Short focal length concentrating photovoltaic collector

The design and prototype production of a short focal length concentrator are presented. The cost benefits, objectives, and system design for the concentrators are discussed in detail. The design results in a production-cost reduction because it allows the concentrator to be produced with full-automation techniques and uses far less nonPV material than is used for standard concentrators. 12% module efficiencies were obtained using a standard one-sun cell at 30:1 concentration. Costs are less than a dollar per watt for the module.