A flat-plate concentrator: micro-concentrator design overview

SunPower is developing a novel 300/spl times/ concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) module. Tiny silicon solar cells and a compact nonimaging optics design enable a very low profile "micro-concentrator" design. The module is only 3 cm thick, but has a large acceptance angle (/spl plusmn/2/spl deg/) and looks much like a conventional flat plate module. Module photovoltaic conversion efficiency is projected to be about 18% (AM1.5d, 60/spl deg/C). This paper presents an overview of the solar cell design, concentrating optics and module design issues, as well as assembly details, cost projections and preliminary test results.