Re:Solar generates fifth of global electricity on summer sol...
by magicalhippo on Saturday June 22, 2024 @08:24PM
(#40763500)
> Also fairly trivial to rig up a resistive heating system for melting the snow
Couldn't you just run power through the solar cells as if they were giant LEDs? Or don't they like that?
Re:Solar generates fifth of global electricity on summer sol...
by timschmidt on Saturday June 22, 2024 @08:31PM
(#40763544)
It is possible to back-feed power through a solar cell such that it emits photons (or maybe just heat - I'm not entirely clear on that). But all solar panels include diodes to prevent this and provide protection from hooking them up in reverse.
Re:Solar generates fifth of global electricity on summer sol...
by magicalhippo on Saturday June 22, 2024 @08:38PM
(#40763595)
Ah, makes sense. As you mentioned though, easy enough to fit some thermal heating foil on the backside unless you're using bifacials.
Also fairly trivial to rig up a resistive heating system for melting the snow in cases where the above isn't possible. Even possible to automate it based on time of day and expected power input.