solar panel power loss

[NickS]

I wonder if altitude has a significant impact on the achievable power output. 4000ft above sea level where I live offers significantly thinner air to athletes and I could make a difference to the panel too. I was taught that solar panels in space can achieve power efficiencies 2 to 4 times what we see on the ground due to lack of atmosphere. Conceivably they would be worst efficiency at sea level. So I would look into the datasheet and see if that max power was taken at a certain elevation.

I would be interested to hear thoughts on this aspect.

 

[Resqueline]

I'm not updated on those figures but I'm under the impression that you get up to 1000W/m2 on earth (zero elevation) and 1500W/m2 in space.
I'd expect more from a panel if used at a considerable elevation.
In space you have no clouds etc. (except night/day) to reduce the insolation, maybe that's included in the 200-400% figure.
It doesn't take much to reduce power even further from a bare cell though. A pane of glass in front and you're down around 20%. The cells are bare when used in space.

 

[trobbins]

I think the factor is closer to 1.35-1.4 for space for radiation intensity, and the spectrum changes too - which can be significant for some cell technologies more than others.

Space-grade cells typically use a very thin glass cover-slip over the front of the cell (typically a gallium arsenide type).

Another advantage of altitude is that typically the temperature drops significantly - which when added to probably ~1.1 improvement in intensity at 4000ft may well add up to ball-park 20% nett increase in power harvest.

Ciao, Tim

 

[(*steve*)]

Naturally, there is a lack of convective cooling in space though...

 

[Grapat]

solar power loss

so whaqt is the best type of PV panel to use then? Poly or Mono and is the diff' in price worth , how do their degredation characteristics differ?? Is it worth installing a 1.9 K system in the UK? Graham

 

[trobbins]

Grapat, you'll have to ask specific questions to get specific responses. Your questions, as put, can't be answered with any definition.

 

[Grapat]

surely Mono versus Poly' is a specific question?? and if in the Uk anyone out there has fitted a system was it worth it?? Graham

 

[trobbins]

Maybe if you explain your situation - what you are contemplating - why you are contemplating - whether you've got a quote - what systems you've seen first hand - whether cost is an issue - is it just grid connect - what your load profile is like - ...

 

[Grapat]

I am interested in the practicalities not some vague conceptual contemplation , the idea is to fit PV solar to save energy costs over a long period, yes I have quotes hence my questions as you can't ask suppliers as they have a vested interest in thier responses- graham

 

[trobbins]

So what is your quote for?

What practicalities do you know already?