Efficiency Of Solar Panels In Space

Efficiency in solar panels is simply the measurement of energy output in a given surface area.

Efficiency of solar panels in space.

Answered april 14 2014 author has 327 answers and 704 8k answer views. Building solar panels in space might be as easy as clicking print nasa. These panels convert solar power into either a microwave or a laser and beam uninterrupted power down to earth. Taken together they are the largest representation of solar in space occupying enough area to cover most of a football field.

Space based solar power sbsp is the concept of collecting solar power in outer space and distributing it to earth potential advantages of collecting solar energy in space include a higher collection rate and a longer collection period due to the lack of a diffusing atmosphere and the possibility of placing a solar collector in an orbiting location where there is no night. On earth power receiving stations collect the beam and add it to the electric grid. The highest efficiency solar panels on the market today can reach almost 23 percent efficiency. In practical terms for two solar panels of the same physical size if one has a 21 efficiency rating and the other has a 14 efficiency rating the 21 efficient panel will produce 50 more kilowatt hours kwh of electricity under the same conditions as the 14 efficient panel.

Reflectors or inflatable mirrors spread over a vast swath of space directing solar radiation onto solar panels. However choosing a more efficient solar panel may not always be the most cost effective decision available. A high efficiency panel turns more sunlight into electricity than a lower efficiency panel which means a solar homeowner can get more out of their limited rooftop space. Solar panel efficiency is determined by the production of electricity by solar cells which are in turn influenced by composition electrical configuration surrounding components and more.

So if efficiency is a good thing that must mean that you should shop for the highest efficiency panels you can get right. The average efficiency of solar panels falls between the 17 to 19 percent efficiency range. Depending on location installation costs will vary. Solar panel placed on equator receives about 2 4 mwh m and placed in germany about 1 mwh m.

So solar panels in space are at least 5 times more efficient than on the ground. Solar panel in orbit receives about 12 mwh m of energy per year. With borosilicate glass panel coverings this may be between 5 10 efficiency loss per year. The more efficient a panel is the less space it will take up on your roof.

Factors that affect solar panel efficiency solar panels have been consistently increasing in efficiency at about 5 annually since 2010.