Solar Array
Our solar array consists of approximately 5 m^2* of Monocrystalline Silicon solar cells. At approximately 23% efficient and the sun providing 1000 W/m^2 of power, we expect to get approximately 1150 W from our solar array.
* Disclaimer : This article was written during an older vehicle cycle as of August 2024, MSXV currently is on a 4 m^2 solar array
Encapsulation
A significant part of the cost of a solar car's array is the module assembly and encapsulation. The two main companies that provide this are SunCat Solar and Gochermann Solar Technology. The main purpose of encapsulation include:
- Connecting individual cells to create modules
- Make cells more durable/easier to clean
- Apply an anti-reflective coating to reduce losses
An example of the benefits from the anti-reflection coating is described on Gochermann's website:
Solar Panel physics overview from NE242 (Semiconductor Physics)
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