NPhil
Freezing in the dark non-enthusiast
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2021
- Messages
- 219
They will ride on top of a minivan, low on the roof when the vehicle is in motion or in need of a degree of stealth, optionally lifted and tilted when parked where maximum power production is my priority. Today I tested a Reflectix-type barrier between the panels and the roof, which seemed effective at lowering the amount if IR coming off the back of the panels and being absorbed by the roof of the vehicle, which I assume will decrease the heat load in the cabin. But now I think I will need to remove more heat from the back of the panels in another way than radiation. Another design goal is to keep an unusual amount of complexity up there light, and not too tall. There will be additional structure supporting the panels, since they have to tilt as a unit, and there are some sliding panels underneath.
I'm also curious about bending the rigid panels, since the front panel and rear panel will meet a curved roof at an angle, and the aerodynamics will be much more easily done if the panels can at least meet the curve of the roof halfway. The reason I think this may be possible is that one of my test panels was purchased at a discount and has a kink in the frame which visibly bends the glass. I've been testing with it more many months, it produces well enough, as far as I can tell.
I'm also curious about bending the rigid panels, since the front panel and rear panel will meet a curved roof at an angle, and the aerodynamics will be much more easily done if the panels can at least meet the curve of the roof halfway. The reason I think this may be possible is that one of my test panels was purchased at a discount and has a kink in the frame which visibly bends the glass. I've been testing with it more many months, it produces well enough, as far as I can tell.