Ridge or V Trough Solar Concentrator
Filed Under Concentrator, Homemade, Solar Panel, Solar Tracking, Sun Tracking |
A solar concentrator is a shiny surface that reflects sunlight on to a collector.
One type of concentrator is a ridge or V trough
In this diagram, the solar panel is 50mm wide, the angle of the reflector trough is
60 degrees and the reflector trough in 50mm. You can use the solar funnel
calculator to workout the angle. x being the solar panel, y being the reflector.
You can see light hitting the top of the reflector is angled down to the edge of the
solar panel. With this configuration you need a solar tracker, otherwise the
reflector trough will cast a shadow over the solar panel when the sun is angled
60 degrees or more from directly overhead.
Heat is the enemy of solar panels, so reflecting extra infra red light on the the panel
might shorten its life. Sitting the solar panel on a heat sink, perhaps a sheet of
aluminium with plenty of ventilation will extend the life of the panel.
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