Filtering Solar Panels

Most recent answer: 04/22/2010

Q:
If I wanted to have one color of light on a solar panel I was thinking of using a colored filter. If I put a green and blue transparency over the solar panel will red light be the only light to pass through? If I put a blue and red transparency over will green light pass through? And red and green transparency, blue passes through? I am trying to isolate a color of light (primary) to the solar panel. Thanks.
- Jeff (age 34)
Moose Jaw, SK, Canada
A:
This project sounds a little mysterious. Solar panels are usually used to generate electrical power. For that use, you wouldn't want to throw away any of the power by having  it absorbed by filters.

Maybe you are using the panel for something else- say measuring variations in the amount of different colors coming in. In that case you can use a much smaller, cheaper light detector (e.g. a photovoltaic diode).

Or maybe by 'panel" you mean a decorative sunroof?

Anyway, the easiest way to test what colors get through different combinations of colored filters is just to try them and look by eye.

If we've misunderstood the idea, please follow-up.

Mike W.

(published on 04/22/2010)