Towards a flat 45%-efficient concentrator module

Abstract

Abstract. The so-called CCS 4 FK is an ultra-flat photovoltaic system of high concentration and high efficiency, with potential to convert, ideally, the equivalent of a 45% of direct solar radiation into electricity by optimizing the usage of sun spectrum and by collecting part of the diffuse radiation, as a flat plate does. LPI has recently finished a design based on this concept and is now developing a prototype based on this technology, thanks to the support of FUNDACION REPSOL-Fondo de Emprendedores, which promotes entrepreneur projects in different areas linked to energy. This works shows some details of the actual design and preliminary potential performance expected, according to accurate spectral simulations.

Dependence of Multijunction Optimal Gaps on Spectral Variability and Other Environmental and Device Parameters

“…The added value resulting from including bifacial silicon in a concentrator module can be increased if silicon harvests not only the diffuse and albedo irradiance, but also part of the direct irradiance in the appropriate spectral band. Mohedano et al proposed a variant of this idea where a dichroic mirror is used for spectral splitting [19]. Here we propose an alternative that does not need a dichroic mirror, but requires III-V solar cells that are transparent to infrared light.…”