For a computer technology project we are using solar panels and trying to see different methods that will increase the output of solar power from these panels. For now, we have got polymer stickers and mirrors. Are there any more methods, or information that increase the solar power? Please and thank you :)
Even the angle of a solar panel can increase it;s out put, if you point it towards the south, it will receive more light (or towards the light source if it is an artificial source) mirrors can also be place and angled around solar panels to gather and reflect more light to the panel, this is often done is solar water heating, but would work with a panel as well. Over all, solar panels are very efficient, it's our way of catching light that isn't.
I am a senior in highschool and one of my classmates is basically a genius by all means that I can tell. He has already been accepted yo UNC Chapel Hill. His admissions statement was on exactly this subject. I proof read it for him. Anyways the basic problem with solar energy is that we can only harness about 20- 35 pecent of the energy and even less of that is converted into energy that can acutally be used. His argument is that if somehow we could harness chloraphyll which is the chemical which plants use to harness the suns energy and incorporate it somehow into our solar panels. We could harness up to 95% of the suns energy!!! Id deffinately look into this.
I agree with the other answers; . Different angles to attract more light. 2. Cooling the panels. Just make sure you have a control set up. As for the cooling I'd say if the aim was overall energy efficiency then this method would not work unless you could devise a cooling method that didn't use any electricity.
Solar okorder /... to find local solar panel info and viability by city/state.
If it's a solar heating panel, add insulation around it. If it's a solar electric panel, chill it in some manner, like with a fan, mist of water, etc. Electric panels are generally more efficient when cold.
