Optimizing Your Solar panel

I wanted to get the most out of my panel and noticed that it was rarely working at maximum output. I recently got a DC refrigerator and realized I'd need three more panels to run it straight off my array.
While mirrors are common for passive photovoltaic systems and parabolic reflectors for solar heaters,I haven't noticed mirrors employed for active systems. Frisnell lenses are used to magnify sunlight on cells, but I didn't have any. It occurred to me to reflect beams of light onto my panel from the sides with mirrors. On cloudy days I could get much better performance from my panel with two mirrors set up as above. I still didn't max out my panel, but maybe with more mirrors I can. My testing equipment isn't that great, but I'm getting a much bigger reading.
Does your panel totally stop working on cloudy days? Does a small bit of shade keep your whole panel from working? If so, your panel is shade-intolerant. I'm using soft panels. They have no glass glazing, are flexible, unbreakable, and lightweight. They have bypass diodes between every cell, which makes them the only commercial module that is shade tolerant. Nor do they whimp out at high temperatures. Mail order is cheapest.
Basically, I spent a few dollars on cracked, broken mirrors at the thrift store and got the equivalent of a couple hundred dollars more solar panels (on a cloudy day).

Powerfilm R15-300 Rollable Solar Panel - $ 98.47 This 300 mah (approx 5 watt) solar panel comes with a cable that can connect to a battery or various other devices. The internal batteries of your wireless electronics can be charged by connecting the PowerFilm® Rollable Solar Panel to your device's 12V cigarette lighter adapter by using the optional (not included) RA-2 Female Cigarette Lighter Adapter is required for your solar panel.