Feb 28 2011
Amonix has launched its revolutionary 7700 Concentrated Photovoltaic (CVP) Generator. Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the technology places advanced space-grade solar cells under an earth-bound lens.
The CPV cells have been used in space for their superior strength. Made more resistant to heat with a gallium-based triple junction technology, the cells have improved efficiency as more sunlight can be concentrated on them. Another advantage of the generator is that electricity can be produced at prices competitive with natural gas.
The solar power generator uses Fresnel lenses developed by NREL to concentrate 500 times more solar energy. A standard silicon wafer used in PV panels generates about 2.5 watts of electricity whereas the same wafer used in a CPV cell generates more than 1500 watts of electricity.
Irrespective of the giant size of the generator, which is comparable to an IMAX screen, it comes with greater efficiency at a lower price as compared to other generators. This will greatly help achieve the White House goal of making America a global leader of renewable energy by bringing down the installed cost of solar energy to $1 a watt.
The Ammonix-NREL partnership won the CPV cells a 2010 R&D100 award.