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

Question

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

Answer 1

burn a hole in the panel

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

It would disrupt the electron flow.

Answer 4

They do, but they don't use magnifying glasses as much as they use reflective surfaces that amplify and direct the power:

http://www.physorg.com/news130086323.htm...