An analysis of the efficacy of low-scale concentrated photovoltaics

Abstract

The plausibility of low-concentrating flat-plate photovoltaics as a viable small-scale energy generation system was explored. A flat-plate photovoltaic panel utilizing an inexpensive parabolic reflector to increase the solar radiation incident on the panel was constructed. The concentration system's performance was compared to a solitary flat-plate photovoltaic panel with no concentration. The concentrating panel experienced a maximum of seven times and averaged three to four times the power output of the flat system. It is projected that similar systems could provide a less costly alternative to consumer scale solar panels that use expensive efficiency-increasing tracking systems.