Get 4X The Power From Your Solar Panels! - TI Sunday

I'm a electric engineering teacher. Your demonstrations, classes and explanations are one of the best lectures I ever saw. My congratulations for all your dedication. And greetings from Brazil.

Yeah this always seems like a good idea with initial testing. But keep in mind that cell degradation increases dramatically when cell temp is increased. These panels are designed to work at the temperatures reached without reflectors. And connected to a load. Even leaving a panel out in the desert, open circuit, will be at a higher temperature than they are designed to work. Bifacial panels are actually designed to work at higher temps and having a reflector on the back is great. And you will have normal cell degradation rates. Just ensure that there is convective flow under them. Bifacial panels may have a different temperature coefficient, but they still have reduced output at higher temperatures (as do all solar cells!). So lifting them off the mounting surface at least 3 feet is recommended from most sources. I think reflectors are fantastic for mobile systems that are not outside 365 days a year, and/or if weight is an issue. You can become very creative by making lightweight reflectors. A roll up reflector and certain types of flex panels can work together in this way. Fun video! Love your content. Been watching for years.

I love people with a practical approach rather than bookish knowledge. Thank you Sir

I like the reflector design for cloudy days great idea.

I've tried similar methods and, yes, it works, and it works great! While the additional heat does degrade them a bit quicker, you won't notice because they will be gone on the first windy day. A similar panel, on an easel in the yard, became an airplane for a short while and made a not so graceful landing into the bed of a pickup truck two blocks over. Tethers are a good thing.

This teacher is a college professor? He knows more than anyone I've heard, he knows his tech. Excellent explanations in video on increasing efficiency in solar panels.😊

Nice setup. Note that with reflectors of a similar area as the panel, the most you can increase irradiance is by 1x per reflector. This is because we're simply reflecting the rays from one adjacent area to the panel. The increase is actually less, because either the angled reflector or the panel are at an angle that is not perpendicular to the incident rays. So two reflectors at an optimal angle can give up to 3x the total output of a single panel at an optimal angle. Achieving 4x or more will require larger or more reflectors. Still, it's a good idea given that the reflectors cost and weigh less than adding another panel or getting higher efficiency panels. edit- Note the voltage at the single panel is low, about 14V. The optimal voltage probably doesn't change much with irradiance, but the optimal load does. That's what maximium power point tracking controllers take care of. In this case it's likely the panel would generate more power when presented a more optimal load.

Just beautiful. Elegant, cost effective, efficient.. Its as close to perfect as is feesible. Thank you for sharing this, this kind of mindful yet simple upgrade is just SO important to be aware of. I'm currently putting my own version down in tech drawing and I cannot wait to build it. Do you ever make videos that aren't the actual best thing ever? For real, I'm transfixed. I'd love to watch you work.

Another interesting advantage of this setup is reducing the effect shadows have on solar panels (as made clear by the effect those small branches had in cutting the power output almost in half of the unmodified solar panel) because now the panel is getting light from 3 seperate directions, which will contain different shadow patterns.

I'm a solar sales consultant working remote from Brazil. Your videos are the coolest!

Thinking about those silver emergency blankets, the ultra thin ones given out to marathon runners at the end of the race.

I enjoyed your demonstration of how to increase the solar energy. I’ve messed with this quite a bit, 10 yrs ago I used a magnifying glass on a smaller panel & it worked for a short time until it burned out that spot in the panel, then I tried mirrors & the mirrors work better, & didn’t shorten the length of the life of the panel. Although these were very small cells, all which was purchased at a dollar store. Just to see if it would work. I do like your design with it folding. I had a dream of these panels used on a huge scale,& after researching it found that in fact they are building super solar cell collectors. I am always open for learning more about solar & how to get as much power out of them, when others tell me it’s impossible in the area I live to collect enough power. I live in the Midwest. Either way, I’m very happy to have found your channel and learn more about ways to improve. Thank you!

This is something that I’ve been talking about trying for the last 5 years. Really excited to see someone that thinks the same and actually demonstrated it works. Really impressive.

The single axis tracking aspect of the placed mirrors (without moving the main body) is really a significant value addition to the system 👍

Nice to be back! Not heard from you in ages!

I live in Florida and the worst thing about being hit or "near miss" from a hurricane is the power outage. I have solar panels with two solar generators. I was thinking about getting more panel but this solves the output problem. Brilliant!!

Would love to see a long term test of this. Please set up and use two panels one standard and one with the reflectors long term and provide the data after each month. Consider adding a third to the testing with cooling to dissapate any extra heat. You make very great videos.

i've watched several of your video's with great pleasure you are highly skilled in both voice and mannerisms along with precise science, so as to leave me with zero questions.

11:59 there's the camera man! He won't die in this experiment 😂😂

Using 'using Stone knives, and bear skins' to increase the light on your panel.... To push the manufacturer stated specs and compensate for the reduced solar radiation available at your location. I love your channel :) Pardon my opening metaphor. One of my favorites :)