Faculty Sponsor(s)
Jennifer T. Heath
Location
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Subject Area
Physics/Applied Physics
Description
The bifacial solar cell is superior to its mono-facial predecessor due to its ability to convert incident light and reflected light into energy. The scattering of the reflected light is affected by the property of the material with which it is interacting. Therefore, the way in which surrounding material reflects light into the bifacial solar cells is critical in the amount of energy which it produces. In the first experiment, reflective efficiencies compared to the angle of reflection were explored for different grit of sandpaper in order to develop an understanding of how surface texture impacts reflectivity. As expected, there was a linear correlation between the reflective efficiency and the coarseness of the sandpaper. The higher grit sandpaper yielded a lower efficiency than the lower grit sandpaper. Then, materials that would typically be used in construction were explored using the same techniques. As the world becomes more energy efficient, it’s important to understand what building tools should be used to increase those efficiencies.
Recommended Citation
Metter, Michael A., "Reflective Efficiencies of Materials for Applications of Bifacial Solar Cells" (2016). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 50.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2016/all/50
Reflective Efficiencies of Materials for Applications of Bifacial Solar Cells
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
The bifacial solar cell is superior to its mono-facial predecessor due to its ability to convert incident light and reflected light into energy. The scattering of the reflected light is affected by the property of the material with which it is interacting. Therefore, the way in which surrounding material reflects light into the bifacial solar cells is critical in the amount of energy which it produces. In the first experiment, reflective efficiencies compared to the angle of reflection were explored for different grit of sandpaper in order to develop an understanding of how surface texture impacts reflectivity. As expected, there was a linear correlation between the reflective efficiency and the coarseness of the sandpaper. The higher grit sandpaper yielded a lower efficiency than the lower grit sandpaper. Then, materials that would typically be used in construction were explored using the same techniques. As the world becomes more energy efficient, it’s important to understand what building tools should be used to increase those efficiencies.
