Solar Panels and Fresnel Lenses

[quantumtangles]

Has anyone here tried using Fresnel Lenses (or any type of lens) to focus light onto solar panels so as to maximise power output, particularly mono-crystalline multi-layered solar panels?


I am interested in finding out whether efficiencies of greater than 33.7% are possible with multi-layered panels; interested in learning more about multi-layered panels, and whether and to what extent solar panels generally suffer thermal damage due to Fresnel Lens amplification.

[DreamThinkBuild]

Hi Quantumtangles,

I've tried mirrors before on a small panel and it seems to increase the output but heats up quickly. Keeping the panels cool and not burning holes in it is the big issue.

33.7%?, maybe combine the mirrors/fresnel lens with the panel underwater to keep it cool?

Here are some videos done by Dan Rojas aka GreenPowerScience.

SOLAR PANEL WITH A FRESNEL LENS CPV CONCENTRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC PV SOLAR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yh1q59a1h0

Solar Panel Mirror Booster 30% increase in power output with mirrors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_cEYld4LiU

Underwater SOLAR PANELS 9% Stronger PV Photovoltaic Sun Power
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGi0Mf3cl1E

[powercat]

Hi DreamThinkBuild
Great videos, lots of good ideas, Next week I get my new solar panels and I am planning Some experiments before they go on the roof, It's been so long Since I have done any 
I love solar panels the only genuine free energy device I have ever found, If only I can make them run 24 7  Anyway let you all know how it goes next week as long as I get the time.

Hi Quantumtangles
I hope you are using an MPPT Controller as they can give 30 per cent more then conventional ones, I am presuming that you are storing your energy in batteries.

[quantumtangles]

Many thanks powercat and dreamthinkbuild.


Plenty for me to think about here.

[Magluvin]

Hi Quantumtangles,

I've tried mirrors before on a small panel and it seems to increase the output but heats up quickly. Keeping the panels cool and not burning holes in it is the big issue.

33.7%?, maybe combine the mirrors/fresnel lens with the panel underwater to keep it cool?

Here are some videos done by Dan Rojas aka GreenPowerScience.

SOLAR PANEL WITH A FRESNEL LENS CPV CONCENTRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC PV SOLAR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yh1q59a1h0

Solar Panel Mirror Booster 30% increase in power output with mirrors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_cEYld4LiU

Underwater SOLAR PANELS 9% Stronger PV Photovoltaic Sun Power
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGi0Mf3cl1E

here is an idea I was thinking of for a while now....

Yeah the panels get really hot just in straight sun let alone using lenses. So the idea is to build a water solar collector under the panels.  If anodized aluminum is used as the heat collector, the panels can be mounted to that with heat sink compound so the panels heat is transferred to the hot water collector. Keeping the panels cool(even 130deg is better than no cooling at all) will provide more output and ya get hot water to boot.

Seems like a convenient way to get 2 things accomplished in the space of 1.  ;]

Mags