Assembling, Characterization and Energy Rating of a Photovoltaic Concentration Module Equipped with Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells

25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition / 5th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, 6-10 September 2010, Valencia, Spain; 994-998
Sunlight concentration onto photovoltaic cells can contribute to reduce the total system cost of photovoltaic plants. The aim of this work is the development of a low cost photovoltaic concentration system design for building integration; to reduce the cost of these systems, you can use concentration PV cells coming from conventional systems and modified to work in concentration. This module has been developed around ENEA concentration cell, realized in ENEA’s laboratory in Portici (Italy), and based on c-Si technology. Starting from characteristic data obtained by experimental apparatus or by simulation programs, and using an empirical model based on this information, an optimum combination of the different structures involved in the concentration process has been determined. This optimization procedure is based on the minimization of the energy cost determined for a particular geographical site (Real Reporting Conditions). Finally a mock-up module based on this technology has been assembled and characterized outdoors.