Concentrating Regular PV's

I would not try to concentrate light/heat on pv modules.  Not only would the heat diminish performance, but the power required to do active cooling would create a net loss. 

In addition, this would not meet any electric and or fire code.

If it did have the desired effect, the modules' output could possibly exceed their series fuse ratings and burn themselves out.

I would strongly suggest not rigging up home-made concentrators for off the shelf pv. 

james - Alt-E staff

Bob, since you are in Maine, keeping the panels cool is probably not a problem. Using reflectors to increase light input is a good idea and cheaper than tracking devices. Most calculations regarding solar gain take into account reflection. Make your design something like a solar box cooker and you should be golden....

To, Tom M.
 I am curious about your statement of
 "Most calculations regarding solar gain take into account reflection."
When I read "solar gain" in this forinstance it sounds kinda broad reaching.
How many calculations are there regarding solar gain in regard to "off the shelf" PV module source circuit, current carrying conductor sizing with mirrors for added reflection?

It would be interesting to know before hand the anticipated amperage of a PV module in regard to its rated Isc along with the 156% correction factor and more importantly, the possibility of increased amperage caused by adding mirrors.
 
For example: In my previous example I used an Isc of 7.5 amps with the 156% correction factor for reasons such as; below freezing temperatures and/or snow reflection and/or edge of cloud effect and/or the equivalent of 1,000 watts per square meter of natural sunlight,
but not mirrors.
Lets say all of those things come into effect (by some strange miracle) and indeed the PV module is producing 11.7 amps. How much more amperage would adding mirrors cause?
In other words, could the wire size handle the extra amperage of all these possibilities???

Its noon time. There is a foot of snow on everything (except the PV module.) There is a hole in the ozone layer. The sky is clear except for that one lonely could of a certain kind. You have mirrors around the PV module and its charging a nearly dead battery.
All I am saying is, there are possibilities and probabilities. Which one do you plan for.

Thomas, hopefully you are aware of heliostats (mirrors) that are used in large scale solar furnaces. Basically they reflect and focus light on a target. The idea that Bob has would basically increase the incident lighting on the panel. Direct sunlight is the best, so when the sun starts changing it's angle, the mirrors would reflect some of this light onto the panel thus giving the sense of getting more sunlight over a given day.
 As far as calculations, reflectivity is usually accounted for if it is available. This is why I always tell customers that a ground installation is always better than a roof installation. Then you can take advantage of this reflective energy, change the angles of the panels for more direct gain, and not to mention reduction in installation and maintenance costs.