Update on project ALCHEMI – A low cost HCPV module for 1000 sun operation

Abstract

Project ALCHEMI is a Solar Era.Net funded European collaborative project, which is developing a low cost, high efficiency HCPV module using a previous design developed by Fullsun PV. In this project, the 625 sun Gen 1 module has been redesigned to operate at 1000 suns and further improved by the utilization of state of the art 3 junction solar cells from three different vendors. Through use of ∼42% efficient cells, it is expected to achieve module efficiencies of >37%. This paper describes the cell and module test and assembly process and initial evaluation of how the next generation of module will be improved still further through another iteration of the design of the secondary optical element (SOE).