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Title: Performance of a prototype stationary catadioptric concentrating photovoltaic module

Abstract

A stationary catadioptric concentrating photovoltaic module with aperture area over 100 cm2, geometric concentration of 180x, and collection within 60 degrees of polar incidence was designed, prototyped, and characterized. The module performance followed modeling closely with a peak power conversion efficiency of 26% for direct irradiance. Tracking of the sun is accomplished via translational micro-tracking completely internal to the module, avoiding the cost and complexity of mechanical two-axis trackers that point towards the sun. This demonstrates the potential for concentrating photovoltaic modules with significantly higher efficiency than industry standard silicon photovoltaic modules that could be installed in stationary configurations on rooftops.

Authors:
; ; ; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Glint Photonics, Inc., Burligame, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E); California Energy Commission
OSTI Identifier:
1430152
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 1425350; OSTI ID: 1455117
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5900-71763
Journal ID: ISSN 1094-4087; OPEXFF
Grant/Contract Number:  
AR0000332; AR0000644; EPC14-040; AC36-08GO28308
Resource Type:
Journal Article: Published Article
Journal Name:
Optics Express
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Name: Optics Express Journal Volume: 26 Journal Issue: 10; Journal ID: ISSN 1094-4087
Publisher:
Optical Society of America
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY; stationary concentrating photovoltaics

Citation Formats

Lloyd, John, Pavilonis, Michael, Gladden, Christopher, Casper, Chadwick, Schneider, Kevin, McMahon, William, and Kozodoy, Peter. Performance of a prototype stationary catadioptric concentrating photovoltaic module. United States: N. p., 2018. Web. doi:10.1364/OE.26.00A413.
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Lloyd, John, Pavilonis, Michael, Gladden, Christopher, Casper, Chadwick, Schneider, Kevin, McMahon, William, & Kozodoy, Peter. Performance of a prototype stationary catadioptric concentrating photovoltaic module. United States. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.26.00A413
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Lloyd, John, Pavilonis, Michael, Gladden, Christopher, Casper, Chadwick, Schneider, Kevin, McMahon, William, and Kozodoy, Peter. 2018. "Performance of a prototype stationary catadioptric concentrating photovoltaic module". United States. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.26.00A413.
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@article{osti_1430152,
title = {Performance of a prototype stationary catadioptric concentrating photovoltaic module},
author = {Lloyd, John and Pavilonis, Michael and Gladden, Christopher and Casper, Chadwick and Schneider, Kevin and McMahon, William and Kozodoy, Peter},
abstractNote = {A stationary catadioptric concentrating photovoltaic module with aperture area over 100 cm2, geometric concentration of 180x, and collection within 60 degrees of polar incidence was designed, prototyped, and characterized. The module performance followed modeling closely with a peak power conversion efficiency of 26% for direct irradiance. Tracking of the sun is accomplished via translational micro-tracking completely internal to the module, avoiding the cost and complexity of mechanical two-axis trackers that point towards the sun. This demonstrates the potential for concentrating photovoltaic modules with significantly higher efficiency than industry standard silicon photovoltaic modules that could be installed in stationary configurations on rooftops.},
doi = {10.1364/OE.26.00A413},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1430152}, journal = {Optics Express},
issn = {1094-4087},
number = 10,
volume = 26,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Mar 28 00:00:00 EDT 2018},
month = {Wed Mar 28 00:00:00 EDT 2018}
}
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Journal Article:
Free Publicly Available Full Text
Publisher's Version of Record at https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.26.00A413
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Cited by: 6 works
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Works referenced in this record:

Optics for concentrating photovoltaics: Trends, limits and opportunities for materials and design
journal, July 2016

Leveraging scale effects to create next-generation photovoltaic systems through micro- and nanotechnologies
conference, May 2012

  • Nielson, Gregory N.; Okandan, Murat; Cruz-Campa, Jose Luis
  • Proceedings Volume 8373, Micro- and Nanotechnology Sensors, Systems, and Applications IV, Vol. 8373, Article No: 837317
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Two-axis solar tracking accomplished through small lateral translations
journal, January 2012

High-concentration planar microtracking photovoltaic system exceeding 30% efficiency
journal, July 2017

Analysis of perimeter recombination in the subcells of GaInP/GaAs/Ge triple-junction solar cells: Analysis of perimeter recombination
journal, April 2014

Photonic design principles for ultrahigh-efficiency photovoltaics
journal, February 2012

Wide-angle planar microtracking for quasi-static microcell concentrating photovoltaics
journal, February 2015

Solar cell efficiency tables (version 50)
journal, June 2017

  • Green, Martin A.; Hishikawa, Yoshihiro; Warta, Wilhelm
  • Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, Vol. 25, Issue 7
  • https://doi.org/10.1002/pip.2909
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    Works referencing / citing this record:

    Feature issue introduction: light, energy and the environment, 2017
    journal, January 2018

    Characterization of Core-Shell Spherical Lens for Microtracking Concentrator Photovoltaic System
    journal, September 2019

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