Increase output

[Lucinda]

Can the output of a solar panel be increased by using mirrors?
If not, why?

[MarineLiner]

In thread "magnifying"

Welcome onboard and thanks for joining.
Yes, i had ever post it in a thread with "magnifying glass" words.
You can search while i'll come back here after found it.
Jun.08,2009:Putting a Magnifying Glass on Solar Panels? - Solar Panel Forum

Technology Review: Cheaper Solar Concentrators

http://beta.technologyreview.com/business/22582/

[Aussie Bob]

Lucinda,

Welcome to SPT.

You can use solar concentrators to increase the input for a solar panel. I don't have any experience with them, but just google solar concentrators and you'll find what you're looking for.

http://www.solar-solar.com/Attachments/PICT10.jpg

[Mike90250]

Can the output of a solar panel be increased by using mirrors?
If not, why?

Yes, but you have to keep the cell temperature below 200F, or you will damage it. In cold weather, a snow field in front of a solar array, will reflect light, and increase the output quite a bit. When it warms up, the snow melts, and you are back to nominal output

[Off Grid Solar]

There are two types of solar sytems. Solar PV and solar heat collectors. Solar PV should not be refective but absorbing of light. Light waves never change. The absorbtion of photons is what really makes a solar panel with more effiency. The more photons the more electrons (AMPS) produced. Solar heat collectors will produce more heat with magnification of light. This creates more heat. On a solar PV we need to absorb the most photons and keep the heat away from a solar cell. In solar PV you loose power sometimes up to 10% because of a hot solar PV panel. Solar thermal is mechanical and solar PV is not. Solar thermal is 12% effiency and now there are solar cells that are over 38% effiency. Solar thermal requires fuel (water) solar PV does not. To me Solar PV is better all around.

[judysolar]

Can the output of a solar panel be increased by using mirrors?
If not, why?

For conventional silicon-based solar panels, a good appliance to remove heat must be needed in using mirrors, because silicon solar panels work badly in hot environment. And meanwhile, a tracking system must be taken, so that the panels face sun anytime.