PV Gap

Lori Said:

Can Solar panels be damaged by radiation and solar wind etc? (Mainly radiation)?

We Answered:

That depends upon if you mean in outer space or here on earth. Because on Earth we have a magnetic shield that deflects all of that radiation and solar wind. but in outer space, certainly

Irma Said:

Nuclear reactors vs. Solar panels?

We Answered:

1: You should research nuclear reactors and their emissions. Mostly it's waste heat, and if they use a water-based cooling reactor, there can be significant emissions of water vapor. Some might consider the spent fuel an emission too. Waste nuclear material disposal is a problem. Research it.

Solar panels have no emissions during operation, but there is some nasty stuff emitted when they are manufactured.

2: Maintenance of solar panels is pretty straightforward: keep them clean, trim overhanging trees, shrubs, etc., check for and clean corrosion, contaminants, etc. regularly.

Maintenance of nuclear power plants, so far, is a full time job for many technicians and engineers. The recently developed portable (the size of a shed) nuclear generators claim zero maintenance for 20+ years. That's a big improvement.

Roger Said:

A couple question about different types of alternative energy?

We Answered:

1. Electricity: isn't electricity ultimately produced from oil or something ultimately anyways?

no its not produced from oil

2. Fossil Oil/ Petroleum: is this limited or is there a lot of it?

it is very limited. and it is non renewable. it takes billions time to exist

3. Nuclear: are nuclear power plants dangerous? is this a very high producing option?

it is dangerous but we can reduce it advantages andit id very useful energy

4. Solar: do panels really produce enough energy?

no.its convert energy.

5. Ethanol: is this worth it or a waste of food?

we can use it moderately

6. Coal: do we have a lot of this and is it way too polluting?

we can make a lot of coal.but it is way too polluting


7. What about microwave

idk

Pamela Said:

How would we patent our solar-briefcase design?

We Answered:

You can patent the DESIGN that you come up with for the briefcase, but not the idea of a solar-powered briefcase. Draw out your design(s), and submit them to the patent office with a description of the function of the case. It can all be done online, but if you really think you have a design worth protecting, then you would need to hire a patent attorney to perform a search for similar patents and to properly file yours.

Dennis Said:

How much light energy, different types of light bulbs give out?

We Answered:

The spectral sensitivity of a photovoltaic panel will be determined by the type. What this means is, if I read your experimental idea correctly- if your bulbs all are of the same wattage, or for a more accurate measure- luminosity either measured as lumens or candella, the color closest to the spectral sensitivity will be one of the best for panel output. Daylight white from sunlight will still be best because the spectral sensitivity of most panels will have multiple spikes due to the compounds used and manufacturing techniques. Eco- I take to mean CFL, will do well, partly because of the extra glare, but because a daylight colored CFL will produce heavy green wavelengths. This would place second to daylight. An incandescent will produce about the sameas the CFL, but likely slightly less. followed by red and then blue. Although these last two would likely be very close.

As for voltage- it all depends on how you set up the components, and the components you choose all will affect voltage output All are sources of error in measurements. Distances, angle differences, etc.