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I think the biggest question here is what saves more dirty energy. Obviously, these units will compete with solar for roof space. The sun beats down in the summ
by oomkiller 9y ago
I think the biggest question here is what saves more dirty energy. Obviously, these units will compete with solar for roof space. The sun beats down in the summer, where these panels would be most useful, but also where solar would hit peak power generation. As long as solar can supply at least 20% of the power required to cool the building, it seems like it will be a better option, as solar is also useful for other things like charging electric cars during the winter, when A/C is not required.
- jws 9y agoEven on a flat roof, there is room to add radiator panels without compromising solar space. The solar panels will be tipped up to the south some amount based on their latitude, but you don't want to shade the low end of a panel with the high end of the next one, so there is a gap between rows. A shaded gap. Precisely the best spot to put radiator panels. You could even imagine a combined product which would be a corrugated panel alternating "uphill" solar and "downhill" radiator segments with the dimensions tailored to the latitude. This could be installed flat on the roof.
- dsr_ 9y ago180 degree flip panels. Solar cells during the day, IR radiators at night.
- phinnaeus 9y agoPlus it would look super cool if you got them to flip in a wave pattern across your roof.
- 0xfeba 9y agoI can see it now: malware communicating across air-gapped systems by way of flipping radiator panels on roofs.
- Micoloth 9y agoYes this has to be it
- kerkeslager 9y agoAfter the CRISPR malware transmitted via actual genes, I'd barely be surprised.
- 0xfeba 9y agoThat was a lot of hype and not much else. They modified the machines that were reading the specially crafted DNA.
- nerpderp83 9y agoLife always finds a way.
- politician 9y agoTesla's SolarCity product consists of rooftop tiles, some of which are not solar panels -- approx. 50%. Those non-collecting panels could be replaced with IR emitting panels without much change to their overall strategy.
- DontGiveTwoFlux 9y agoThis assumes it is most efficient to build the solar locally. These radiative panels have to be installed locally. Solar can be transmitted over wires from large scale plants.