The silicon concentrator photovoltaic generator sophocles: Performance and costs based on material characteristics

✍ Scribed by D. Esteve; G. Vialaret; F. Therez

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1981
• Weight: 675 KB
• Volume: 4
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0379-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/0379-6787(81)90036-3

✦ Synopsis

The purpose of this paper is to show that in the short term a solution can be found to enable the immediate exploitation of concentrator photovoltaic systems. The technical requirements, tracking system, optical system and thermal dissipation necessary for concentrator generators are described. Then a description of the prototype generator Sophocles built in this laboratory is presented. The results of various experiments are given. Finally, we review the prospects of reductions in cost for a concentrator generator using a higher concentration ratio and more efficient solar cells, which can lead to a price of $4 Wp -1 if all expenses are taken into account.