- Reflect10 solar panel geometry increases daily energy production by 20%
- Cells capture more sunlight during low-angle hours and in cloudy conditions
- Silicon panel efficiency limits approaching – this is big news
Canadian startup Reflect10 has introduced a new photovoltaic (PV) module architecture that could significantly increase the amount of energy solar panels could produce, and it has nothing to do with maximum power.
Instead, the upgrade integrates light-reflecting geometry directly into the solar panel to reflect incoming sunlight multiple times, giving photons additional opportunities to hit the photovoltaic cells. By allowing for additional reflections and angles, this means solar panels can convert even more sunlight into electricity when the sun sets at lower angles.
While the whole concept already existed, it previously required exterior mirrors or motors, making installation more expensive. Various studies report improvements in energy production of between 11 and 57%.
The same panel, with the same power, could produce 20% more capacity
According to the company, this could lead to 20% higher average daily energy production than standard solar panels, with low-angle times like early morning and late afternoon generating up to 2.66 times more energy. The technology also promises to increase efficiency in diffuse light conditions, such as on cloudy days.
This upgrade also comes at an important time, as conventional silicon solar cells are rapidly approaching their theoretical efficiency ceiling, making it nearly impossible to generate additional electricity.
“These results represent a significant and immediate step forward at a time when the industry has faced a fundamental physical ceiling for decades,” said founder Louis Massicotte (via pv magazine).
According to the company, the global solar industry has seen an average growth of +0.18 percentage points in efficiency per year under real-world conditions since 1954, marking very slow progress.
Ultimately, Reflect10 increases panel efficiency not by increasing the efficiency of the cells itself, but rather by allowing more light to reach the cells. Ultimately, this means that a 500W panel, for example, could produce 500W of electricity more often, rather than being limited to less power due to unfavorable conditions, resulting in a higher total capacity (measured in kWh).
Proven photovoltaic technology that improves efficiency could address current restrictions
Although the test data comes primarily from optical simulations performed by the National Optical Institute of Canada, the company has also conducted proof-of-concept trials in the field to prove its effectiveness in Morocco and Canada.
An independent scientific study carried out by the Photovoltaic Institute of Île-de-France (IPVF) also notes the potential of this technology to increase and fill grid deficits over a wider range of time, and not just during peak sunlight hours.
“By increasing production at the start and end of the day, the technology could help better meet periods of peak electricity demand while reducing the concentration of production around the midday solar peak,” commented Pere Roca i Cabarrocas, IPVF research director.
The company is currently pursuing three international applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty ahead of its public presentation in Paris.
Reflect10 itself has no plans to make panels with the new light-reflecting geometry. Instead, the Canadian company is offering 50 non-exclusive licenses for its intellectual property to module manufacturers.
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