Low Cost 100x PV Concentrator
Reference Number
S/P2/00477/00/00
Title
Low Cost 100x PV Concentrator
Status
Completed
Energy Categories
Renewable Energy Sources(Solar Energy, Photovoltaics)
Research Types
Basic and strategic applied research
Applied Research and Development
Applied Research and Development
Science and Technology Fields
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation
Not Cross-cutting
Principal Investigator
Dr C Weatherby
Whitfield Solar Ltd
Whitfield Solar Ltd
Award Type
Standard
Funding Source
DTI
Start Date
01 April 2005
End Date
31 May 2008
Duration
37 months
Total Grant Value
£850,000
Industrial Sectors
Power
Region
South East
Programme
SOLAR-PV
Other Investigator
Project Contact, University of Ulster
Web Site
Objectives
Development of a novel lightweight very-low-cost point-focus PV collector costing $0.70/Wp; one-third that of current PV systems. Cost reduction results from use of:
- Low-cost one-sun technology LSBG cells modified for 100x, giving a cell cost below 10 cents/Wp.
- Small optical-aperture modules produced at moderate volume. These have low materials costs due to low self-bending loads, and are easily fabricated in volume.
Calculations supportedby a production consultant show system materials costs (housing, frame and tracking) at $0.35/Wp; and labour costs in moderate production at $0.25/Wp.
Many of the developments needed to meet this goal have been achieved with in prior research projects. Early prototypes have 10,000 hours of testing. This project covers:
- Development and optimisation of LSBG concentrator cells (NaREC).
- Improvement of lightweight two-axis concentrators (Whitfield Solar).
- Refinement of annual energy and thermal calculations (Ulster).
- System testing and evaluation (A ll partners).
Abstract
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Added to Database
01/01/07
