Features of flexible solar modules and their application
Flexible solar panels (they are also “thin-film”) are becoming more and more in demand in the domestic sector. While in the past they were mainly used in large solar stations or in the aerospace industry, today they are increasingly used in everyday life.
- Flexible panels are embedded in various architectural elements and advertising structures, and are also used as foldable mobile power sources.
- Moreover, thin-film photocells are even sewn onto clothes and equipment. For example, for tourists they produce special models of hiking backpacks equipped with flexible batteries.
- And the latest developments in this area have made it possible to create thin-film models that can also be used for glass tinting.
- That is, with the help of a "solar film" any window can be easily turned into a full-fledged power source.
- Other interesting experiments were also carried out. For example, to create the so-called "photocurtains".
The flexible solar modules sewn onto the fabric not only generate energy, but also reliably protect the room from excess sunlight. This ensures a cool and comfortable microclimate in the room.
What is a "flexible solar panel"
In fact, such a panel is a semiconductor layer deposited on a thin flexible substrate. The thickness of modern finished panels is minimal (no more than 1 micron), and their performance is only slightly inferior to the efficiency of conventional crystalline samples.
Previously, thin-film batteries were made only on the basis of amorphous silicon, but now cadmium tellurides / sulfides, copper-indium and copper-gallium diselenides, as well as some polymeric substances are increasingly used. To improve energy efficiency, multilayer (multi-stage) semiconductor structures are also used, in which light is reflected and converted several times.
As for the distinctive properties of flexible solar modules, the following can be distinguished:
- Flexibility of the structure and the ability to use on curved and cylindrical surfaces;
- Preservation of productivity in cloudy weather, as a result - high overall energy production;
- Particularly effective in hot climates;
- A rather high degree of optical absorption of the solar spectrum, due to which the energy of the sun is “captured” more fully;
- Efficient work in powerful solar complexes. That is why initially such panels were used mainly at large solar stations.
In addition, the production of flexible solar panels is cheaper than their crystalline counterparts. This means that the final price of such products is also somewhat lower.
Thin-film batteries have only one negative feature - a larger (about 2 times) surface area compared to crystalline versions of the same power.
Features of use
Flexible photomodules are used both in everyday life and in the industrial sector. Moreover, their special working properties impose their limitations on the specifics of use.
At home
Most often, solar panels on flexible photocells are used for architectural decoration of buildings and in small architectural forms. Such panels are built into roofs and windows, enclosed in glass triplexes and polymer boxes.
In addition, since flexible photovoltaic cells are very light, they are used in cases where weight plays a critical role. Electric planes, electric boats and electric cars, balloon structures, etc. - in all these cases, thin solar panels are much more preferable and more efficient than crystalline options.
Also, flexible batteries are used in solar stations, that is, in cases where their larger area does not matter.These batteries perform especially well in regions with cloudy weather or hot climates.
In space
Active developments are also underway on the use of thin-film panels in the space industry. So, at the Russian enterprise NPP Kvant, a direction is being developed for the creation of flexible photo panels for space stations
The main attention is paid to three-stage batteries based on amorphous silicon.
Such batteries have much higher (4-5 times) energy-mass characteristics compared to crystalline counterparts (despite a slightly lower efficiency).
In addition, they are much more resistant to radiation, and their cost is much lower. Another very important factor is the small transport (starting) volume of flexible modules and the possibility of manufacturing easily deployable structures on their basis.
Solar battery installation
There are several rules that must be strictly observed.
Do not know where to buy buy radiators for heating? The article will tell you where to do it, read here.
Installation of solar panels
- The place for solar panels should not be shaded.
- Solar panels should be easily accessible for washing and snow removal.
- Batteries are installed in an inclination. The optimal tilt angle in the northern hemisphere is an angle equal to the geographic latitude of the area.
- Batteries are oriented strictly to the south.
- Installation is carried out on the walls of buildings, on roofs, on supports installed on the ground. In this case, it is necessary to provide sufficient distance between the panels so that they do not obscure each other. The aluminum frames of the panels have holes for mounting, and no special equipment is needed to install the panels.
