L R AS Published on Saturday 21 March 2020 - n° 314 - Categories:products, various products

Place mirrors near the panels to increase their efficiency by 20%.

Placing mirrors close to the panels increases the efficiency of the system by 20% during the summer season. Although the technology is still far from economically viable, research shows that higher efficiencies can be achieved without significantly affecting the panel temperature.

Researchers

Indian scientists from the National Institute of Technology, CEEE and Shoolini University have improved the efficiency of a photovoltaic system using reflective mirrors. In the past, mirror reflectors have been used to increase the electricity production of the panels. They have increased production by between 20% and 30% depending on the season, the installation site and the type of reflector.

These researchers conducted their study in the Himalayan region. The temperature of the panels was increased between 0 and 4 degrees Celsius compared to a PV system without a reflector.

An increased production of the panels was observed between 9 am and 1 pm. Lower efficiency was recorded between 14:00 and 17:00. The optimum mirror tilt angle was found to be 40° in the summer and between 10° and 20° from December to February. The study does not provide details on the costs of this mirror reflector technology, nor does it specify what average cost of electricity (ACOE) can be obtained through its use.

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2020/03/19/raising-a-pv-systems-yield-by-20-with-mirror-reflectors/

PV Magazine of 19 March

Editor's note Mirror reflector technology shows its advantages over a single panel, and its limitations in relation to trackers that adapt to the movement of the sun. It is certainly the fixed position that provides more energy in the morning than in the afternoon.

The evolution of the optimal angle of inclination of the mirrors is interesting because it indicates the interest of two-axis trackers, even if they are very difficult to set up and manage.

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