High-Concentration Photovoltaics
The increased demand for base-load renewable energy by the industry and domestic consumers is equally matched by the growth in popularity of solar and wind solutions. However, questions are being increasingly raised in recent times that relate to equipment safety, efficiency, and long-term reliability. Surprisingly, this has received little feedback from established OEMs, in particular solar panel manufacturers.
Large-scale renewable developments require performant, safe and reliable systems with state-of-the-art electronics architecture, embedded artificial intelligence algorithms, integrated edge computing IoT/IIoT systems, and platform-level software management that facilitates security, ease of remote or on-site operation and maintenance, and, furthermore, system data and idle time (when system is stowed), and owner’s time monetisation.
High-concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) systems are a type of solar technology that uses lenses or mirrors to focus sunlight onto small, highly efficient solar cells. By concentrating sunlight, HCPV systems can achieve much higher efficiency than traditional photovoltaic systems. They are especially effective in regions with high direct sunlight. However, they require precise tracking systems to keep sunlight focused on the cells as the sun moves throughout the day.
Energy Transmission has developed, in collaboration with several North American and European companies, improved cells, receiver, and sun tracking technology – including novel optic elements and electronics – with high power capacities for high-concentration photovoltaic applications, based on triple-junction bandgap chemistry and architecture in an integrated approach to leverage the knowledge acquired and generated in a cost-effective and innovation-enhancing manner.
HCPV system production costs can be further reduced with various optimisation in machinery (by increasing production speed, and decreasing the length of the manufacturing line etc.) and process design. Novel production technologies can improve cell and receiver size and quality, and contribute to the implementation of next generation materials for the development of advanced 4-; 5- and even 6-junction cell architecture, which will offer about nine-times the efficiency of a standard crystalline panel over its lifetime.
Enclosed brochure presents the ET-2500 HCPV system parameters and performance. See about our international patents in the Sustainability section, and mass media coverage in the News section.
