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
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1979 photovaltaic solar energy conference, West Berlin, F.R. Germany, 23 Apr 1979
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Photovoltaic concentrator technology development project. Sixth project integration meeting
Design and development of a 300-watt solar photovoltaic concentrator. Final report, May 17, 1976--November 30, 1977
Related Subjects
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
COST
DESIGN
FABRICATION
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
EFFICIENCY
EVALUATION
FRESNEL LENS
GALLIUM ARSENIDE SOLAR CELLS
LIFE-CYCLE COST
PARABOLIC DISH COLLECTORS
PARABOLIC TROUGH COLLECTORS
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
LENSES
PARABOLIC COLLECTORS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion