usually only one charging point cf Tesla charging stations with at least 6.

Other factors affecting cost are climate (heating/cooling is extra power consumption) and also how "hard" the car is driven similar to an internal combustion (ICE) vehicle. With two motors generating up to 580 horsepower total it can go 0 - 60 mph in just over 4 seconds but this sucks the battery charge.
 
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