Doubling the Performance-Cost Ratio of PV by Using Cheap Mirrors - a Secondary School Project

Abstract

Reduction of cost is a major issue in the photovoltaics field. We have addressed this issue in a secondaryschool science project by considering the use of cheap mirrors in combination with solar panels, for application in developing countries. We have confirmed that it is possible to increase the performance-cost ratio of solar cells by using mirrors. With geometric analyses of several configurations involving a solar panel and mirrors of different size, in combination with measurements, we have shown that a performance enhancement can be reached of 126%, with respect to a horizontally placed solar panel. This performance enhancement can be reached at only 30% higher cost using a solar cell in combination with an elongated mirror made of commercially available bathroom tiles. However, using an Al foil elongated mirror a performance enhancement can be reached of 120% at 10% higher cost. Therefore, the use of an Al foil is more cost effective than the use of bathroom tiles.