Wide-angle, high-concentration photovoltaics to compete with flat-plate systems

A novel photovoltaic concentrator enables highly uniform irradiance on a small number of efficient solar cells. The maximum electrical power of a photovoltaic (PV) energy installation depends on three factors: the available irradiance, the size of the systems collecting sunlight, and the rate at which the device transforms light into electricity (the conversion efficiency). Developers can maximize the irradiance by carefully selecting the site and orientation of the solar facility. But they can only expand their sunlight collection systems for standard flat plate PV devices by increasing the number of solar cells, at greater cost. Here, we consider the advantages of an alternative PV system that produces more energy without increasing the number of cells used (actually, reducing it), by improving the conversion rates.We also present a new device that may enhance the commercial viability of such technologies.