Reflecting Light Into Solar Panels

This is probably one of the cheapest and easiest ways to boost the power of a small solar panel but this method does have some limitations.

Reflecting light into solar panels.

If you use a large mirror there is no need to align it to reflect light onto the solar panel just drop it on the ground in front of the panel for an instant 75 power boost. Glass one of the most important components of a solar panel reflects a very small portion of the light that falls on it. Some solar panels are also designed with additional light trapping properties that help boost energy production while reducing glare. Robert phipps says his neighbour s solar panels give off such a glare his family are permanently blinded by the light robert phipps 51 says the position and angle of his neighbour s roof means.

And research has shown that they reflect less light than snow white concrete and energy efficient white rooftops. Solar modules are coated with anti reflective materials that maximize light absorption. British designer lucy norman s sun sill builds on this idea using windowsill mounted mirrors to bounce scarce sunlight into dark interiors. As the sun shines on the typical solar farm sending electricity into the grid a fair amount of the sun s energy is lost as the light hits the ground between rows of panels.

Sun sill features a series of round mirrors perched on. When the sun hits the mirrors the light and heat are reflected and sent to whichever spot you ve designated up to 25 feet away. Solar powered motors adjust the mirrors to reflect the maximum. There are ways to reduce reflectance such as anti reflective coatings which nearly all solar panels on the market today utilize.

The perc technology had the advantage of reflecting previously unabsorbed light. Thermodynamic efficiency is the maximum efficiency possible.