PV Gap

Cheryl Said:

Type of solar power that uses mirors to concentrate the sun's heat?

We Answered:

Solar furnace...that's got to be it.

Jenny Said:

what is the most efficient type of solar power?

We Answered:

If you are talking strictly making electricity from solar, then a concentrating solar power (CSP) solution is far more efficient than a silicon based solar panel. If you are talking bigger picture, solar water heating and solar air heating are far more efficient than any form of solar electricity.

Crystal Said:

Solar Power Q.: Why don't they put magnifying glasses in front of solar paneling to concentrate the energy?

We Answered:

first, one might note that using a magnifying glass does not increase the solar energy.
it only moves it to a different place.
the question then would be, is a solar panel more effective it the light is concentrated, or is it the same as if it were spread out normally.
and at this point, i know of no solar cells that benefit from having the light concentrated.

there are large industrial solar arrays that do concentrate sunlight.
but they have movable mirrors that accomplish that task, and thus allow the use of much smaller solar panels (as distinguished from the mirrors.)
what that does it allow use of much less expensive mirrors, rather than comparatively more expensive solar chips.

the sun keeps moving, so the "hot spot" also keeps moving.
to use such a thing on your house, you'd either have to move the magnifying glass, or the solar chip, or leave most of the chip with no light falling on it.
the simple solution is just have the solar panel that you can buy.