Development of the SEA Corporation Powergrid{trademark} photovoltaic concentrator
- Photovoltaics International, LLC, Sunnyvale, CA (United States)
This report covers the three phase effort to bring the SEA Corporation`s Powergrid{trademark} from the concept stage to pilot production. The three phases of this contract covered component development, prototype module development, and pilot line production. The Powergrid is a photovoltaic concentrator that generates direct current electricity directly from sunlight using a linear Fresnel lens. Analysis has shown that the Powergrid has the potential to be very low cost in volume production. Before the start of the project, only proof of concept demonstrations of the components had been completed. During the project, SEA Corporation developed a low cost extruded Fresnel lens, a low cost receiver assembly using one sun type cells, a low cost plastic module housing, a single axis tracking system and frame structure, and pilot production equipment and techniques. In addition, an 800 kW/yr pilot production rate was demonstrated and two 40 kW systems were manufactured and installed.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Washington, DC (United States); Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States); California Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, Sacramento, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 654068
- Report Number(s):
- SAND--98-0208; ON: DE98004403; BR: EB2203000
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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