SolarDIY

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SolarDIY is a vibrant community dedicated to embracing the power of solar energy. Here, we encourage you to showcase your ingenious ideas, innovative projects, and inspiring stories, while also seeking valuable advice, fresh ideas, and fostering meaningful connections.

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Solar pergola design advice (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by TheBiscuitLout@lemmy.world to c/solardiy@lemmy.world

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I’m starting to design a quite large solar pergola, to be built in the southern uk. Has anyone got any advice on the different methods of adding waterproofing between panels? And/or any general tips or experiences in constructing the pergola?

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[–] TheBiscuitLout@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

I’ll definitely be using bifacial panels, for applications where size is a limiting factor they’re really effective. If it wasn’t in such a visible place, I’d back them with fluorescent paint too, that apparently ups their efficiency again.

Edit: bifacial panels. Biracial panels are something else entirely. Thanks Autocucumber

[–] Pretzilla@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Interesting idea with the paint - you mean paint the back side?

Bifacials pick up extra reflected light from the ground or water, etc., so paint will negate that.

And they are semi-translucent and let through some nice ambient light.

If you get the construction right - rafters spaced to panel width - then you're cooking with induction. (as the saying goes I just made up)

[–] TheBiscuitLout@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

No, I mean if you’re putting them into a surface such asa roof, you can paint the roof in fluorescent paint, and due to the paint converting non-visible wavelengths of light into visible ones, it effectively reflects more light back into the rear of the cells than comes past the front of the cell.

Definitely do not paint the back of the panel!