Solar energy is a relatively new but well-known form of energy that has grown in recent years. This growth has brought about massive improvements and innovations in the technology. Due to these improvements, individuals can now harness the power of the sun on a different scale.
What that means is that people have access to better power efficiency, increased durability and flexibility, and, overall, more ways to harness sunlight. Speaking of newer methods of harnessing solar energy, one of the different solar panels installation London residents can adopt is the use of glasses.
It sounds a bit odd, but it’s indeed a welcome development and offers the flexibility that individuals hope for in their solar panels. However, questions about efficiency persist, and understanding the correlation between glass and solar panels can help provide answers.
Understanding How Solar Panels Work
Basically, solar panels contain cells that trap rays of the sun and convert solar energy to an electrical form of energy. Those cells also store excess light energy in the panel batteries for future use. Therefore, a solar panel can be seen as a source that comes through when others fail.
But to achieve its purpose, solar panels need to charge fully. It’s the only way individuals can fully enjoy their products. A new method that has been adopted is the use of glass, but then again, how effective is this method?
Solar Panels and Glass: Can They Coexist?
Can solar panels be charged through glass? Yes. Will it be the same as charging the panels directly? I.e. on the roof? No. In essence, the idea is plausible but it leads to reduced effectiveness and output. It’s an idea that comes up when people need to have their panels indoors e.g. small panels that need protection from heavy wind.
As a result, customers have to make do with far less efficiency if they wish to charge through glass. And if you’re wondering why, it simply has to do with the principle of light reflection. You see, as light particles travel, their speed and intensity reduce as they hit surfaces.
In other words, the speed and refraction of light is reduced by every surface it comes in contact with. Part of the light is reflected on the surface, and the rest of it passes through but at a lower intensity. This is exactly what happens when you charge your panels through the glass.
Sure, the light will still get to the panels regardless of the glass in front, but not anywhere close to what they’ll get if there was direct contact.
Improving the Efficiency of Solar Panels Behind Glass
Charging with glass isn’t a bad idea, but it sacrifices a bit of efficiency. So what’s left is to find ways to ensure that efficiency is improved. Methods such as opening the windows to allow more light, using portable panels to allow movement in case of changing sunlight position, and so on are some of the ways solar panels can be made efficient without having to keep them outside.
Bottom Line
Developments in solar energy technology have brought about new ways of harnessing sunlight. It also means new methods of charging and efficiency improvement are on the horizon. Charging through glass still has ways to go, but the signs are promising.