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Hybrid CPV/PV modules include CPV solar cells designed to collect concentrated light and PV solar cells designed to collect diffuse or global light. The power rating, as well as the module energy rating for such PV modules are complicated by the fact that, in some cases, the power is a strong and discontinuous function of angle of incidence (AOI). For such a reason, the IEC 61853 and IEC 62670 series do not sufficiently cover the specific requirements and procedures for evaluating the Hybrid CPV/PV performances. The standard conditions for assessing the power produced by the hybrid CPV/PV modules have also to be differentiated from those used to characterize flat PV or CPV modules. With this contribution, the motivations behind the new work item proposal on "Hybrid CPV/PV modules: General characteristics and measurement procedures" are therefore presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new CPV/PV hybrid module (PVSMART2), with a self-powered, integrated 3D meso solar tracking system based on shape memory alloy actuators (SMA), is proposed. The use of SMAs allows simplifying the solar tracker technology, drastically reducing its costs to 0.04 Euro/W. The PVSMART2 module has no dead area and exploits at best the solar radiation thanks to the innovative smart performance control, which allows selecting the PV module working condition as function of the weather condition, sun spectrum and sun incidence angle. With this contribution the proof of the 2D-meso tracking concept, as well as the preliminary simulation results on the energy production of the PVSMART2 technology are reported. It will be shown that PVSMART2 technology has the potential to produce up to 55% more energy than 20% efficient Si PV modules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid and substantial decline of the cell-cost, CPV, relied on cell-saving and became less valuable. Many players and systems got off the stage as a result. Also, less and fewer new proposals in the CPV standardization. We decided to continue the standardization activity but separate the tracker's work by creating a new working group, WG9. The technical discussion on VIPV has also been discussed in WG7, and it is to be transferred to a new project team. Besides the existing standards' maintenance work, new proposals of the new CPV standards were posted and approved recently. One is the fire test of the CPV module, and another is a series of standards of the hybrid CPV/PV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to increase the conversion efficiency of photovoltaic concentrators, as well as to reduce the solar tracking cost, a new prismatic concentrator is proposed. The concentrator optics operates both in transmission and in reflection, it has a total vertical dimension of 55 mm and a square output aperture, equivalent to the PV cell size, of 0.75 x 0.75 mm. It is essentially composed by a convex surface attached to a prismatic truncated pyramid. The design procedures followed to increase the acceptance angle of the concentrator are described. The output of simulations carried out by Zemax software allows getting a concentrating factor of 750x, a maximum optical efficiency of 95% and an angular acceptance of ±2.1°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new accurate and low cost Position Sensitive Detector (PSD) unit has been developed. The PSD unit can be used both for a precise sun tracking and for an accurate outdoor characterization of the CPV modules. Besides the excellent accuracy and linearity, the proposed solution is miniaturized to be easily integrated in most of the CPV module types and therefore, it has a wide applicability. By equipping each CPV module with a PSD sensor, smart sun tracking control strategies can be adopted. This also allows overcoming the misalignment issues which are usually found when the PSD sensor is installed on the tracker frame. Furthermore, the PSD unit has been used for a 2D determination of the CPV module acceptance angle and it allows estimating the direct normal radiation. All these features make it possible to use the PSD unit for monitoring purpose in CPV power plants. In this contribution, the PSD unit is described in detail along with the performance and test carried out in the RSE CPV module test facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the project Concentrating Photovoltaic modules using advanced technologies and cells for highest efficiencies (CPVMatch), which is funded from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. V multi-junction solar cells and CPV modules. Concerning cells, novel wafer bonded four-junction solar cells made of GaInP/GaAs//GaInAs/Ge are optimized with the target of reaching 48% efficiency under concentration at the end of the project. Moreover, multi-junction solar cell technologies with advanced materials - like ternary IV element mixtures (i.e. SiGeSn) and nanostructured anti-reflective coatings - are investigated. Concerning CPV modules the project focuses on both Fresnel-based and mirror-based technologies with a target efficiency of 40% under high concentrations beyond 800x. Achromatic Fresnel lenses for improved light management without secondary optics are investigated. In addition, smart, mirror-based HCPV modules are developed, which include a new mirror-based design, the integration of high efficiency, low cost DC/DC converters and an intelligent tracking sensor (PSD sensor) at module level. A profound life-cycle and environmental assessment and the development of adapted characterization methods of new multi-junction cells and HCPV modules complete the work plan of CPVMatch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]