An evaluation of integrated high-concentration photovoltaics for large-scale grid connected applications

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a newly developed high-efficiency (greater than 18%), large-scale (20 kW) integrated high-concentration PV (IHCPV) system as a low cost power provider for utility grid-connected applications. High-concentration PV systems offer several cost advantages for large (multi-megawatt) applications. By concentrating sunlight with low cost plastic Fresnel lenses, they reduce the amount of costly silicon cell material required to generate a given amount of electricity by an amount approximately equal to the concentration ratio, in this case 300X. The novel 20 kW IHCPV system was installed at two major utilities: Arizona Public Service's Solar Test and Research (STAR) facility and the Photovoltaics for Utility Scale Application (PVUSA) facility. This innovative design further reduces costs by "integrating" the concentrating optics and the receiver plates with the tracking structure thus eliminating inefficient modular construction. Many studies have shown that once PV costs are reduced to below $2.00/watt, entry into the utility market will accelerate. The IHCPV system is considered to be the leading candidate to meet this cost threshold in the near term. This paper reports on the performance of the IHCPV systems and offers an analysis of the economics of HCPV systems for utility-scale applications.