ULTRAMicroCPV

Summary:

The increase in energy demand and our strong dependence on fossil fuel sources can be considered as the two most important challenges facing humanity nowadays. In this scenario, the EU seeks to produce ≈20%, ≈30% and >50% of the total energy consumed from renewable sources by 2020, 2030 and 2050, respectively. Bearing this in mind, the development of new generation high-efficiency and low-cost photovoltaic (PV) systems has become essential. Concentrator photovoltaics (CPV) offers the highest conversion efficiencies among all the PV technologies. This project is focused on the development of a novel high-efficiency solar energy break-through in the field of CPV. The main objective of UltraMicroCPV is to develop a novel micro-scale hybrid CPV/TE system with concentrations exceeding 2000 suns and efficiencies approaching ≈ 50%.

UltraMicroCPV technology will achieve state-of-the-art efficiencies above > 40% under Concentrator Standard Operating Conditions (CSOC: G = 1000 W/m2, AM1.5D and Tair = 20 ºC); at the highest concentrations (> 2000 suns) and very low cost (< 0.7 €/Wp). Moreover, UltraMicroCPV offers a promising route to be the first PV technology able to convert more than a half of the sunlight into electricity. The high-efficiency, micro-scaling, and expected cost of UltraMicroCPV technology makes it suitable for large scale production and assembly in large power plants, residential, rooftop (BIPV), industrial applications, etc. The unique UltraMicroCPV concept offers significant advantages exceeding today´s state-of-the-art concentrator systems.