What specific characteristic of solar panel glass maximizes the amount of sunlight transmitted to the silicon layer?
Answer
Low-iron content.
The glass used for the front layer of a solar panel is specialized, often described as tempered, low-iron, high-transmission glass. Its role is not just physical protection but maximizing energy input. To achieve this, the iron content must be minimized. Iron oxides tend to absorb light in the visible spectrum, reducing the energy reaching the underlying silicon cell. By utilizing low-iron glass, engineers ensure that the maximum possible amount of sunlight passes through the protective barrier to initiate the photovoltaic effect, which is crucial for overall panel efficiency.
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