Looking for infoand availablity of cPV

 I like the idea of cPV, but I have not found them available for homes. Is
there any place I can find them? I in the Oakland area of California.

Thanks

Phil

 

Phillip wrote:


What's a cPV ? Throwing funny acronyms around won't impress.

Graham

 Since this was the PV group I thought it would be a well know term. Sorry. I
am just starting to do research.
cPV is   concentrator photovoltaic technology. It uses lens and/or mirrors
to concentrate the light on the silicon. Mirrors and lenses are cheaper than
silicon -see here for a utility plant system
(http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/1976/83/ ) Or do a google on cpv or
concentrator photovoltaic.


By concentrating sunlight more than 1,000 times, the system makes
electricity cheaper than traditional PV systems.

I am wondering if there are any systems designed for HOME use. Even though
they use less silicon, do they need the same size yard footprint (read these
articale, it lots like the use a lot less, but how can you get more light
out of the same size spot, or are they THAT much more effecient??!!

Thanks,
Phil (sorry for the assumption, as I am wiping egg of of my face...)

 
focussing light, you divide the required PV area, but to do it, you
need a solar tracking.
it depends whether you need a CPV that goes on a ground sun tracker or
that woud fit your roof.
Solient Energy may come up with nice, compact CPVs (over 500 suns)
suitable for roofs.
Morgan Solar coud also market new concentration optics with a zero
focal length (making flat CPVs, the focal point is inside the optical
slab which acts as a light guide, and the multijunction PV cell is
also embedded into it=>the cell is protected, no misalignments), high
focussing potential. This zero focal length/flat CPV is highly
desirable for roof integration (but still requires solar tracking),
and very cheap to manufacture.
The only (potentil) product that woud not require any solar tracking
is the MIT solar concentrator
But you will have to wait between 1 and 2 years.
Jeff

 

MuadDib wrote:


If you focus light , you'll also focus the heat and that will burn out the PV
cell. Here's what to do with focussing light.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS10_solar_power_tower

Graham