Booster reflectors for PV modules in Sweden

The performance of photovoltaic medals with planar booster reflectors with variable length and tilts for. Swedish conditions is analysed. It is shown that a stationary flat booster reflector can increase the annual output of the module in the order of 20-25%, provided that the influence of short lat eral length of the reflector and temperature I ise can be limited, The prin cipal difference between using modules with crystalline silicon cells or th in film modules is discussed and numerical examples together with experimen tal results ave given, The electrical coupling of rows in a PV module and/o r the electrical coupling of modules in a PV installation are important whe n booster reflectors ave used, If horizontal vows of cells in a module ave parallel coupled rite module better utilises radiation reflected from a boo ster reflector in front than if the rows are coupled in series, Low serial resistance, low module temperature and small edge effects, i.e. not too sho rt lateral length of the booster reflector, are important to achieve good p erformance of modules with booster reflectors. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wile y & Sons, Ltd.