Color Solar

Color of light affect solar panel?
I used red, blue and green filters. (and no filter) My results were none was the best, then red, green, blue. Why is that? If you can....(which will be credited) What is the strength of the light determined by?

The energy of the photons (bits of light) is determined by their frequency.

E = hf.

Where E is the energy of the photon, f is its frequency in Hz, and h is Planck's constant, h = 6.663*10^-34 Js.

The results you get will depend on what you use as your light source, and what kind of filters you use.

The visible light spectrum spectrum runs from approx 450*10^12 Hz (red) through to 750*10^12 Hz (blue). So red photons have the least energy, and blue photons have the most energy. Green is in between the two at about 600*10^12 Hz.

So, when you have no filter, all the photons can hit the solar cell, and you get the best efficiency.

Given that the red filter is giving you the next best results, I'm guessing that you're using what are called notch-filters. These are filters that only block a particular colour. So when you use the red filter, you're losing only the low energy red photons, but still keeping the medium energy green, and the high energy blue photons.

When you use the green filter, you're keeping the low energy red photons, and the high energy blue photons. When you use the blue filter, you're losing the high energy blue photons.

Path Lighting

Which path is the correct path of light through a reflecting telescope?

Which path is the correct path of light through a reflecting telescope

It bounces off the mirrors and comes out the focuser.

In a Newtonian the focuser is on the side. In a Cassegrain telescope it's out the back.

Is there a diagram you're not showing us?

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Light Solar

How is Solar Energy converted into light in Solar lights?

There are many solar lights out there which are put outside in the sunlight and store the light or the energy of the sun. But how is it converted into light? And why is it that they only work at night? Thanks

The sunlight is converted to electrical energy and stored in a rechargable battery. When the sun goes down a sensor turns on the light. The stored energy is then used to power the light.

Lighting Outdoor

What should I do with my outdoor lighting?

I have 5 lights in my front yard that are connected to underground wiring. Several are broken and I need to replace them. The system is old, but I assume there's not a better alternative. Is replacement easy? Any suggested products? Thanks.
My current system is hooked up to a timer in my garage. It's very convenient. Seems like solar lights would be a step down.

If the system is still operational, except the lights, it is very easy to fix. You can find replacement parts, bulbs included, at most box stores or even online. I would stay away from the solar lights. They tend to put out what I call a fake light.

To replace the old light with new ones, you simply remove the entire unit, (spike, and all) . Watch to see how it is connected to the wiring, as this will save you time when you attatch the new one. Most of the time the unit snaps thru the wiring with metal clips that alow the current to reach the light. The plastic base then covers this connection and you place it back in the ground.

If you want to increase the amount of lights you have on your system you can always get a larger transformer, then add more wiring at the end of the old one.

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Led Solar

How can I power a couple small appliances using solar power?

What would I need to power a small fan, some LED lights, ect in my home, without spending hundreds or thousands of dollers? How would I set it up? I think I would need a Solar Panel, a AC/DC converter or some kind, and a Battery?

Look up solar solar power supplies, battery charger and solar charger on the Internet.Lots of good information there.

You will need to know how much current you will be drawing, the number of hours you will be using power, the rating of the power supply and the insolation ( this is spelled correctly) from insolation tables on the Internet.

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