Towards commercialization of concentrator multijunction photovoltaic modules

Abstract

Concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) modules occupy the middle ground between conventional, flat-plate photovoltaics and concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies. CPV promises to deliver the best of both worlds: the highest efficiency of any photovoltaic system combined with the higher capacity factor and scale-up potential of dual-axis tracking systems characteristic of CSP power towers. Having demonstrated cell efficiencies over 40%, the CPV industry has now embarked on an aggressive program to demonstrate cost-effective, highly-reliable CPV modules in the field.