shadowmaker
Solar Addict
I'd say go for it. You probably have no major issues with snow like I do...Thanks for that. I have a bright white roof so now I'm thinking maybe roof mount may not be a bad idea
I'd say go for it. You probably have no major issues with snow like I do...Thanks for that. I have a bright white roof so now I'm thinking maybe roof mount may not be a bad idea
It's tempting. Yeah in Dallas 0.1" of snow per year is the official figureI'd say go for it. You probably have no major issues with snow like I do...
The problem with this, is winter ?The whitest paint is here – and it’s the coolest. Literally.
In an effort to curb global warming, Purdue University engineers have created the whitest paint yet. Coating buildings with this paint may one day cool them off enough to reduce the need for air conditioning, the researchers say.www.purdue.edu
Mirror backed stainless steel? What's the reflecting of that? I bet it's not better than white paintIf I were doing something like this myself, I would not use paint.
I would buy a very thin sheet of mirror backed stainless steel.
It will last forever, very easy to keep clean and looking good, and easily removable.
Sure is.Mirror backed stainless steel? What's the reflecting of that? I bet it's not better than white paint
Polished stainless steel has a lower solar reflectivity index score then bright white.Sure is.
Mirror stainless can be polished to act as a real mirror, very efficient at reflecting all light.
You cannot see your own reflection in white paint !
Unpolished it looks like a stainless steel kitchen sink (or urinal) even unpolished it still reflects much better than any paint.
Truckers love this stuff, its almost like chrome, but much more durable and easier to maintain.
Look at the reflections in the fuel tanks, rear mudguards, and front bumper of this truck:
Not a problem, in winter all the roofs are white, no matter what colour they are in summerThe problem with this, is winter ?
The article says most white paint only reflects about 80% to 90% of solar heat.Polished stainless steel has a lower solar reflectivity index score then bright white.
Also, read the article posted above
Not in Texas unfortunatelyNot a problem, in winter all the roofs are white, no matter what colour they are in summer
You are quite wrong. What is the ACTUAL SRI of polished stainless steel or regular stainless steel?The article says most white paint only reflects about 80% to 90% of solar heat.
Their "super paint" hits 98% which is pretty good for paint.
A metal reflector will easily beat white paint for reflectivity. For optical wavelengths in the visible spectrum, natural silver is the best, which is why mirrors are "silvered".
At infrared frequencies gold is better than than silver. You may have noticed space vehicles often use a lot of (real) gold foil. Not white paint !
Except in Feb 2021...?Not in Texas unfortunately
Ok . For 4 days every 10 years . LolExcept in Feb 2021...?
I expect that only the part of the spectrum the solar panels can use will matter - for the PV collection part. The heat reflection part is a separate matter.You are quite wrong. What is the ACTUAL SRI of polished stainless steel or regular stainless steel?
Except in Amarillo... I've been told LOL!Ok . For 4 days every 10 years . Lol
You could be right about the required spectrum, but it would make an interesting test to compare a large mirror to a similar sized white painted board.I expect that only the part of the spectrum the solar panels can use will matter - for the PV collection part. The heat refection part is a separate matter.
Yes. But I asked first. What is the SRI of polished stainless steel?Can you find a link to a source that compares white paint to pure silver as an optical reflector ?
The guys building mirror reflectors for astronomical telescopes sure do not use white paint.
Why wouldn't it?I would be even more surprised if a white painted surface survived as well as stainless steel over a few years of outdoor exposure.