Status of the US Department of Energy Photovoltaic Concentrator Development Project
The overall objective of this project is to develop a photovoltaic concentrator technology which results in low-cost, long-life photovoltaic arrays at a price of less than $0.50 per peak watt by 1986. The general approach is to identify and develop those concentrator concepts which have the highest potential for low-cost and long-life by supporting technology and increasing solar array production capability. The principal criterion is to develop concentrating arrays that provide the lowest life cycle energy cost. The work that DOE is funding in the areas of concentrator cells, concentrator modules and complete arrays is surveyed. Highlights of work done to date in cell development include 18 to 20% efficient silicon cells and 28.5% efficient PV cell assemblies using GaAlAs and Si cells in conjunction with spectral splitting. In the area of concentrator modules a number of different types have been fabricated and evaluated. These include Fresnel lens modules, actively and passively cooled parabolic trough designs, and parabolic dish units. Full scale 10 kW arrays including a Fresnel lens design and a passively cooled off-axis parabolic trough design are being fabricated and tested. The results of evaluating these various designs in regard to their ability to produce cost effective energy will be presented.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5980346
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-78-2187C; CONF-790457-2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
COST
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
EVALUATION
FABRICATION
FRESNEL LENS
GALLIUM ARSENIDE SOLAR CELLS
LENSES
LIFE-CYCLE COST
PARABOLIC COLLECTORS
PARABOLIC DISH COLLECTORS
PARABOLIC TROUGH COLLECTORS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS