Photovoltaic concentrator technology development
This paper summarizes the progress that has been made in the past 18 months in the area of photovoltaic concentrator technology development. A brief description of the status of two new photovoltaic concentrator power systems, the 300 kW ENTECH-3M-Austin system, and the single-pedestal Alpha Solarco system is given. Considerable progress in the area of photovoltaic concentrator module development is reported. The paper emphasizers those module development activities that have resulted in significantly higher conversion efficiencies or new module design concepts. The paper includes a brief discussion of the major gains in concentrator cell efficiencies, especially the increased efficiencies for multijunction cells, and their implications for the technology. Also, discussed are the most significant recent developments for PV concentrator components, including refractive secondary optical elements and a self-contained, electronic, array-tracking controller. Finally, the paper includes a discussion of the outlook for markets and sales for photovoltaic concentrators and a brief description of a new program in the United States, the Photovoltaic Concentrator Initiative. 12 refs., 4 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/CE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6909974
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-89-2454C; CONF-900542-6; ON: DE90011479
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 21. Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers photovoltaic specialists conference, Kissimmee, FL (USA), 21-25 May 1990
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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