Geometric method for assessing the shadowing of objects in solar power engineering

This paper describes a geometric model for assessing the effective area of solar panels with regard to their shadowing when the object is illuminated by the solar flow from a given direction. Using energy methods, the flow density, the irradiation created by it, and the exposure in radiant or effective units of measurement were determined. Both physical and mathematical formulation of the problem of assessing the energy efficiency of solar panels using the method of geometric modeling are described. To evaluate energy efficiency, a voxel geometric model was selected that discretizes the computational space. A significant difference in the developed voxel geometric model is that it is multivalued, i.e. uses not a 2-digit, but a 4-digit code. Such ambiguity allows the decisive algorithm to quickly “figure out” the origin of the shadow source when calculating the total effective area of solar panels. The described software implementation of the geometric model, graphical shell, and model verification results can be used in the optimization system for designing spacecraft and other solar energy facilities.

Evaporation Rate Management Using Substrates with Graphene Nanoflakes Coating

This work is devoted to finding of a solution of the actual problem of modern solar power engineering that consists in incomplete conversion of the Planck spectrum of solar radiation using photoelectric conversion. Concentrated solar power being an alternative faces other limiting features such as high cost of building and maintenance, large areas occupied by these plants, the need of precise adjustment of mirrors-lenses systems and also its detrimental effect on nature, birds in particular. An intensification of vaporization from the surface of water can become a solution. In this work a thin layer made of graphene nanoflakes was used as an absorbing media for solar radiation that intensifies evaporation. Also it acts as a catalyst for transmission of water through porous substrate that was made of wood. Results for these experiments were compared with evaporation from free surface. The possibility of using of these porous substrates for the purpose of desalting and purifying water was also experimentally studied.