Title:	Performance Results of a Low-Concentration Photovoltaic System Based on High Efficiency Back Contact Cells
Author(s):	Z.S. Steele Judkins, K.W. Johnston, C. Almy, R.J. Linderman, B. Wares, N.A. Barton, M. Dawson, J. Peurach
Topic:	Advanced Photovoltaics: New Concepts and Ultra-high Efficiency
Subtopic:	Terrestrial Concentrator Systems
Event:	25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition / 5th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, 6-10 September 2010, Valencia, Spain
Session:	1BO.6.1
Pages:	123 - 127
ISBN:	3-936338-26-4
Paper DOI:	10.4229/25thEUPVSEC2010-1BO.6.1
Price:	0,00 EUR
Document(s):	paper

Abstract/Summary:

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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°.