4 Little-Known Facts About Concentrated Photovoltaics
Posted February 2nd, 2012
Concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) technology is one of the newest players on the solar energy scene. CPV systems are unique because sunlight is concentrated through a lens onto high performance solar cells, thus increasing the electricity generated. Panels are mounted on tracking systems to maximize the benefit of each ray of sunlight.
Scientific journals are full of reports of recent advances in solar cell efficiency. Although this is very encouraging, it is hard to know how these breakthroughs will perform outside of the laboratories and when they will hit the market:
Dual Land Use
One megawatt of panels requires 6 to 8 acres of land. CPV panels are mounted on tracking systems, allowing for the land underneath to be utilized as well. Shade crops can be cultivated under the solar panels, increasing the diversity of crops that can be cultivated in sunny regions.
Over 95% Recyclable
The solar industry has been criticized for creating a product that is difficult to recycle. Although the useful life of a solar panel is around 30 years, it is important to consider this while designing the product. Newer panels have achieved higher rates because the two main materials used are glass and aluminum.
Energy Payback of 6+ Months
In the 1970s, manufacturing a solar panel required as much energy as the panel would generate over its 20 year lifespan. That means that older solar panels didn’t result in any net energy gain. This is no longer true with the new technologies.
The four popular kinds of solar cells: multicrystalline silicon, monocrystalline silicon, ribbon silicon, and thin-film cadmium telluride have an energy payback between 1 and 3 years. Some manufacturers claim their products produce an energy payback of just over 6 months.
CPV Is Expected to Rapidly Expand Its Market Share
The CPV sector is tiny compared to other solar power sectors including traditional PV. In fact, it currently represents around one tenth of one percent of the total solar market. However it is expected to begin a period of sustained and rapid expansion as the technical challenges that have held it back are solved. Some analysts are predicting that it will double in size each year through 2015 as new entrants begin to scale up production and lower costs.
