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Question by Megan: What do they mean by “magnify” sunlight?
This article about a solar power startup talks a lot about “magnifying” sunlight. What do they mean?

“Start-up: Affordable solar power possible in a year”, USA Today, 4/28/08: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/2008-04-28-solar-power-sunrgi_N.htm?csp=1

This company, they say, “relies on lenses to magnify sunlight 2,000 times, letting it produce as much electricity as standard panels with a far smaller system” and “Other concentrated photovoltaic makers magnify sunlight about 500 times.” Is this some new solar-power-specific sense of the word magnify? None of the senses in my dictionary fit, and I worry how unthoughtful people might read this.

I’m half curious what concentrated p.v. is and how lenses are helpful and I’m 80% curious whether this is bad terminology used in the solar community or a confused writer. Looking for a serious explanation of either or both.

Best answer:

Answer by Archer Christifori
This is the dirty little secret of solar power – after billions of dollars of development it still cannot produce enough power to warrant the investment.
Magnifying sunlight would to use a focusing lens to bend the light waves to a single point of focus.

Current technology requires that light rays be focused onto a small area of cells to produce electricity… solar cells are very inefficient.

What do you think? Answer below!

How Solar Panels & Solar Electricity Works

Solar Electricity

When people think about alternative or renewable energy, the first image that comes to mind is often large blue or black solar panels on rooftops or portable highway signs that have a small panel attached. These solar panels, also known as photovoltaic modules (or PV modules), convert sunlight into electricity, and they have been the backbone of renewable energy for decades. The Photovoltaic Effect (how sunlight is converted into electrical energy) was discovered over a hundred years ago! Yet widespread implementation of this technology has been very gradual. Only in very recent years has photovoltaics gained wide popularity as an alternative way to produce electricity.

In 1958 the first PV modules were launched into space to power satellites. Even today, solar power is the primary source of energy at the International Space Station. On Earth as well, PV has traditionally been used in areas where there is no practical source of electrical power but there is abundant sunshine. Solar panels are often used for remote applications: like powering cabins, RVs, boats and small electronics when grid service is not available. Recently, “grid-tie” solar electric systems have started gaining momentum as a cost-effective way to incorporate solar electricity into our everyday lives. Now we can take advantage of available solar energy while still enjoying the safety net of the utility grid.

How Solar Panels or PV Modules Work

In very basic terms, a solar panel (PV module) is a device that will produce a flow of electricity under sunlight. This electricity can be used to charge batteries and, with the aid of an inverter, it can power normal household electrical devices, or “loads”. PV modules can also be used in systems without batteries in grid-tie systems.

Most solar panels (properly called “solar modules”) are framed in aluminum, topped with tempered glass, and sealed by a waterproof backing. Sandwiched between the glass and backing layers are the photo-reactive cells themselves, often made of silicon. On the back of the module is a junction box that may or may not have two cables coming out of it. If the junction box has no cables, it can be opened to access the electrical terminals where wires can be attached to conduct the generated electricity away from the module. If there are cables already in place, the junction box is usually sealed and not user-accessible. Sealed junction boxes are more common.

Portable Solar Power

There are lots of ways to make use of  solar electricity. One of the simplest is to charge small electronic devices, like cell phones and music players, with lightweight, portable PV modules. These small battery-charging solar panels are even being integrated into backpacks and clothing for maximum convenience. Solar panels can be used individually or wired together to form a solar array.

For larger electrical loads, there are two main types of systems for providing electrical power to homes, cabins and offices, etc: stand-alone battery based systems (also called ‘off-grid’ systems) and grid-tied systems (also known as utility-interactive). You’ll want to decide which system is best for your needs by reading more about both.

Solar Cell Technology

There are several technologies used to make solar cells, the building blocks of panels. The main types currently on the market are:

Monocrystalline Solar Panels Monocrystalline solar panels are often the most expensive due to the manufacturing process, which uses large amounts of highly purified silicon and a great deal of energy. Monocrystalline solar cells are about 13-16% efficient at converting sunlight to electricity.

Polycrystalline Solar Panels (aka multicrystalline) Polycrystalline cell efficiencies range between 11-14% so solar panels are slightly less expensive than monocrystalline ones on a price-per-Watt basis.

String Ribbon Solar Panels String ribbon solar panels use less silicon in the cell manufacturing process than the other crystalline types and achieves efficiencies in the 12-14% range.

Amorphous Solar and Thin Film Solar Panels ProductCategory SolPan Amorphous solar panels, or thin-film amorphous silicon, A-si, are not constructed from individual solar cells, but are made by depositing a photo-sensitive compound onto a substrate. While these solar panels have lower efficiencies, (usually 7-10%), they offer certain advantages. They can often be used in hotter climates since they suffer less power loss than other types under hot conditions. Additionally, many models of the the amorphous technology do not use the typical “glass sandwich” construction, allowing for the creation of flexible solar panels which are also very durable.

CIGS Solar Panels The CIGS technology, or Copper Indium Gallium di-Selenide, uses no silicon at all, and can be made into panels with or without discrete cells. Often this technology is used to make foldable solar panels.

There are also hybrid solar panels which use both crystalline and thin-film technologies to increase energy capture; these modules boast efficiencies up to 19%. Researchers are still working on lower-cost, higher-efficiency alternatives, but for the foreseeable future, these five types represent what is commercially available.

Related Solar Electricity Articles

Tips For Buying Used Solar Panels

Going green is not always the least expensive solution for any family in the present challenging economic reality. In truth, essentially the most costly part of moving to solar power is in the initial phase of buying and setting up your panels.

Even so, you’ll find potential ways of saving money while becoming environmentally friendly such as selecting used solar panels, although this solution does include the warning of being prepared to roll up your sleeves. Your most beneficial option to minimize the cost would be to hire a professional, at least for the installation.

However, expertise isn’t a requirement when purchasing used solar panels, but it can help to have a guideline whenever making this type of a purchase. Be conscious that technology gets better over time and solar panel utilization is comparatively new. In fact, a number of of the earlier panels are still being used at present. The very first thing you’ll notice is that older panels tend to be bigger than more recent panels when evaluating wattage, however when you have the available area, it will be a lower cost option for becoming environmentally friendly.

Make sure not to ignore visible damage, for example broken glass, and missing or damaged connections. Only you can decide your level of skill, and if you are ready to attempt repairs such as soldering then you should really be able to repair broken connections making use of a soldering iron using 2% silver.

The most important aspect is the output measurement that you receive using your digital meter; make sure to evaluate in complete sunlight. To help test out used solar panels, measure over the plus and minus terminals of each solar panel. Just after setting your digital meter to measure DC voltage, a 12 volt solar panel needs to display around 21 volts in complete sunlight. Be aware that a battery is always essential for being able to store the solar energy and that will to some degree increase the initial cost.

Through the long haul, though, maintaining a photovoltaic panel is as basic as cleaning off the panels every two weeks to eliminate debris and there can be a bit of additional work needed in maintaining the battery. Before final set up, check that absolutely no shadows are thrown over the solar panels and that the system faces south using the proper tilt angle.

One additional factor of a developing technology is that demand pushes the repair and maintenance sector that goes with the technology. Becoming a handy individual does actually become important dependent on exactly where you are located.

Don’t forget to look into the tax credits supplied by state and federal government for additional financial savings for your principal dwelling that may contribute about 30% of the total cost. Check with your individual tax representative prior to purchase to get a realistic expectation of just how much you will have to pay up front, and whether your state gives you added reimbursement.

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