The development of small concentrating PV systems

This report describes a continuing program to reduce the cost of solar electricity, by using optical concentrators to reduce the area of costly solar cells required for a given output. An earlier programme showed by spreadsheet analysis that 2 m² collectors with concentration ratios up to 40× could be made for 1.5 $/Wp, compared with a conventional planar array at 4.3 $/Wp. Using cheaper materials this can be reduced to 1.2 $/Wp. Further developments are aimed at solar cells for concentration ratios up to 200×, improved designs of the collector, intelligent low-cost trackers, and production for test, demonstration and sales.