Recent progress in photovoltaic concentrator module technology

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:7079643

Richards, E H; Chamberlin, J L; Boes, E C

Significant progress is continuing in the development of photovoltaic (PV) concentrator technology. New record cell and module efficiencies have been achieved, and improvements in cells, cell assemblies, and modules are increasing reliability and decreasing cost. The number of firms actively pursuing PV concentrator module technology has increased substantially in the last three years. Two new concentrator systems were installed last year, and we are likely to see more in the near future. This paper describes the most significant developments of the last two years, including descriptions of PV concentrator module development and reliability activities, advances in concentrator cell technology, the new PV concentrator array installations, a new Concentrator Initiative Program, and results of the latest costing study. 26 refs., 9 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/CE
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 7079643
• Report Number(s): SAND-89-2987C; CONF-900315--2; ON: DE90009007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
ARSENIC
CONTROL
CRACKS
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
FUNCTIONS
GALLIUM
INSTALLATION
IRRADIATION
MATERIALS
METALS
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
OPTIMIZATION
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PLANNING
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
QUALITY CONTROL
RELIABILITY
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SEMIMETALS
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SPECIFICATIONS
STRENGTH FUNCTIONS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT