PHOTOVOLTAIC CONCENTRATORS
Non imaging optical concentrators can also be used as part of photovoltaic
concentrators.
Such technology is known under the name CPV technology. In fact it is a combination
of high-efficiency solar cells with advanced concentrating optics to provide
high energy yield using just a very small area of solar cell in
comparison with non-concentrating photovoltaic systems.
CPV concentrators (courtesy: Amonix)
PHOTOVOLTAIC CONCENTRATORS CASE STUDIES
The Rockingham PV Trough Concentrator System
Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) have been developing
photovoltaic (PV) concentrator technology since 1995. Funding has come from a
number of sources, including Western Power from 1995 to 1997. In early 1998
Western Power joined a consortium with ANUTECH (the commercial arm of the ANU)
and Solahart to apply for federal government funding for a 20kW pre-production
system using the ANU technology. The Rockingham concentrator PV system was
constructed by ANU and Solahart and commenced in November 1999. The system was
connected to the public grid in July 2000.
| Name and location |
The Rockingham Photovoltaic Trough Concentrator System, Australia |
| PV system type |
PV grid-connected |
| Operates since |
2000 |
| Rated power |
20 kW, 40 receivers, 250 W each |
| Number of mirrors |
80 mirrors, 1,6 x 1,2 m each |
| Total PV area |
154 m2 (80 mirrors) |
| Module mounting |
Double axis tracking, computer controlled position |
TABLE 1: The Rockingham PV Trough Concentrator System, basic features
Concentrating Photovoltaic Power Plant, Dallas
In March 1995, the Texas Utility Electric Company installed a 100 kW photovoltaic
power plant at its new Energy Park in Dallas, Texas. The 100 kW plant consists of
four east-west rows of collector modules, each 104 m in length and containing 72
photovoltaic modules. The system is connected to the public grid via DC to AC
inverter and a transformer.
| Name and location |
Concentrating Power Plant, Texas Energy Park, Dallas, USA |
| PV system type |
PV grid-connected |
| Operates since |
1995 |
| Rated power |
100 kW |
| Concentrator type |
Fresnel lens |
| Number of modules |
288 modules, 4 rows with 72 modules each. Each module 430 Wp |
TABLE 2: Concentrating Photovoltaic Power Plant, Dallas, basic features
PHOTOVOLTAIC CONCENTRATORS WEB SITES
Concentrator systems
Amonix
- integrated high-concentration photovoltaic (IHCPV) systems. Since the
early-1990s, Amonix has field-tested several IHCPV generating systems throughout
the United States.
SolarTec
- SolarTec International AG focuses on Concentrating Photovoltaics (CPV),
as well as, worldwide planning, turnkey realization, and management of PV
power plants.
Website also available in:
SolFocus
- the company’s mission is to provide innovative solar energy solutions which
are competitive with fossil fuels. SolFocus has an expanding portfolio of products
and technologies including solar concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) systems,
intelligent tracking systems for CPV and flat panel PV systems.
Website also available in:
Optics, mirrors and materials for concentrators
Alanod
- Manufacturer of aluminium reflective sheets for different purposes. Part of
Alanod's portfolio are also mirrors for solar concentrators.
Website also available in:
Absolicon Solar Concentrator
- Absolicon´s main product focus is solar concentrators shaped as parabolic troughs.
Website also available in:
Edmund Optics
- Edmund Optics offers a variety of solar optical components supporting
photovoltaic technologies. From large Fresnel or glass condenser lenses to a
variety of cold coated optics,
many of our components have been used in photovoltaic applications for years.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Books
|
Leutz, R., Suzuki, A.:
Nonimaging Fresnel
Lenses: Design and Performance of Solar Concentrators 
(Springer Series in Optical Sciences); Springer, 2010, ISBN 978-3642075315.
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Winston, R., et al.:
Nonimaging
Optics; 
Academic Press, 2005, ISBN 978-0127597515.
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Chaves, J.:
Introduction to
Nonimaging Optics (Optical Science and Engineering); 
CRC Press; 2008, ISBN 978-1420054293.
|
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Luque, A.:
Concentrator
Photovoltaics (Springer Series in Optical Sciences); 
Springer, 2009, ISBN 978-3642088346.
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Reports
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C-Rating Project: Test, Rating and Specification of
PV Concentrator Components
and Systems Classification of PV concentrators; Project subsidised by the European Commission Directorate of Energy and Transport, 2001.
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Papers
|
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Klotz, F.H.: PV systems with V-trough concentration and passive tracking concept
and economic potential in Europe, Proc.13th European PV Solar Energy
Conference, Nice 23-27 October 1995, pp.1060-1063.
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Nann, S.: Potentials for tracking photovoltaic systems and V-troughs in moderate
climates, Solar Energy, Volume 45, 1991, pp.385-393.
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Nostell, P. et al.: Ageing of solar booster reflector materials,
Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 54, 1998, pp.235-246.
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Perers, B. et.al.: Intensity Distribution in the Plane From Structured Booster
Reflectors With Rolling Grooves and Corrugations, Solar Energy, Volume 53,
pp.215-226.
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Schissel, P. et al.: Silvered PMMA reflectors,
Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 33, 1994, pp.183-197.
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Stacey, R.W., McCormick, P.G.: Effect of Concentration on the Performance
of Flat Plate Photovoltaic Modules, Solar Energy, Volume 33, Issue 6, 1984, pp.565-569.
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Web sites