Re: [TML] Re: Understanding batteries and solar and motors. Phil Pugliese 07 Oct 2015 16:13 UTC

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On Tue, 10/6/15, xxxxxx@ozemail.com.au <xxxxxx@ozemail.com.au> wrote:

 Subject: [TML] Re: Understanding batteries and solar and motors.
 To: xxxxxx@simplelists.com
 Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2015, 4:38 PM

 With regard to solar panels:

 You are limited by the amount of sunlight you are starting
 with.

 So at the top of Earth's atmosphere solar constant is about
 1300 watts per square metre.

 At ground level you are down to less than half of this. Best
 insolation is at the equator and gets worse with increasing
 latitude.

 Theoretical maximum efficiency for solar cells is about 60%
 with current designs and materials.

 You could potentially concentrate incoming sunlight with
 mirrors and lenses but you're ultimately limited by the
 incoming light (inverse square law with distance, directly
 proportional to stellar luminosity,  peak wavelengths a
 function of stellar surface temperature).

 Rob O'Connor
 Sent from my android device.
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Thanks for the info,

Question; is there much difference in the theoretical limit between Los Angeles, CA at sea-level & Denver, CO at one mile?

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