What is the most common W/m^2 a solar panel can receive before overheat?

Question

I was asking myself if I could concentrate solar rays with a spherical mirror and put the panel on the focal point rather than buying many panels to cover the area.

Thanks

Answer 1

Hard to say, and the alternative isn't economically viable.  Mirrors to increase power density are only effective if motor driven -- which makes them more expensive than just adding more panels.

Answer 2

Mister Solar sells a kit not quite 1 m^2, exactly 0.92 m^2 and it has an output of 110Wp which is their best.

For 1 m^2 110 /.92 = 120 Wp, approx 12%

See this chart on right for the efficiency:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell#...