The mini-dome Fresnel lens photovoltaic concentrator array: current status of components and prototype panel testing

NASA Lewis and ENTECH have been developing a high-efficiency, lightweight space photovoltaic concentrator array. The emphasis of the program has shifted to fabrication and testing of the minidome Fresnel lens and other array components. Prototype lenses have been tested for optical efficiency, with results around 90%, and tracking error performance. The results of these tests have been very consistent with the predicted analytical performance. Work has also progressed in the fabrication of the array support structure. Recent advances in 30% efficient stacked cell technology will have a significant effect on the array performance. It is concluded that near-term array performance goals of 300 W/m² and 100 W/kg are feasible