Research and Development of an Innovative Inflated Medium Concentrating PV Module for Achieving an Installed PV Module Cost of $0.50/W Before 2020

Cool Earth Solar (CES) is developing a Medium Concentrating Photovoltaic (MCPV) system that can achieve the Department of Energy SunShot Initiatives goals of solar systems that install for $1/Watt and have a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of less than 6 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). CES expects to achieve these targets well before the SunShot deadline of 2020, thus providing inexpensive clean energy to the public at significant scale. Phase I will focus on the development, integration, and performance testing of a sub-scale MCPV module capable of concentrating the sun 15 to 25x. The module will use high-efficiency solar cells that cost hundreds of times less than multi- junction solar cells. The goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of 22.5% or greater module efficiency using CES unique concentrating inflated film optic. Phase II will bring the technology to the brink of commercialization by establishing commercial-level manufacturing for the optic and creating an integrated system with system efficiencies of 22.5%. The system will operate outdoors unattended for months at a time and produce clean electricity for decades. The MCPV system proposed by CES would benefit the utility sector, the independent power commercial sector, and ultimately the public, by reducing the cost of solar and making solar energy an economically viable alternative to fossil- fuel energy production and other PV technologies. Cool Earth Solars technology enables an LCOE of $0.06/kWh with very little capital expenses, unlike many other CPV companies. This technology produces grid-parity pricing and will scale more quickly than traditional panel manufacturing, due to the use of inexpensive and plentiful materials. End result: a clean, renewable energy solution that meets increasing U.S. energy demands.