Concentrated Photo Voltaics
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Concentrating Photovoltaics is a term given to the discipline of direct electricity production using photovoltaic surfaces receiving concentrated sunlight. Solar concentrators of all varieties may be used for this, and typically these will need sun trackers to keep the focal point upon the cell as the sun moves across the sky. It is generally accepted that CPV will give greater benefits in sunny climates than in cloudy ones. The use of CPV systems has gained momentum due to far smaller area of photovoltaic cells that is required, and the recent advances in non-silicon solar cells, which have reached 40.7% conversion efficiency[1]. Commercial vendor Concentrix has published a module efficiency of 23.5%.
[edit] Low Concentration CPV
Low concentration CPV are systems with a solar concentration 2-10 suns. Conventional silicon solar cells are used, and these do not need to be actively cooled. Some of these systems have optics with a high acceptance angle and do not need trackers.
[edit] High Concentration CPV
These systems require heatsinks or active cooling as sunlight is concentrated from 10 to over 1000 suns. Silicon solar cells must be actively cooled to avoid destruction, and to manage severe performance losses. Gallium arsenide solar cells are currently favoured, as they tolerate operating temperatures above 200°C, and suffer smaller performance losses at high temperatures. Space-rated GaAs solar cells are not suitable, as the high current density encountered (up to 8 amperes per cm2) requires a specialised track layout.
[edit] References
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