Concentrating Light On Solar Panels

Concentrated solar power also known as concentrating solar power or concentrating solar thermal power works in a similar way conceptually.

Concentrating light on solar panels.

At a csp installation mirrors reflect the sun to a focal point. Csp technology produces electricity by concentrating and harnessing solar thermal energy using mirrors. Csp plants generate electric power by using mirrors to concentrate focus the sun s energy and convert it. Concentrating light however requires direct sunlight rather than diffuse light limiting this technology to clear sunny locations.

This can be done by using optical light collectors such as lenses or mirrors. Concentrating solar power plants also cre ate two and a half times as many skilled jobs as traditional plants. Despite having been researched since the 1970s it has only now entered the solar electricity sector as a viable alternative. Based on the principal that a solar cell receiving more light energy will produce more electricity concentrating photovoltaic solar panels simply involve a method usually using a lens or mirrors to concentrate more sunlight onto a photovoltaic cell.

Csp vs pv technologies. Electricity is generated when the concentrated light is converted to heat solar thermal energy which drives a heat engine usually a steam turbine connected to an electrical power. The cpv collect light from a larger area and concentrate it to a smaller area solar cell. It also means that in most instances tracking is required.

Concentrator photovoltaics cpv also known as concentration photovoltaics is a photovoltaic technology that generates electricity from sunlight. Light concentration while photo voltaic panels are the most appropriate method for capturing light energy in domestic solar power installations for larger scale systems light is usually concentrated to produce heat which in turn is used to generate electricity. The pv systems that use concentrated light are called concentrating photovoltaics cpv. Concentrated solar thermal systems csp are not the same as photovoltaic panels.

Csp technology utilizes focused sunlight. Concentrating solar collectors use mirrors and lenses to con. There are three main systems in use. Csp systems concentrate radiation of the sun to heat a liquid substance which is then used to drive a heat engine and drive an electric generator.

Types of systems unlike solar photovoltaic cells which use light to produce electricity concentrat ing solar power systems generate electric ity with heat. Unlike conventional photovoltaic systems it uses lenses or curved mirrors to focus sunlight onto small highly efficient multi junction mj solar cells in addition cpv systems often use solar trackers and sometimes a cooling system to further. Here in we review basic solar energy facts of competing solar technologies csp vs pv.