Current Projects
Trough-Lens-Cone optics with microcell arrays: High efficiency at low cost
PhD Thesis Defense Recorded Video (May 3,2022):
AIP Conference Proceedings 2012, 090006 (2018); https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5053544
ABSTRACT
Tandem cells give HCPV high efficiency, but HCPV has been burdened by high optics, receiver, and balance-of-module costs. Trough/Lens/Cone optics can provide arrays of very-high-concentration microcell-sized foci at low cost, multi-microcell receivers can match the arrays of foci at low receiver cost, and the trough’s initial concentration can reduce sealed-module size and balance-of-module costs. Efficiency and cost analyses indicate that Trough-Lens-Cone modules should provide higher efficiency than Fresnel/box CPV, at a cost that is competitive with silicon PV.
REFERENCES
- 1.M. Woodhouse, R. Jones-Albertus, D. Feldman, R. Fu, K. Horowitz, D. Chung, D. Jordan and S. Kurtz, “The Role of Advancements in Solar Photovoltaic Efficiency, Reliability, and Costs”, p. 22 & p. 38, NREL, 2016, Google Scholar
- 2.Azur 3C44 datasheet’ “Concentrator Triple Junction Solar Cell 3C44–3x3mm2”, azurspace.com web site, 2015, Google Scholar
- 3.Boeing Spectrolab “C4MJ Metamorphic Fourth Generation CPV Technology”, in Datasheet on web site, 2011, Google Scholar
- 4.J. González, M. Vázquez, N. Núñez, C. Algora, I. Rey-Stolle and B. Galiana, “Reliability analysis of temperature step-stress tests on III-V high concentrator solar cells”, in Microelectronics Reliability, 2001, Google Scholar
- 5.K. Horowitz, M. Woodhouse, G. Smestad and H. Lee, “A Bottom-up Cost Analysis of a High-Concentration PV Module”, at CPV-11, 2015, Google Scholar
- 6.K. Horowitz, R. Fu, X. Sun, T. Silverman, M. Woodhouse and M. Alam, “An Analysis of the cost and performance of photovoltaic systems as a function of module area”, NREL, 2017, Google Scholar
- 7.J. Hasom, O. Jafarieh, H. Anis, K. Hinzer and D. Wright, “Learning curve analysis of concentrated photovoltaic systems”, Progress in Photovoltaics, 2013, Google Scholar
- 8.R. Norman, B. Bouzazi, B. Siskavich, E. Leveille, J-F. Dufault, O. Arenas, R. Ares, V. Aimez and L. Frechette, “Shingled-row dense Receiver Array (DRA) for CPV” CPV-13, 2017, Google Scholar
- 9.J. Lasich, I. Thomas, W. Hertaeg, D. Shirley, N. Faragher, N. Erenstrom, S. Carter, B. Cox, and X. Zuo, “A 200kW central receiver CPV system” AIP Conference Proceedings 1679, (2015, Google ScholarScitation
- 10.S. Elrod, “III-V Solar Concentrators, Driving the Cost to Below $1.00/Watt”, a Stanford Energy Seminar, 2008, Google Scholar
- 11.B. Furman, E. Menard, A. Gray, M. Meitl, S. Bonafede, D. Kneeburg, K. Ghosal, R. Bukovnik, W. Wagner, J. Gabriel, S. Seel and S. Burroughs, “A High Concentration Photovoltaic Module Utilizing Micro-transfer Printing and Surface Mount Technology”, at 35th IEEE PVSC, 2010, Google ScholarCrossref
- 12.N. Hayashi, D. Inoue, M. Matsumoto, A. Matsushita, H. Higuchi, Y. Aya, T. Nakagawa, “High-efficiency thin and compact concentrator photovoltaics with micro-solar cells directly attached to a lens array”, OSA, 2015. Google Scholar
- 13.C. Miller and J. Stephens, “Solar Energy Collection System”, in U.S. Patent 4149521, 1975, Google Scholar
- 14.T. Cooper, “High-Concentration Solar Trough Collectors annd Their Application to Concentrating Photovoltaics”, in PhD Thesis ETH Zurich, 2014, Google Scholar
- 15.C. Corino, “Die SunOyster – solare KWK”, Presentation on SunOyster web site, 2016, Google Scholar
- 16.B. Wheelwright, R. Angel and C. Coughenour, “Freeform lens design to achieve 1000X solar concentration with a parabolic trough reflector”, in Classical Optics 2014 (OSA Digest), 2014, Google Scholar
- 17.M. Mehos, C. Turchi, J. Jorgenson, P, Denholm, C. Ho and K. Armijo “Advancing Concentrating Solar Power Technology, Performance, and Dispatchability”, in On the Path to SunShot (NREL), 2016, p. 16, Google Scholar
