REhnu dish based CPV: Performance and reliability improvements based on a year of field experience

Nicholas Didato, Frank Sodari, Thomas Stalcup, Peter Strittmatter, Roger Angel

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

REhnu has now built up a year of experience operating two M-8 CPV generators with dish-receiver architecture described in Stalcup et al. 2017 [1]. The M-8 generators use 8 primary collector mirrors made of back-silvered low-iron glass, 1.65 m square with a 1.5 m focal length. Small sealed receivers at each dish focus house 36 Solar Junction 3J cells operating at 950× concentration. Over the year of operation, a good measure of output power vs DNI and atmospheric conditions has been obtained. The efficiency varies through the day depending on air mass. The system is currently best matched to the solar spectrum at air mass 2. The daily peak CSTC efficiency averages 31%, with seasonal variation of ±1% through the year, peaking at 32% in August. Several improvements were made over the year to ensure reliability and to improve optical throughput. A dry air purging system has mitigated damage to the cells from moisture. Material upgrades to secondary reflectors in the receiver have resolved a runaway failure mode that went previously undetected due to inadequate testing time.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication14th International Conference on Concentrator Photovoltaic Systems, CPV 2018
EditorsIgnacio Anton, Marc Steiner, Myles Steiner
PublisherAmerican Institute of Physics Inc.
ISBN (Print)9780735417281
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 13 2018
Event14th International Conference on Concentrator Photovoltaic Systems, CPV 2018 - Puertollano, Spain
Duration: Apr 16 2018Apr 18 2018

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume2012
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Other

Other14th International Conference on Concentrator Photovoltaic Systems, CPV 2018
Country/TerritorySpain
CityPuertollano
Period4/16/184/18/18

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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