CPV - TECHNOLOGY: STATUS AND

MARKET PERSPECTIVES

Andreas W. Bett
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar
Energy Systems ISE
Solar 2050 Workshop
Imperial College London
27th January 2014
www.ise.fraunhofer.de
Fraunhofer ISE

Outline

Motivation for Concentrating PV

CPV Technology Options
Market for CPV
Sustainability: Low Energy Pay
Back Time for CPV technologies
Summary

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Photovoltaics
Standard PV and Concentrating PV
Standard PV

Light collection
and conversion
is one unit

Concentrating PV

Light collection
collection area

separated
from
FLATCON-Module

developed at ISE

Light conversion
cell area

Concentration Factor = collection / cell area

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The Main Idea of Concentrating Photovoltaic Systems

Functional decoupling of

Solar radiation

sunlight collection and

location of conversion into
electricity
Cgeo =

optics
Acollection

Acollection
Aconversion

solar cell

Semiconductor (conversion
area) is expensive
Option for low cost on
/kWh-level even when
using high-efficiency solar
cells
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Aconversion
heat spreader

Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) the 70ies

The Idea is Old
Sandia National
Laboratory
1 kW CPV system, 1976
using Si solar cells

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Fraunhofer ISE

Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) the 70ies

The Idea is Old
Sandia National
Laboratory
1 kW CPV system, 1976
using Si solar cells

Why CPV was not in the market?

Why currently CPV is penetrating the market?
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High Efficiency is the Key!

Multi-junction Solar Cells

Efficiency [%]

40
30
20
10

III-V multi-junction solar cell (lab measurement)

III-V multi-junction solar cell (commercial)
Si concentrator solar cells (lab measurement)

1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

Graphic: Fraunhofer ISE; Data for solar cell efficiencies: Green et al. Progress in
Photovoltaics (1993-2013)

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Fraunhofer ISE

High Efficiency is the Key!

Multi-junction Solar Cells

40
Sharp

44.4% @ 302x

Solar Junction 44.0% @ 942x

Spire

42.3 % @ 406x

Spectrolab

41.6 % @ 364x

Fraunhofer ISE 41.1 % @ 454x

Efficiency [%]

Fraunhofer ISE 44.7% @ 287x

30
20
10

III-V multi-junction solar cell (lab measurement)

III-V multi-junction solar cell (commercial)
Si concentrator solar cells (lab measurement)

1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

Graphic: Fraunhofer ISE; Data for solar cell efficiencies: Green et al. Progress in
Photovoltaics (1993-2013)

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Fraunhofer ISE

The Benefit of Multi-Junction Solar Cells

Using a Wider Part of the Solar Spectrum!

Spectral irradiance [W/m2m]

Si

1600

AM1.5 spectrum
Si (1.12 eV)

1400

Thermalization losses

1200
1000

Energy that can be

used by a Si solar cell

800
600

Transmission losses

400
200
0
500

1000

1500

2000

Wavelength [nm]
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2500

The Benefit of Multi-Junction Solar Cells

Using a Wider Part of the Solar Spectrum!

Ge
Si

1600

AM1.5 spectrum
Si (1.12 eV)

1400

Thermalization losses

1200
1000

Energy that can be

used by a Si solar cell

800
600

Transmission losses

400
200
0
500

1000

1500

2000

Wavelength [nm]
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2500

Spectral irradiance [W/m2m]

Spectral irradiance [W/m2m]

GaInP

GaInAs

1600

AM1.5 spectrum
GaInP (1.87 eV)
GaInAs (1.44 eV)
Ge (0.67 eV)

1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
500

1000

1500

2000

Wavelength [nm]

