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Why did solar panel blinds/curtains never take off? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 15 hours ago by doomsdayrs@lemmy.ml to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

13 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Solar panels for roofs, balconies, lawns all exist.

But why hasn't solar panel blinds and curtains taken off?

To me it seems really good for people who live in apartments and want to get more juice from the windows.

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[–] vk6flab@lemmy.radio 17 points 15 hours ago (2 children)

Some reasos::

We don't (yet) have flexible panels that would survive the abuse that curtains experience.

Vertical surfaces are not nearly as effective for the majority of cases in capturing solar radiation.

Windows have lots of obstructions that reduce the effectiveness of a solar panel.

Putting solar panels behind an extra layer of glass that would need to be kept pristine would be counter productive.

The voltages involved in solar panels would create an added source of danger inside the house.

[–] stsquad@lemmy.ml 2 points 15 hours ago

To be honest I think windows work better as sun traps. Even in the winter a good sunny day will make a noticeable difference to my bedroom with large south facing double glazed units.

[–] doomsdayrs@lemmy.ml 0 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

We don't (yet) have flexible panels that would survive the abuse that curtains experience.

Vertical surfaces are not nearly as effective for the majority of cases in capturing solar radiation.

But blinds then would be perfectly fine no? They can adjust their angle and aren't flexible.

Windows have lots of obstructions that reduce the effectiveness of a solar panel.

A 10% loss is not bad, even 30% isn't too bad, because every cent counts.

Putting solar panels behind an extra layer of glass that would need to be kept pristine would be counter productive.

You don't clean your windows yearly?

The voltages involved in solar panels would create an added source of danger inside the house.

Home/Commercial battery systems like EcoFlow don't seem dangerous at all to me. I feel like the danger you're describing is minimal with the wattages you'd get from window panels.

[–] deegeese@sopuli.xyz 3 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago)

These things are all solvable but will always remain reasons why solar blinds are not practical.

Solar on residential buildings isn’t about collection area, it’s about cost and practicality.

edit: And even low power will kill you. Your 10w panel still makes a lethal 100mA. You can’t hand wave safety.