Solar battery is a promising and affordable form of alternative energy. With its help, you can significantly save on electricity and heat, if you take into account the long operating time of the installation.
What else should you pay attention to when installing solar panels
Given the fact that over the past few years, the use of solar panels to generate electricity in a residential building has turned from an unusual phenomenon into a common fact, many people began to think about installing similar structures in their homes.
However, before moving on to the installation of these panels, you need to figure out what you should pay attention to when choosing one or another type.
First of all, you need to think about the maintenance of the structure, because this system can require much more maintenance than traditional methods of generating electricity. Of course, solar panels are easier to operate. This is due to the fact that they do not have any moving parts that can unexpectedly fail at any, as a rule, the most inopportune moment. Therefore, in order for the panels to perform all their functions at the proper level, it is necessary to clean them in a timely manner from snow, dust or dirt, which may reduce the amount of absorbed light. In order to qualitatively clean such batteries, simply use a hose with cool water. It is necessary to do such manipulations as often as possible (about 4 times a year).
In order to get the amount of energy that is needed specifically for your home, it is important to take into account two factors such as insolation and the amount of electricity needed for one day. By the term "insolation" we mean a measure that shows exactly how much sunlight will be on the territory of a particular area in a specific period of time.
This is a constant value for each individual area, which should definitely be paid attention to those who are planning to purchase solar power systems. The higher this value, the more electricity per day you can get.
If the insolation in your area is low enough, you will need to either reduce energy costs or install an additional panel.
It may be useful: Which heating system to choose for a cottage?
How to find out exactly how much electricity you spend? Everything is quite simple here: just pay attention to the bill that comes to you once a month. It says total power consumption.
However, if you divide this number by the number of days, you can easily calculate the daily rate. By carefully considering all these factors, you can choose not only the size of the panel, but also the number of solar panels that are needed so that you do not feel a lack of electricity. To find a suitable model, it is best to seek the help of professionals. This way you can avoid mistakes and install a system that will meet all your requirements.
Also read: Smart home system - modern technology of comfort and economy
Therefore, if you are already thinking about what to do with a failed solar battery, even at the very initial stage of purchase, ask the manufacturer if it is possible to return the products after a certain number of years. But this option is not the only one: at present, secondary markets are becoming popular, which accept used installations of this type. In this way, equipment that has long been out of order can be taken apart and used in many other countries. In addition, today there are several sites where you can sell already used solar panels. One example is the SecondSol project, where for several years now the processes of buying and selling old modules have been actively carried out.
As you can see, the presence of solar panels not only in large industrial enterprises, but also in the territory of private houses has long ceased to be a rarity in many countries of the world. This method of generating electricity has many advantages and is currently considered the most practical and innovative. Despite the high cost of the panels, all calculations show that such a purchase will pay off in a couple of years. But such a design will last much longer - some manufacturers give a guarantee on their products for up to fifty years. All of the above points indicate that by purchasing solar panels, you get a durable, environmentally friendly and easy-to-care source of energy for your home.
The principle of operation of solar systems for heating water
The efficiency of new collectors, with special filters for capturing waves of different lengths, pleases with its value - at least 40%. Conventional silicon panels have an efficiency not exceeding 25%.
The service life of heating elements, according to manufacturers, is from 10 to 30 years. Other parts of the system, such as batteries and electronics, may fail earlier - in 5-15 years.
The principle of operation of batteries is based on the photovoltaic effect. The radiant energy passing through the photocells is converted into electrical energy. An accessible example is watches and calculators with photocells, which have been demonstrating this principle of operation to us at a primitive level for several decades.
Solar collectors
So-called collectors convert solar energy directly into heat. They have heating elements inside which liquid circulates. Through the heat exchanger circuit, energy is transferred to the working fluid, which accumulates in the tank.