2500

The Standard III-V-based Triple-junction Solar Cell

Structure
front contact

19 layers

ARC
n -AlInP - window layer
n-GaInP - emitter
GaInP - undoped layer

cap layer

p-GaInP - base

1.9 eV

doping levels:
5*1016 2*1020 cm-3

GaInP

p -GaInP - barrier layer

+

thicknesses:
0.02 4.0 m
layer compositions:

tunnel diode

GaInAs

binary quaternary
As/P hetero-interfaces

tunnel diode

p+-AlGaInP - barrier layer

p++-AlGaAs
n++-GaAs or GaInP
n+-AlGaInP/AlInAs - barrier layer
n-GaInAs - emitter
GaInAs - undoped layer
1.4
p-GaInAs - base

eV

p+-GaInAs - barrier layer

p+-AlGaInAs - barrier layer
p++-AlGaAs
n++-GaInAs
n-gradedGa1-xInxAs buffer layer

Ge

n- dopedwindow- and nucleation layer

n-Ge diffused emitter
p-Ge substrate (100)

0.7 eV
rear contact

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FF [%]

III-V-based Multi-junction Solar Cell

4-junction Solar Cells with = 44.7 %
4-junction
bonded to InP

90
85
80
75

lot12-01-x17y04

VOC [V]

Eff. [%]

45
40

max = 44.7 % @ C=297

35
4.4

GaInP 1.9 eV
GaAs1.4 eV

4.0

Bonding

3.6
3.2
1

10

100

GaInAsP 1.0 eV

1000

GaInAs 0.7 eV

Concentration [x, AM1.5d, ASTM G173-03, 1000 W/m]

carrier

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CPV Systems
Basis for High Energy Yield of the System

Reported AC system
efficiencies:
25 27 %

Efficiency [%]

40
30
20
10

III-V multi-junction solar cell (lab measurement)

III-V multi-junction solar cell (commercial)
CPV Modules Fraunhofer ISE (outdoor)
AC system efficiency (outdoor Spain, Soitec)

1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012
Graphic: Fraunhofer ISE; Data for solar cell efficiencies: Green et al. Progress in
Photovoltaics (1993-2013)

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Fraunhofer ISE

CPV Systems
Basis for High Energy Yield of the System

Reported AC system
efficiencies:
25 27 %
Amonix
Soitec
Suncore
Suntrix

Efficiency [%]

Abengoa

40
30
20
10

III-V multi-junction solar cell (lab measurement)

III-V multi-junction solar cell (commercial)
CPV Modules Fraunhofer ISE (outdoor)
AC system efficiency (outdoor Spain, Soitec)

1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012
Graphic: Fraunhofer ISE; Data for solar cell efficiencies: Green et al. Progress in
Photovoltaics (1993-2013)

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Fraunhofer ISE

The Efficiency Chain for CPV

Commercial Values: Cell - Module System

Cell efficiency: Module efficiency:

~ 40% (44.7 %) ~ 30% (35.5 %)
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Fraunhofer ISE

AC system efficiency:
~ 26% (28 %)

What are challenges for the CPV Technology?

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Characteristics for Concentrator Photovoltaic

Optimise the System!

The challenges for

an optimised CPV
system are:
Knowledge in
different fields
optics, mechanics,
semiconductor,
mechanics..
Good manufacturing
process provides
reliability and
low cost!

A CPV system

Optics
Industrial
manufacturing
Cell

There is not a unique CPV system!

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Module

Tracking
BOS

Diversity of System Designs

b

Cool earth Solar

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www.daido.co.jp

Technology Principle A
Large Collector and Receiver Area

Source: Fraunhofer ISE

Receiver: Dense array 10 x 10 cm

Source: Solar System

This system approach requires active cooling of the solar cells

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Fraunhofer ISE

Advanced Concepts for Technology A

Co-Generation of Heat and Electricity (CPVT)
Total System Conversion Efficiency > 70 %!
Active cooling delivers usable heat
Practicable temperature range:
60 to 150 C

Central
receiver

Concentrator

Diverse applications
Industrial process heating
Solar desalination + solar cooling
Thermal load

Tracker
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Fraunhofer ISE

+
Electric load

Technology Principle B
Small-sized Fresnel Lense combined with tiny Solar Cells

Source: Fraunhofer ISE

Receiver: Tiny cell (1-4 mm in dia.)

