Photovoltaic concentrator technology development
This paper summarizes the progress that has been made in the past 18 months in the area of photovoltaic concentrator technology development. A brief description of the status of two new photovoltaic concentrator power systems, the 300 kW ENTECH-3M-Austin system, and the single-pedestal Alpha Solarco system is given. Considerable progress in the area of photovoltaic concentrator module development is reported. The paper emphasizers those module development activities that have resulted in significantly higher conversion efficiencies or new module design concepts. The paper includes a brief discussion of the major gains in concentrator cell efficiencies, especially the increased efficiencies for multijunction cells, and their implications for the technology. Also, discussed are the most significant recent developments for PV concentrator components, including refractive secondary optical elements and a self-contained, electronic, array-tracking controller. Finally, the paper includes a discussion of the outlook for markets and sales for photovoltaic concentrators and a brief description of a new program in the United States, the Photovoltaic Concentrator Initiative. 12 refs., 4 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/CE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6909974
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-89-2454C; CONF-900542--6; ON: DE90011479
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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140300 -- Solar Energy-- Economic
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140600 -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ECONOMICS
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
EQUIPMENT
FEDERAL REGION IX
FEDERAL REGION VI
FRESNEL LENS
FRESNEL REFLECTORS
GALLIUM ARSENIDE SOLAR CELLS
HELIOSTATS
INSTALLATION
LENSES
MANUFACTURING
MARKETING
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MIRRORS
NEVADA
NORTH AMERICA
OPERATION
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLAR REFLECTORS
SOLAR TRACKING
SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEMS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TEXAS
USA