Can We Stack Solar Panels to Increase Solar Energy Absorption?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of stacking solar panels to enhance solar energy absorption, including the use of lenses and the concept of transparent solar cells. It explores theoretical configurations and practical implications of such designs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a design involving stacking solar panels with a concave lens to converge sunlight and a convex lens to diverge it onto lower panels, questioning its feasibility.
  • Another participant expresses confusion about the purpose of transparent solar cells, suggesting that if they absorb radiation, there would be nothing left to pass through.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that while allowing sunlight to pass through a gap to a second layer of solar panels is possible, it may not be as effective as simply using more panels in the first layer.
  • One participant argues that using lenses to spread sunlight over all panels would increase energy absorption, while another counters that spreading light reduces its intensity, regardless of coverage.
  • A suggestion is made for a layered approach where different wavelengths are absorbed by different layers, and the idea of using mirrors to reflect light back to the panels is also introduced.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the solar panels receive adequate sunlight regardless of the configuration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of stacking solar panels and the use of lenses, with no consensus reached on the proposed designs or the utility of transparent solar cells.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the behavior of light and energy absorption that are not fully explored or resolved, particularly regarding the effectiveness of lens configurations and the implications of using transparent solar cells.

chound
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Is it possible to have solar panels one over the other with little space between them to get 10 panel stacked structures to increase the amount of solar energy absorbed?


There are four solar panels. Another 4 on top of them leaving some space between this four and the bottom four. In the junction where the 4 panels join if we have a concave lens of very small focal length. This will make the sun rays to converge at f. Now we take a convex lens and fix it in such a way that the its focus will lie on the focus of the concave lens. The convex lens will make the lightrays diverge and this can be made to fall on the 4 solarpanels below.

Is this possible?

Next:
Can we make transparent solar cells?
 
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I got a bit lost on the first bit of your question...

However, why would you want transparent solar cells? If the solar cells absorb the incident radiation, there is nothing left to 'go through' them.
 
chound said:
Is it possible to have solar panels one over the other with little space between them to get 10 panel stacked structures to increase the amount of solar energy absorbed?


There are four solar panels. Another 4 on top of them leaving some space between this four and the bottom four. In the junction where the 4 panels join if we have a concave lens of very small focal length. This will make the sun rays to converge at f. Now we take a convex lens and fix it in such a way that the its focus will lie on the focus of the concave lens. The convex lens will make the lightrays diverge and this can be made to fall on the 4 solarpanels below.

Is this possible?

Next:
Can we make transparent solar cells?

Possible, yes. Useful, not.

If you leave the gap between one layer of solar panels, and use this get to allow sunlight pass-through to a second layer of solar panels, the amount of energy collected by the second layer of solar panels will be about as much (though not quite as much) as would have been trapped if you had simply closed the gap in the first layer with more solar panels.
 
But we are using lenses to spread sun light over all the panels so won't it increase the energy absorbed?
 
It's the same amount of light no matter how it's spread out. Grab a flashlight and see. As you spread the light out, you'll notice it's not appearing as bright as when it's more focused, though it does cover more surface area.
 
A more interesting arrangement might be one in which some wavelengths are absorbed in one layer (generating electricity), which is transparent to other wavelengths, which are then absorbed in another layer (different mechanism). IIRC, one type of solar cell works somewhat like this.

Also, why not put a mirror on the bottom of the cell? That way any 'absorbable' light which wasn't has another chance to be absorbed ... on the way up.
 
Try every thing with the solar panels just keep in mind, its face must recive proper sun light properly.
 

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