Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: katieHaylor on 17/04/2018 10:12:29

Title: Could sails capture solar energy?
Post by: katieHaylor on 17/04/2018 10:12:29

Paul asks:

Has anyone tried creating sails which are coated with materials that can collect solar energy, so the sails are dual-purpose?

What do you think?

Title: Re: Could sails capture solar energy?
Post by: evan_au on 17/04/2018 12:03:04

They have tried on sailing ships- but the most efficient solar cells are made of inflexible materials like silicon and gallium arsenide, and sails need to be furled...
https://www.sailmagazine.com/gear/power-sails-sails-built-with-integral-solar-panels

A more literal version of a solar sail has been experimentally deployed in space. It gains momentum from the momentum of the photons striking it.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_sail

Title: Re: Could sails capture solar energy?
Post by: Colin2B on 19/04/2018 23:07:23

Interesting developments in ocean racing yachts is the rigid wingsail. Carbon fibre and kevlar are used to create an aerofoil.
Maybe a later development could incorporate solar cells