Recent Progress in Terrestrial Photovoltaic Collector Technology

Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Photovoltaics Program has as a goal, the development of economic photovoltaic systems for terrestrial applications. A key element of a photovoltaic system is the collector, which converts the solar energy to electrical energy. The targeted cost for the collector is $0.70/W_p (1980$). Two collector concepts are being developed to meet this cost target: (1) flat-plate by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Flat-Plate Solar Array Project, and (2) concentrator by the Sandia Laboratories. The achievement of the cost target is dependent upon the Technical Feasibility demonstration of a number of different R&D areas in coordination with industry. The current Administration R&D policy changes have impacted the Program direction; however, the advances in both flat-plate and concentrator technology support the conclusions that collector R&D objectives are attainable.

The work described in this paper was carried out or coordinated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, and was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy through an agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.