Solar Panel that you can see through?

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    Solar Solar panel
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility of creating a solar panel that is transparent, allowing visible light to pass through while still capturing energy from non-visible wavelengths. The scope includes theoretical considerations and practical applications of transparent solar technology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the possibility of transparent solar panels that allow light to pass through while generating electricity.
  • Another participant asserts that transparent solar cells do exist and references a specific example of such technology.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that to achieve transparency, the solar panel must absorb light primarily outside the visible spectrum, which could lead to inefficiencies in energy capture.
  • One participant notes that inefficiency might be acceptable if the goal is to create tinted windows.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the efficiency of transparent solar panels and their practical applications, indicating that multiple competing views remain regarding their feasibility and effectiveness.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved considerations regarding the balance between transparency and energy efficiency, as well as the specific wavelengths that can be effectively captured without affecting visible light perception.

davel
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can you tell me if it is possible to make a solar panel that will let some light through and still capture the wavelength that makes electricity? or better yet see through.
 
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you need to get the energy by absorbing light at wavelengths that are mostly not within the visible spectrum, and let the photons in the visible spectrum pass through, mostly unimpeded and without applying weird filtering that makes the colors look off.

Of course, that will make it inefficient, as the eye evolved in order to see best with the sunlight, so you're letting most of the energy pass through.
 
I this case "inefficient" is good if you're wanting a dark/tinted window anyway.
 

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