Heating system based on vacuum-type solar collector
Such heating systems are already widely used in the world. Two types of collectors have been developed, flat and vacuum. For use in winter, you should choose a vacuum collector, it retains heat more reliably.But the flat collector has an advantage, it has great strength and reliability.
Cons and disadvantages of solar panels
Despite all the above advantages, batteries also have a lot of disadvantages that need to be assessed when choosing an energy source.
It is important to understand all the cons before buying, so that later you can be prepared for what you have to face. For a number of reasons, solar panels are used more often as an auxiliary source, and not as the main one.
The very first drawback is the need for a large initial investment, which is not required with a normal connection to the central power grid. Also, the payback period for investments in the power grid with solar panels is very blurry, because everything depends on factors that do not depend on the consumer.
Low level of efficiency. One square meter of an average solar array produces only about 120 watts of power. Such power is not enough even to work normally on a laptop. Solar panels have a significantly lower efficiency compared to traditional energy sources - about 14-15%. However, this drawback can be considered rather conditional, because new technologies are constantly increasing this indicator and development does not stand still, squeezing more and more energy efficiency out of the same areas.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=6POvGRZ-qGs
In the CIS countries, solar panels are quite expensive, because the state does not support the purchase of such energy sources and does not subsidize the desire of its citizens for “green” energy. Of course, the situation is much better abroad. After all, the United States is interested in the country's transition to environmentally friendly energy sources.
Another disadvantage is the efficiency of work dependent on weather conditions and climate. For example, solar panels lose their effectiveness during cloudy weather or in fog. Also, at low temperatures, in winter, the efficiency of solar panels drops. And if the panel is not of good enough quality, then at high temperatures. Therefore, it is still necessary to support solar panels with some main energy sources, or use hybrid solar panels.
It is also important that solar panels can work differently in different latitudes of the planet. In each individual area, a different amount of solar energy is released per year.
Therefore, the efficiency of the solar system also depends on the location of your home. However, as well as from the time of day, because at night there is no sun, which means there is no energy production.
Batteries cannot be used as a source of energy for equipment that consumes a lot of power.
The power supply system from the sun requires a large number of auxiliary equipment. Accumulators for energy storage, inverters, as well as a special room for installing the system. For example, nickel-cadmium batteries significantly lose their power when the temperature drops below zero Celsius.
In order to produce more power from solar energy, large areas are needed. If we talk about an industrial-scale solar power plant, then these are square kilometers. Of course, for domestic use of panels, you will not need such areas, but still consider this point if you want to expand.
Here are the pros and cons of solar panels. We hope our article has helped you decide what you need.
28
Tanning in a solarium cons of artificial tanning
However, not everything is so rosy. Even with all the rules and recommendations, the artificial sun has a lot of disadvantages.
Incompatibility of solarium and drugs. If you are taking tetracycline, doxycycline, biseptol, sulfadimethoxine, then a visit to the solarium is contraindicated - these drugs change the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.Do not combine with a solarium and hormonal pills (including contraceptives).
Health problems and visits to the solarium. Contrary to popular belief, not all skin conditions can be treated with UV light. On the contrary, many diseases under the influence of sunlight do not change their course for the better, and ultraviolet in this case acts as a very active drug, the effect of which has not been studied.
Ultraviolet irradiation is categorically contraindicated for any problems with the thyroid gland, which nature itself “hid” from the sun, and it always remains in the shadow of the chin.
With increased skin sensitivity, you should also not visit the solarium. A rash may appear on the skin, the state of health will worsen, and in some cases a real allergy to ultraviolet light may develop.
High level of radiation. Tanning sessions in the solarium should be short and no more than 3-4 times a month. This limitation is explained by the destructive effect of ultraviolet rays on various cells of the body, and it is much higher than from ordinary sunlight. Any type of skin receives stress, damage at the cellular and molecular level, and the more intense the UV exposure, the more damage. Even the most modern turbo tanning beds or vertical tanning beds and reducing the duration of procedures are not able to solve this problem.
