10-kilowatt photovoltaic concentrator array fabrication
The PCA is based on the use of an acrylic Fresnel lens to concentrate sunlight on high intensity solar cells. The array with modified heat sinks was fabricated to determine the impact on electrical performance due to lower weight heat sinks and reduced thermal dissipation surfaces. The array with modified heat sinks was fabricated to determine the impact on electrical performance due to lower weight heat sinks and reduced thermal dissipation surfaces. The array fabrication proceeded with normal problems expected of preproduction prototypes. Three major problems occurred in the areas of the dimensional adequacy of the environmental housing for the Photovoltaic Modules, the cell/substrate assembly and the azimuth drive structural integrity. The cost optimization study identified a new lower weight heat sink design that would reduce the heat sink weight by 50% and the array cost by approximately 3.1% for a loss of only 7% in annularized electrical power generation. The production cost estimate provides an indicator that an overall 87% learning curve can be achieved and the cost of the 5000th unit could be $5.30 per watt in 1979 dollars. System level costs were also developed to project a busbar energy cost for a 10 MW system produced at the 500th unit. This system would provide energy at 24 cents per kilowatt hour average over a 30 year projected life. As a result of wind tunnel tests and the fabrication experience, an array has been designed for production. The key elements of the redesign are discussed. (MHR)
- Research Organization:
- Martin Marietta Aerospace, Denver, CO (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6740303
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-80-7062
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140600* -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
COST
DESIGN
DYNAMIC LOADS
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
FRESNEL LENS
LENSES
OPTIMIZATION
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
POWER RANGE 1-10 KW
PRODUCTION
RELIABILITY
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
TESTING
WIND LOADS