Photovoltaic concentrator technology development

Recent progress in the area of photovoltaic (PV) concentrator technology development is summarized. A brief description of the status of two photovoltaic concentrator power systems, the 300 kW ENTECH-3M-Austin system and the single-pedestal Alpha Solarco system, is given. Considerable progress in the area of photovoltaic concentrator module development is reported. Those module development activities that have resulted in significantly higher conversion efficiencies or module design concepts are emphasized. The author discusses the major gains in concentrator cell efficiencies, especially the increased efficiencies for multijunction solar cells, and their implications for the technology. Also discussed are the most significant recent developments for PV concentrator components, including refractive secondary optical elements and a self-contained, electronic, array-tracking controller. Finally, the author discusses the outlook for markets and sales for photovoltaic concentrators and briefly describes a program in the United State, the Photovoltaic Concentrator Initiative