Early skin aging. Excessive passion for solarium worsens the condition of the skin - and this is an indisputable fact. Ultraviolet dries the skin, it ages faster, the stratum corneum thickens, and this threatens to clog pores. Health problems can also be added to cosmetic problems - it is because of the fashion for tanning that the number of skin cancer cases has increased dramatically in recent years.
If you decide to visit a solarium, use reasonable caution and do not seek to achieve a bronze skin tone at any cost. Then the result of visiting the solarium will be a beautiful tan with the least risks and health benefits.
Then the result of visiting the solarium will be a beautiful tan with the least risks and health benefits.
From the history of creation
It may seem surprising, but now they are already beginning to actively improve the third generation of such panels.
Briefly about all three can be described as follows:
- Generation #1 is a single junction solar array. Minus - the period of work is not more than ten years and low productivity with a 5% efficiency.
- Generation No. 2 - also elements with one transition, but the service life has doubled - 20 years, and the efficiency has increased to 8.
- Generation No. 3 - high-performance thin-film batteries with an efficiency of up to 12%. They can work even longer. It is believed that they have a very great future in the future.
By the way, thanks to the wide possibilities of the technology, the silicon layer is deposited on both a rigid and a flexible base. That is why sputtering is most often used in thin-film models. Although they are, of course, very expensive.
Amorphous solar cells have an amazing ability to absorb dim, diffused light flux. They are actively used in those regions where cool and cloudy weather prevails. At high temperatures, they do not lose their performance level. Although gallium arsenide panels still outperform them.
The benefits of solar panels
The very first plus is the inexhaustibility and availability of an energy source. The sun is almost anywhere on the planet and in the near future, it is not going to disappear anywhere. If this source of energy disappears, then we will definitely not be worried about where to get electricity from.
The second advantage of solar panels is their environmental friendliness. Each consumer fighting for the health of his native planet considers it his duty to purchase environmentally friendly energy sources such as a windmill or, in our case, solar panels.But it's the same with electric cars. Batteries themselves are environmentally friendly, but in their production, as well as in the production of batteries, power plants and various conductors, toxic substances are used that pollute the environment.
By the way, speaking of comparison with windmills, solar panels are much quieter. They don't make any sound at all compared to noisy windmills.
Batteries wear out very slowly, because there are no moving parts, unless you use actuators in your system that turn the solar cells towards the energy source. However, even with such a system, solar panels last up to 25 years or more. Only after this period, if the batteries are of high quality, their efficiency begins to decrease and they gradually need to be replaced with new ones. Who knows what technologies will be in a quarter of a century? Perhaps the following batteries will last you for the rest of your life.
By installing such a source of energy for your home, you will not think that the energy supplier will suddenly cut off your house from the power supply for technical reasons. You are always your own boss. More precisely, its power supply system. There are no problems either with sudden price increases or with energy transportation.
After your energy solar power plant pays off, you will receive essentially free energy to the house. Of course, first for a certain period, you need to recapture investments.
Another advantage of solar power plants is the ability to scale up. The question rests only on the area available to you. It is the modularity of the batteries that allows you to easily increase the power of the system if necessary. You just need to add new solar panels and power them into the system. Although these advantages of solar power plants are covered by a significant problem, namely the need to equip large areas. We are talking about square kilometers of solar cells.
The solar panel does not consume any fuel, which means you are not dependent on fuel prices, just as you are not dependent on fuel supplies. The advantages of solar panels are also in the uninterrupted supply of electricity.
Solarium tanning pros or benefits of artificial sun
Improving the functioning of the immune system. Protective cells are activated under the influence of ultraviolet light, their number in the body increases, and after a few sessions of the solarium, you are no longer so prone to occasional colds. Immunity also increases due to the effect of light on brain cells - its regulatory systems begin to work more smoothly. Lethargy, chilliness, heaviness in the muscles in the morning disappear.
Getting rid of seasonal depression. Under the influence of sunlight, which imitates solarium lamps, a special hormone of pleasure is produced - serotonin, which is responsible for our mood and stress resistance. With the help of a solarium in the gloomy winter months, you can get rid of bouts of causeless melancholy, depressed mood, and a constant feeling of fatigue.
