Solar power emerges as a pivotal tool in combating climate change, and researchers from the University of Ottawa have engineered an ingenious strategy to enhance its efficacy. Their innovative approach integrates artificial ground reflectors into solar systems, presenting a straightforward yet potent augmentation.

Through this method, the researchers discovered a notable enhancement in energy production and efficiency within solar setups, rendering such projects more economically feasible. This breakthrough holds significant implications for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of incorporating artificial reflectors into solar energy initiatives.

Led by Professor Karin Hinzer, SUNLAB worked alongside NREL to conduct a study led by doctoral candidate Mandy Lewis, revealing that situating reflective surfaces directly beneath solar panels can amplify energy output by up to 4.5%.

Lewis emphasizes, "This research is pivotal for optimizing solar energy generation across diverse geographical landscapes. Furthermore, by enhancing power output per unit of land area, reflectors prove ideal for densely populated locales like urban centers, where space constraints pose challenges for solar installations."

Based on: https://www.sciencedaily.com/