Impact of Reflectors on Photovoltaic Panel Performance

Abstract

A photovoltaic panel (PV) is a practical method to produce electrical energy from solar light. The solar conversion efficiency of PV panels is still low, improving it wills makes great differs of PV panels used. However, the efficiency of PV panels can be improved in many ways. One of them is to connect reflectors with PV panel. So, the aim of this research is to study the effect of three types flat reflectors (Nickel Chrome reflector; NCR, Aluminum sheet reflector; ASR and reflective glass reflector, RGR) connected with both sides of PV panels at four different tilts angles (30, 45, 60 and 90 o) on the intensity of solar radiation falling per different periods of times and to determine the impact and performance of the PV panels output. Generally, the maximum daily average of solar radiation flux incident on the PV panel (from 8:00 to 17:30) was 828.93 W.h/m 2 for NCR at a reflector angle of 30 o (RA 30) and the corresponded percentage increment compared to the control panel was 24.98 %. Also, at zero shade periods (ZSP) from 10:30 to 13:30, the maximum daily average value of total power was 0.758 kW, which represents 74.61 % of the daily total power for NCR at RA 90. The highest PV panel temperature was recorded for PV panel with NCR at RA 90. The rate of increase in the power resulting from the reflectors is much greater than the amount of loss of power resulting from the rise in temperature.