Status and assessment of photovoltaic concentrators

Conference · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Energy Technol. (Wash., D.C.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5540706

Arvizu, D E

Much progress has been made in concentrator technology. Today's concentrator systems are the most efficient of any photovoltaic approach because high efficiency cells can be used. Cell research progress continues at an impressive rate and concentrator cells currently hold record efficiencies in silicon, GaAs, and multijunction technologies. Module research is aimed at improving present designs and developing advanced module designs that use very high efficiency devices. Array development is directed at optimizing current tracking structures and incorporating new advances in electronics for tracking and control. System reliability issues are being given high priority and an aggressive concentrator reliability program has recently been implemented. Finally, in economic analyses of present and future photovoltaic technologies, concentrator systems not only offer a present day competitive photovoltaic alternative, but also appear to be able to provide the quickest and surest path to a long-range cost-effective photovoltaic option.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM
• OSTI ID: 5540706
• Report Number(s): CONF-860303-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Energy Technol. (Wash., D.C.); (United States) Journal Volume: 13
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CONVERSION
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY CONVERSION
EQUIPMENT
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERSION
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
POWER SUPPLIES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT