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U.S. Department of Energy
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Photovoltaic concentrators: recent developments

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5632699
We now have performance and reliability data on several PV concentrator array fields. The 3 fields which use Fresnel lense concentrators are operating very well, with typical field operating efficiencies of 8 to 10% and no serious power degradation to report. Three achievements in the area of module research are reported. Intersol Power has developed commercial modules whose peak (28/sup 0/C cell temperature, 800 W/m/sup 2/) conversion efficiency is above 15%. Sandia has fabricated a 200X experimental module using Si cells that is likely to have a peak efficiency of 16.5% (individual lense-cell units have efficiencies between 16.5 and 17%). Lastly, we have tested Varian's passively cooled 1000X GaAs module at 17% peak efficiency. This paper also reports the results of 2 recent studies. The first is a comprehensive study of the effects of real solar spectral variations on the annual performance of 2-cell multijunction devices. The second compares the cost-effectiveness of future concentrator module technologies using Si, GaAs, and AlGaAs/Si multi-junction concentrator cells.
Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
5632699
Report Number(s):
SAND-83-2219C; CONF-831028-1; ON: DE84001641
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English