Wide-Angle Planar Microtracking Microcell Concentrating Photovoltaics

Wide-Angle Planar Microtracking Microcell Concentrating Photovoltaics


Program:
MOSAIC
Award:
$3,129,385
Location:
University Park, Pennsylvania
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
02/10/2016 - 12/31/2020
Website:

Technology Description:

Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), along with their partner organizations, will develop a high efficiency micro-CPV system that features the same flat design of traditional solar panels, but with nearly twice the efficiency. The system is divided into three layers. The top and bottom layers use a refractive/reflective pair of tiny spherical lens arrays to focus sunlight onto a micro-CPV cell array in the center layer. The micro-CPV arrays will be printed on a transparent sheet that slides laterally between the top and bottom layer to ensure that the maximum amount of sunlight is delivered to the micro-PV cell throughout the day. Advanced manufacturing using high-throughput printing techniques will help reduce the cost of the micro-CPV cell arrays and allow the team to create five-junction micro-PV cells that can absorb a broader range of light and promote greater efficiency. By concentrating and focusing sunlight on a specific advanced micro-PV cell, the system can achieve much higher efficiency than standard FPV panels, while maintaining a similar flat panel architecture.

Potential Impact:

If successful, innovations from Penn State’s project may lower the cost of solar systems by allowing economical, high-volume manufacturing of micro-CPV arrays. Improved systems could encourage greater adoption of solar power in all three primary markets – residential, commercial, and utility.

Security:

Expanded use of clean, renewable solar power could reduce dependence on foreign sources of energy.

Environment:

Solar power offers clean power generation with zero emissions. Technologies developed under MOSAIC may also enable solar installations with smaller physical footprints, reducing the environmental impacts of large solar arrays

Economy:

Technologies developed under MOSAIC could offer a cost-effective option for clean, locally produced power across all market sectors.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. James Zahler
Project Contact:
Prof. Chris Giebink
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
ncg2@psu.edu

Partners

University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign
Semprius, Inc.

Related Projects


Release Date:
12/08/2014