Can you amplify photovoltaic cell production with a magnifying glass between the cell and the sun?
When I was a boy, I burned leaves with a magnifying glass by making the sun’s ray form the smallest circle possible on a leaf.
When I was a boy, I burned leaves with a magnifying glass by making the sun’s ray form the smallest circle possible on a leaf.
ontheplains
on November 30th, -0001
Yes, if you had a magnifying glass which was much larger than the photovoltaic cell, you’d be focusing more energy on it than it would get just from direct sunlight, and the power would go up. You could also increase the output with mirrors reflecting a wider area of sunlight onto the p.v. cells.
However, it would raise the temperature of the cells and they tend to be less efficient when they get hot. Also, if you exceed the design specifications, you’d run the risk of damaging the cells, either from excessive electrical current or excessive heat, or both.