Concentrix Concentrator PhotoVoltaic System achieves 23% Efficiency

From sunlight to AC (Alternating Current)

On June 6, 2008, Concentrix Solar GmbH announced in 23% Solar Electricity Production fed into utility grid (Deutsch) their CPV (Concentrator PhotoVoltaic) system based on FLATCON technology had:

During the measurement period in May 2008, AC system efficiencies of 23% and higher were measured under normal operating conditions for a demonstration system located at the test site of the new partner Abengoa Solar in Seville, Spain.

The 23% or better AC efficiency reflects the actual electricity fed into the grid after sunlight is first converted into DC (Direct Current) by the photovoltaic modules and then into AC by the inverter under actual field conditions.

Concentrix claims this optimized 5.6 kWp (kilowatt-peak) CPV system includes a “new generation of improved concentrator PV modules” and mentions the inverter is also important to achieve the record efficiency. Data regarding these improved concentrator PV modules was first presented by Dr. Andreas Bett at PVSC 33 (33rd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference) in the paper, OUTDOOR EVALUATION OF FLATCON® MODULES AND SYSTEMS.

The optimized CPV system is supposed to be on sale in Spain this Fall 2008 from Concentrix Iberia, a joint venture company of Concentrix and Abengoa Solar (see Abengoa Solar and Concentrix Solar team up to create Concentrix Iberia). Along with Good Energies, Abengoa Solar participated in the cryptic, second Successful financing round completed and new cooperation partner for Concentrix for an undisclosed amount.

In an update to ISFOC First Phase 1.7 MegaWatt Installations Underway, Concentrix said:

Just a few weeks ago in the province Castilla-La Mancha, Concentrix successfully installed the first 100 kW system within the Spanish ISFOC project that is ready to be connected to the grid.

Concentrix is now constructing a 25 MW (MegaWatt) production line in Freiburg, Germany, and plans to start operations in Fall 2008, an apparent delay from the previous goal of “start up by mid-2008”.

In my first update since GUNTHER Portfolio Hiatus, my hip fracture has now healed, and I was cleared to walk again last Thursday. Let the real physical therapy begin! Alas, I will miss attending Intersolar 2008 this week, but I was sure I was not up to the task. I have also enjoyed attending the pre-Intersolar PV Industry Forum (2008), and CEO Hansjörg Lerchenmüller is one of the experts at the PV Industry Forum in Munich (Deutsch).