- 18.R. Angel, “Advanced Manufacture of Reflectors”, DE-EE0005796, 2014, Google Scholar
- 19.Elgin, ÅngströmLink AL-3252 Datasheet, Fiber Optic Center, undated, Google Scholar
- 20.D. Zogbi, “Passive Electronic Components: State of the industry”, European Passive Components Inst., 2016, Google Scholar
- 21.L. Levine, “Wire Bonding”, in Electronic Device Failure Analysis, volume 18 #1, 2016, Google Scholar
- 22.P. Chiu, D. Law, R. Woo, S. Singer, D. Bhusari, W. Hong, A. Zakaria, J. Boisvert, S. Mesropian, R. King, and N. Karam, “Direct Semiconductor Bonded 5J Cell For Space And Terrestrial Applications”, IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics (Volume: 4, Issue: 1), 2014 https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOTOV.2013.2279336, Google ScholarCrossref
- 23.M. Kontges, S. Kurtz, C. Packard, U. Jahn, K. Berger, K. Kato, T. Friesen, H. Liu and M. Van Iseghem, “Review of Failures of Photovoltaic Modules”, International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme, 2014, Google Scholar
- 24.S. Kurtz, J. Wohlgemuth, M. Kempe, N. Bosco, P. Hacke, D. Jordan, D. Miller, T. Silverman, N. Phillips, T. Earnest, and R. Romero “Photovoltaic Module Qualification Plus Testing”, NREL Technical Report, 2013, Google Scholar
On-sun testing of a 100-shingled-cell dense receiver array at ̃50 W/cm2 using overlapped single-axis
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2018AIPC.2012b0009N/abstract
Dish CPV can achieve high concentration at low cost by overlapping the foci of single-axis mirrors into an oblong compound focus, which secondary optics can convert to a rectangular focus with even intensity on its major axis. The resulting focus is suitable for a dense receiver array with rows of cells-in-parallel on the minor axis with the rows themselves in series along the major axis. A dense receiver array was previously proposed in which multiple receiver segments are covered with rows of CPV cells that are shingled to minimize gaps in the photoreceptive surface. Segments are built on thermal-expansion-matched micro-channel cold plates for up to 1000× concentration. Segments share a coolant manifold and a steel housing with cooled secondary mirrors, so a receiver with hundreds of cells can be handled in-field as a unit. The first receiver segments have been built, populated with cells and flash-tested, and the first segment has been installed in a receiver and tested on sun at up to 50 W/cm2 at the focus of a multiple-single-axis-mirror dish.
Publication:
AIP Conference Proceedings, Volume 2012, Issue 1, id.020009
Pub Date: September 2018
DOI: 10.1063/1.5053497
Bibcode: 2018AIPC.2012b0009N
A 1000x utility-scale parabolic frame tracker for multidisciplinary CPV research
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2017AIPC.1881b0003A/abstract
A dual-dish concentrating solar research system is introduced in which multiple low-cost single-axis-focusing mirrors have their foci overlapped into a single intense compound focus. A CPV receiver for such a focus is also introduced, with cooled secondary mirrors and a Dense Receiver Array (DRA) with shingled cell rows to eliminate inter-row gaps. CTE-matched micro-channel cold plates are used for low-resistance cooling and fin tube radiators provide ample heat-rejection surface. The ratio of the DRA's cell area to focusing mirrors' area allows reaching a concentration factor of 1000x. A cost breakdown is presented and discussed and areas that still need significant improvement to be able to compete with flat panel costs are identified, along with research works in progress in those areas.
Publication: AIP Conference Proceedings, Volume 1881, Issue 1, id.020003
Pub Date: September 2017
DOI: 10.1063/1.5001402
Bibcode: 2017AIPC.1881b0003A