Improving the performance efficiency of solar panel by using flat mirror concentrator

Abstract

This research focuses on developing a method of evaluation the effect of concentrator on the solar panel performance to get a higher power and optimum efficiency. Also the effect of temperature on the solar panel system with and without concentrator was studied. A Flat Mirror has been used as a Concentrator (FMC) for low cost and low control power consumption which was fixed to the solar panel module. FMC has been used to increase the incident irradiance on solar panel system by concentrating the sun light ray on it and then to improve the cell performance. A comparison is made between two PV solar panel systems with and without concentrator. The FMC consists of two flat mirrors made of glass, with dimensions (146cm × 68cm) enclosed by aluminum frame and connected at an angle 60 ° with a solar panel (147cm × 68cm) tilted at 45° from the horizon. The results indicated that when the concentrator is used with the solar panel the efficiency increased by a factor of (51%) to (64%) and the variation in efficiency (Δƞ) is (25.4%), the variation in maximum output power (ΔPm) is (17%) and all solar parameters increased. The temperature of the environment affected all solar panel characteristics especially the power, and efficiency affected strongly by high temperature.