Increasing the Output Power and Efficiency of Solar Panel by Using Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) and Low Cost Solar Tracker

Abstract

Research shows that the total solar energy received within one hour on the earth exceeds the total energy spent in a whole year. Photo-voltaic (PV) is one the most adopted mode of converting solar energy into electrical energy but due to high cost and low efficiency, it has shown low acceptance in developing countries especially in Africa. Therefore, there is a need to improve the efficiency and reduce the cost per unit output by improving the performance of PV module system. Various researches have been done on this matter but none is focusing on making this technology available in developing countries due the cost of solutions being offered. In this research work, it focuses on providing a cheap and efficiency solution by using low cost mirrors, lens, light focusing concentrators and a light tracking system.