Beautiful tan and improved skin condition. If you follow all the rules for using a solarium, then the skin will acquire a beautiful golden hue, and its condition will noticeably improve. Small pimples and rashes on the face disappear by themselves without the use of medical cosmetics, the blood supply to the skin improves. The skin ceases to be irritated, peeling disappears, small hairs on the legs and above the upper lip burn out.
conclusions
Taking into account the results of existing forecasts for the depletion of oil, natural gas and other traditional energy resources by the middle - end of the next century, as well as the reduction in coal consumption (which, according to calculations, should be enough for 300 years) due to harmful emissions into the atmosphere, as well as the use nuclear fuel, which, subject to the intensive development of breeder reactors, will last at least 1000 years, it can be assumed that at this stage in the development of science and technology, thermal, atomic and hydroelectric sources will prevail over other sources of electricity for a long time to come. The rise in oil prices has already begun, so thermal power plants using this fuel will be replaced by coal-fired stations.
Some scientists and environmentalists in the late 1990s. they talked about the imminent prohibition of nuclear power plants by the states of Western Europe.But based on modern analyzes of the commodity market and society's needs for electricity, these statements look out of place.
The role of energy in the maintenance and further development of civilization is indisputable. In modern society it is difficult to find at least one area of human activity that would not require - directly or indirectly - more energy than human muscles can provide.
Energy consumption is an important indicator of living standards. In those days when a person obtained food by collecting forest fruits and hunting animals, he needed about 8 MJ of energy per day. After the mastery of fire, this value increased to 16 MJ: in a primitive agricultural society, it was 50 MJ, and in a more developed one, 100 MJ.
During the existence of our civilization many times there has been a change of traditional energy sources to new, more advanced ones. And not because the old source has been exhausted.
The sun always shone and warmed man: nevertheless, one day people tamed fire and began to burn wood. Then wood gave way to coal. Wood supplies seemed limitless, but steam engines demanded more high-calorie feed.
But that was only a stage. Coal soon cedes its leadership in the energy market to oil.
And here is a new round in our days, the leading types of fuel are still oil and gas. But for each new cubic meter of gas or a ton of oil, you need to go further north or east, dig deeper into the ground. No wonder that oil and gas will cost us more and more every year.
Replacement? We need a new energy leader. They will undoubtedly be nuclear sources.
The reserves of uranium, if, say, to compare them with the reserves of coal, do not seem to be so great. But on the other hand, per unit weight, it contains millions of times more energy than coal.
And the result is this: when generating electricity at nuclear power plants, it is believed that one hundred thousand times less money and labor must be spent than when extracting energy from coal. And nuclear fuel comes to replace oil and coal ... It has always been like this: the next source of energy was also more powerful. It was, so to speak, a militant line of energy.
In pursuit of an excess of energy, a person plunged deeper and deeper into the elemental world of natural phenomena and until some time did not really think about the consequences of his deeds and actions.
But times have changed. Now, at the end of the 20th century, a new, significant stage of terrestrial energy begins. There was a gentle energy. Built so that a person does not cut the branch on which he sits. He took care of the protection of the already severely damaged biosphere.
Undoubtedly, in the future, in parallel with the line of intensive development, the power industry will receive broad citizenship rights and an extensive line: dispersed energy sources of not too high power, but with high efficiency, environmentally friendly, easy to use.
A vivid example of this is the rapid start of electrochemical energy, which, apparently, will be supplemented by solar energy later. Energy very quickly accumulates, assimilates, absorbs all the latest ideas, inventions, achievements of science. This is understandable: energy is connected literally with Everything, and Everything is drawn to energy, depends on it.
Therefore, energy chemistry, hydrogen energy, space power plants, energy sealed in antimatter, black holes, vacuum - these are just the most striking milestones, touches, individual features of the scenario that is being written before our eyes and which can be called Energy Tomorrow.
