Researchers at the University of Ottawa have developed a way to increase the efficiency of solar panels by adding a reflective surface underneath the panels. This simple technique allows energy output to be increased by 4.5%, making solar power more economical to run in a variety of locations.The study was published in the journal Advances in solar power.
Solar energy is a vital asset in fighting climate change. The researchers' innovative approach includes the integration of artificial ground reflectors, a direct yet powerful enhancement.
The researchers found that adding these reflectors to photovoltaic installations could increase the system's energy output and efficiency, making such projects more viable from an economic standpoint. discovered. This finding is important when weighing the advantages and disadvantages of using artificial reflectors in solar energy projects.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, a world leader in clean energy research, development, and deployment, has partnered with SUNLAB at the University of Ottawa under the direction of Karin Hinzer, professor of electrical engineering, who is also associate director. did. Faculty of Engineering Research. Study how reflective ground coverings affect solar energy output.
Mandy Lewis, an electrical engineering doctoral candidate from Golden, Colorado, conducted the study. The results showed that covering solar panels with a reflective surface can increase the panel's energy output by as much as 4.5%.
We found that highly reflective white surfaces can increase solar power output. To maximize this benefit, these reflectors should be placed directly below the solar panels, not between the rows..
Mandy Lewis, lead study author and doctoral candidate, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Ottawa
Unlocking the potential of solar power in Canada and beyond
These results are particularly noteworthy for Canada. In Canada, major cities such as Ottawa and Toronto experience snow for three to four months of the year, and 65% of the vast country experiences snow for more than half of the year. In these regions, bifacial solar systems have great potential when combined with high ground reflectivity. This discovery has implications around the world, as sandy deserts make up about 4 percent of Earth's total land area.
This research is important for maximizing solar energy production in geographically diverse locations. Additionally, because they generate more electricity per unit of land area, reflectors are ideal for densely populated areas such as urban centers where there is limited space to install solar power equipment..
Mandy Lewis, lead study author and doctoral candidate, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Ottawa
This study marks the start of a new international research partnership between the University of Ottawa and NREL. Funding for this project was provided by the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE), Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS), and the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). This highlights the value of teamwork in the development of renewable energy technologies.
Global impact in accelerating the clean energy transition
This research will significantly contribute to the global switch to emission-free energy sources. These results are particularly relevant to Canada and other cloud-growing countries, with cloudy Seattle seeing a 6.0% power increase and dry Tucson seeing a 2.6% power increase.
Reference magazines:
Lewis, R.M. other. (2024) Effect of size and position of artificial ground reflector on energy yield and economics of single-axis tracking bifacial solar power generation. Advances in solar power. doi.org/10.1002/pip.3811.
Source: https://www.uottawa.ca/en
