In this quick guide, we’ll discuss if using a magnifying glass on a solar panel increases more electrical energy.
You will learn how it works and decide if this is relevant to your solar project or experiment.
Let’s check it out!
Can a Magnifying Generate Electricity?
No. A magnifying glass doesn’t generate electricity. As the name implies, the primary function of a magnifying glass is to magnify and not generate electricity.
What’s the Energy Transformation of a Magnifying Glass?
The energy transformation of a magnifying glass is from mechanical to thermal energy.
Generally, the act of burning an object with a magnifying glass is known as COMBUSTION. In this case, the energy from the sun is coupled with a magnifying glass. The heat energy is then concentrated, leading to burning.
How Hot Can a Magnifying Glass Get?
A magnifying glass can get as hot as 400 degrees at its focal point.
In order to determine the level of hotness a magnifying glass can get, one needs to determine the temperature of the sun’s surface.
Is it possible to subject an object to the heat of more than 6000K using a magnifying glass?
Usually, it is IMPOSSIBLE to burn any object when the temperature is higher than 5750K with magnifying glass and sunlight.
Ultimately, heating such objects is more achievable with higher temperatures with the help of electricity generated from solar-powered cells. However, this isn’t reliable as solar isn’t efficient.
Heating can only occur when the temperature is lower than 5750K, while the magnifying glass can be 100%.
How does Solar Panels Work?
Solar panel collects sunlight and convert it into electrical energy. However, the efficiency level isn’t always 100%. The industry highest rating is about 15 – 22 %
Solar energy usually works in two separate ways;
- Photovoltaic cells
- Solar thermal energy.
Photovoltaic cells convert energy from solar into electricity. When sunlight hits the photovoltaic cells, it releases electrons, creating electric currents, and ultimately producing electricity.
The primary function of these troughs is to promote the capturing of more sunlight. In solar thermal energy, the energy from the sun is captured in the parabolic trough to heat a fluid. Meanwhile, the heated fluid is then transferred to heat the water, which produces steam.
Instead, some of the leftovers are converted into heat. As a result, this increased the heat energy generated by the solar panel.
Do Solar Panels Get Hot?
YES! Solar panels temperature rises as electrical energy is produced.
Most solar panels have a rated temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit which seems INTENSE.
Solar panels are hotter than the atmosphere around them because they are actively absorbing the heat from the sun.
When solar panels get hot, it increases the temperature of the operating cells, thus reducing the ability of the panel to generate electricity. Their dark color also contributes to their hotness as dark colors have been found to absorb more heat.
Does an increase in solar energy also increase the temperature of the solar panel?
An increase in solar energy DO NOT increase the temperature of the solar panel.
One of the primary factors affecting the production of electricity by your solar panels is the TEMPERATURE. It is easy to assume that more sun and more heat lead to increased electricity, but that’s WRONG.
Different solar panels exhibit different reactions, especially with ambient temperature. However, in all situations, the efficiency of a solar panel essentially reduces as the temperature increased. The temperature coefficient is generally referred to as the impact of temperature on the efficiency of solar panels.
Why Use Magnifying Glass on Solar Panel?
There are quite a number of reasons to use a magnifying glass on solar panels. If you are curious to discover better ways to increase the amount of energy drawn from solar panels, using a magnifying glass on a solar panel could be an exciting path to explore.
You can use a magnifying glass on your solar panels to;
- Satisfy your curiosity
- For emergency purposes
- For experiments
All in all, Do It Yourself projects are excellent, but it is highly discouraging when it comes to projects that can backfire if you do not possess the requisite skills, knowledge, and understanding. Ensure that you seek the service of a professional for the installation of your solar panels.
