Concentrator PV Receiver Based on Crystalline Si Cells

The emerging concentration photovoltaic (CPV) technology has a broadly recognized potential in reducing the cost of electric power generation from sunlight. However, the low- and mid-concentration CPV has suffered from inherent limitations of traditional optics and a lack of suitable receiver technology. This project strives to overcome these limitations by utilizing the novel Slat-Array Concentrator, which provides a highly uniform concentrated flux, and developing a low-cost, linear PV receiver that fully conforms to the concentrator design. The new receiver will be based on inexpensive, off-the-shelf crystalline silicon (Si) cells, rather than on highly specialized and costly concentrator cells that are employed in conventional CPV designs. Phase I will perform a design study, optical and thermal modeling, and on-the-sun experiments, and then fabricate and test a pilot-prototype concentrator. An integrated CPV module will be developed in Phase II. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The new concentrator PV module should enable the power output from conventional Si cells to be boosted by a factor of 20, while avoiding cell overheating and performance degradation due to the so called ¿hot spots¿ inherent to competing designs. In turn the new design would enable the costs associated with electricity generation to be reduced, thereby contributing to the national goals of securing energy independence, reducing carbon emissions, and generating clean renewable energy.