(Often: Secondary optics is added)
Source: Concentrix Solar, 2007

This system approach is based on passive cooling for the solar cells
Covers > 95 % of the market!
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Fraunhofer ISE

Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) Market

HCPV-Installations of 1 MWp and more

2.7

4.1

5.5

6.8

kWh/m/d

Source of DNI map: Soitec Solar

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The Application: Centralized Solar Power Plants

HCPV - High Concentration Photovoltaics
30 MW in Alamosa, Coloradco, USA

44 MWp under construction at Touwsrivier, South Africa

before:

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Project Location: Golmud, Qinghai Province

5 MWp in operation / 50 MWp under construction
Suntrix
700 kWp in operation

Suncore
3 MWp in operation,
50 MWp under construction

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Market Development for HCPV

Numbers Collected from Public Available Data

140
120
100
80
60
40

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Fraunhofer ISE

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

20
2002

Total Capacity Installed [MW]

160

Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) Future Market

The View of Analysts: Navigant, Paula Mints
1000.0
900.0

Yearly installed

800.0
700.0
M
W
p

600.0
500.0
400.0
300.0
200.0
100.0
0.0

2006
HCPV History & Low Forecast 0.7
HCPV Conservative Forecast
HCPV Accelerated Forecast

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Fraunhofer ISE

2007
9.5

2008
2.8

2009
5.0

2010
11.2

2011
62.0

2012
61.8
103.0
123.6

2013
100.3
250.8
551.7

2014
147.5
442.5
663.8

2015
181.5
577.5
841.5

2016
263.3
649.4
930.2

LCOE [Euro2013/kWh]

Potential for Low-Cost Electricity in Sunny Regions

DNI: 2000 2500 kWh/(ma)

CSP

CPV
PV

Source: Fraunhofer ISE, Studie: Stromgestehungskosten Erneuerbare Energien, Nov. 2013; english version under preparation

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Fraunhofer ISE

Concentrator Photovoltaic Development

From Lab (Fraunhofer ISE) to Fab (Soitec)

~ 7 years
2012

2005
2.335 W

30% efficiency
90 W module
27% efficiency
25 W module
22% efficiency

manual manufacturing
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Fraunhofer ISE

industrial manufacturing

Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) Today

Industrial Manufacturing is Available

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Studies on Life Cycle Assessments on FLATCON Systems

Already in 2005 and 2008!

120 modules

Tracker

Inverter, BOS

1.
2.

G. Peharz et al, PIP, 2005, 13, p. 627-634;

R. Matzer et al, Proc. 6th Int. Workshop: Advances in Energy Studies, 2008, p. 369-78

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Fraunhofer ISE

Study on Life Cycle Assessment for FLATCON Systems

2008
Transport
7,6%
BOS
3,5%

Cumulated Energy Demand (CED)

Cell
9,4%
SCA
11,6%

CEDP + CEDD = 100 %

CEDP = 155 400 MJ
CEDU =

Tracker
35,1%

Base plate
16,8%

5 400 MJ

CEDD = -26 900 MJ (recycling)

EProd = 12600 kWh/a
Energy payback time

Module
11,0%

Lens plate
5,0%

Figure 1. Contribution of main components to the

CED of a FLATCON system, including the CEDD
for recycling of steel, aluminum and glass. 100 %
correspond to 128 500 MJ.

EPBT ~ 11 months
1/3 of Si flat plate installations!
30 g/kWh CO2-eq

Taken from: R. Matzer et al, Proc. 6th Int. Workshop: Advances in Energy Studies, 2008, 369-78
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Summary

CPV offers high efficiencies:

up to 28 % in grid-connected operation
low-cost electricity in sunny regions
Today:
>140 MWp installed CPV systems
> 250 MWp production capacity
point-focus Fresnel type systems dominate
the market
Further research is on-ongoing on all system
components, reliability etc.
CPV is a green and sustainable technology
low EPBT and CO2 footprint

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Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the important contributions

of all our collaborators, as well as financial
support by:

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Fraunhofer ISE

Thank You for Your Attention!

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE

Dr. Andreas W. Bett
www.ise.fraunhofer.de
andreas.bett@ise.fraunhofer.de
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Fraunhofer ISE