A six-parameter formula is proposed for describing the hourly alternating current performance of a grid-connected, passively cooled concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) system. These system parameters all have physical meanings, and techniques are described for deriving their numerical values. The predictions of the model are compared with the measured output of a Soitec CPV system at Sede Boqer and found to be accurate to approximately ± 5% at all times of the year. The model should also be valid for systems of similar construction operated in different climates from the system studied here, and also for passively cooled CPV systems of different designs provided that suitable numerical values are determined for their system parameters. Another possible use of the model is as a guide for tailoring CPV cell architecture to the particular spectral conditions of the locations in which they will operate. Attention is drawn to the fact that the numerical values of some of the system parameters are found to depend upon the time binning employed for the data. An explanation is given for this phenomenon, which is also found to occur for non-concentrating photovoltaic panels.
Concentrix modules are based on III-V triple junction cells, a Fresnel lens array with a relatively small single lens aperture of 5 square inch, and a cover and bottom plate made out of glass. The first installations were conducted in 2008 in Europe, later installations followed in the US, in East Asia, in the Arabian Peninsula, and in Africa. This paper gives an overview of the performance of Soitec´s CPV systems with special focus on reliability, the different climatic conditions and their impact on the system performance. The seasonal distribution of the direct normal irradiation at the mentioned locations was found to be very different which enabled us to perform studies on the system performance depending on irradiation and ambient temperature. The first generation modules which were installed in 2008 had an average efficiency of 25%, resulting in a peak solar-to-grid system efficiency of 23% and an average AC system energy efficiency of > 20%. The system peak efficiencies of the second and third module generations reach maximum values of > 25% and average AC system efficiencies of > 22%. A detailed analysis of the reliability and the performance of the different system generations is presented.
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