Wide-angle planar microtracking for quasi-static microcell concentrating photovoltaics

Area of Science:

• Renewable Energy
• Photovoltaics
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Conventional concentrating photovoltaics (CPV) require large areas and precise dual-axis tracking, limiting deployment.
• High cost of solar power remains a barrier to widespread adoption.
• Existing CPV systems are not suitable for space-constrained urban environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel quasi-static concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) system for enhanced solar energy capture.
• To enable full-day solar tracking with reduced mechanical complexity and thickness.
• To explore the potential of CPV technology for urban and limited-space applications.

Main Methods:

• Integration of high-efficiency microcell photovoltaics with paired plastic lenslet arrays.
• Demonstration of quasi-static tracking via small lateral translation at fixed latitude tilt.
• Characterization of flux concentration ratios exceeding 200x.

Main Results:

• Development of ultra-thin (<1 cm) concentrating photovoltaic panels.
• Achieved >200x flux concentration ratio with quasi-static micro-tracking.
• Demonstrated ~1.9x increase in daily energy output per unit area compared to dual-axis systems.
• Overcoming cosine projection loss through improved ground coverage.

Conclusions:

• Quasi-static concentrating photovoltaic panels offer a viable alternative to conventional CPV systems.
• The technology's compact design and high efficiency are suitable for rooftop and urban installations.
• This innovation can significantly increase the accessibility and deployment of solar power in diverse environments.