Central receiver photovoltaics - A new generation of solar power

The competitive landscape for solar power has changed dramatically over the last few years with 100’s of GW’s deployed and system costs dropping rapidly to approximately US$1.20-1.50/W for PV and US$2-4/W for CSP. While concentrator PV systems have demonstrated an efficiency of double that of PV and...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lasich, John, Payne, Richard, Hertaeg, Wolfgang, Shirley, David, Thomas, Ian, Carter, Sam, Mosley, Will, Lasich, Zoran
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
Architecture
Business
Concentrators
Photovoltaic cells
Solar cells
Solar energy
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Summary:The competitive landscape for solar power has changed dramatically over the last few years with 100’s of GW’s deployed and system costs dropping rapidly to approximately US$1.20-1.50/W for PV and US$2-4/W for CSP. While concentrator PV systems have demonstrated an efficiency of double that of PV and shown excellent reliability, to date the relatively high installed cost per m2 has limited deployment of these systems. The authors have unpacked the cost stack, to determine the underlying cost drivers and consequently have devised a product architecture and business model which address the key issues necessary to provide a pathway to effective low cost solar energy. This strategy is currently being demonstrated through the sale, manufacture and deployment of the ”PV Ultra” product according to the new paradigm. A “central receiver-PV” architecture called PV Ultra has been devised by RayGen, with 1MW built and validated. These features define a competitive solar energy product which has an attractive ROI even at 1MW.
ISSN:0094-243X
1551-7616
DOI:10.1063/1.5053495