by CleanTechnica: ‘These advancements … expand its application possibilities’.
A company and a research institute are working together to bring concentrator photovoltaics (CPV) back into the solar energy spotlight with their micro-CPV technology that boasts 36% conversion efficiency.
Soltec is a Spanish company that works on integrated photovoltaic solutions, with a focus on tracking technology that can direct panels toward the sun throughout the day.
Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE touts a world record with 47.6% solar cell efficiency from its four-junction panel, which it set back in 2022.
Now, it’s developed a new micro-CPV setup, which uses optical systems to focus light onto small solar cells made with III-V semiconductor materials, according to CleanTechnica.
“We are preparing the path for the reentry of high-concentration photovoltaics into the market by offering a competitive product which shall convince investors with its high energy yield, robustness and sustainability.” said Dr. Frank Dimroth, department head of III-V and Concentrator Photovoltaics at Fraunhofer ISE. “Resource efficiency is becoming an increasingly important topic in photovoltaics. Compared to the state-of-the-art, our micro-CPV technology reduces module areas by 30 percent and semiconductor materials by 1300 times at comparable power output. This helps to safe precious materials and energy in the production process and therefore improves sustainability.”
“This collaboration between Soltec and Fraunhofer ISE confirms the vision of both institutions. We look forward to continuing our collaboration in the future to further elevate the use of solar energy. These advancements not only represent a step forward in photovoltaic solar energy but also expand its application possibilities across various sectors,” said Eduardo de San Nicolás, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Soltec.
The first prototype will be used to test the precision of tracking accuracy throughout the day. In a later stage, the system can be equipped with 15.7 kWp of micro-CPV panels. The development of the micro-CPV module itself is part of a research project at Fraunhofer ISE supported by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
Courtesy of Fraunhofer ISE and Soltec.
Source: AWAKEN