Silicon PV coverplate

[BrunoPuntzJones]

There do not seem to be too many photovoltaics people here, but if anyone can help me out:

Most crystalline (single and multi) silicon solar panels I've seen have a patterned coverplate. What exactly is the reasoning for using patterned glass?

I have my own thoughts on this but I'll keep quiet for now, I want to hear what others have to say.

Thanks!

 

[itsmoked]

The cell want their privacy.

Actually it's to reduce reflections. A smooth sheet of glass will reflect a large amount of light at certain sun angles. It also has more surface area and probably runs a bit cooler.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

On the subject of reducing reflections, a finely textured glass plate will have lower reflection than a flat plate, but most of the panels I've seen don't have a fine texture-- they have a much larger scale pattern. As far as the data I've seen, the pattern does not appreciably reduce reflection, it just diffuses the reflection. In other words, total hemispheric reflection is identical with or without the pattern. Am I wrong in my understanding here?

As to the second point "more surface area--> cools faster" seems plausible but it's not a reason I've heard suggested before for use of patterned glass, so I doubt it's the driving motivator.

It also seems to me that the patterned glass will (in some circumstances) dirty easier and be harder to clean.

 

[IRstuff]

see:

http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20090126780

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Thanks for the infor IRStuff & itsmoked.

By the way, Saint Gobain's line of patterned glass includes deeply textured glass (Albarino P) that I have no doubt effectively reduce overall reflection, as well as lightly textured glass (Albarino S) that only diffuse the reflection. It is the lightly textured glasses I have seen most often on silicon PV modules.