Performance Results of a Low-Concentration Photovoltaic System Based on High Efficiency Back Contact Cells

Abstract

As the solar industry scales towards installation capacities in the range of 30 to 50 gigawatts per year, SunPower has begun to evaluate concentration in order to leverage cell production capacity. SunPower is currently focusing on research and development investments in low concentration photovoltaic (LCPV) systems, which can reduce capital expense per watt by up to 90% while minimizing design changes in SunPower’s high efficiency back contact solar cells. Herein, we demonstrate a linear 7X geometric, parabolic-section, single-axis concentration photovoltaic system. We have installed an LCPV array at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility at Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Preliminary performance data indicates a direct resource efficiency of 18.4% and a misalignment tolerance of ±1.25°.