Page 32 - European Energy Innovation - Autumn 2016 publication

32 Autumn 2016 European Energy Innovation

COMMUNICATION

CPVMatch: A European Project
for Highest Efficiencies in
Concentrating Photovoltaics

The EU-funded project each other. Each material/sub solar CPV technology work together in this
Concentrating Photovoltaic cell converts a specific part of the project to run and progress together the
modules using advanced sun´s spectrum and thus manages the development of highly-efficient multi-
technologies and cells for photons properly. However, large area junction solar cells and the improvement
highest efficiencies (CPVMatch) will multi-junction cells are too expensive of the CPV module technique.
bring practical performance of high if applied in standard PV modules. A
concentrating photovoltaics (HCPV) viable solution to solve the cost issue IMPLEMENTATION AND OBJECTIVES
closer to theoretical limits. Leading is to use tiny solar cells in combination The collaborative project started in
European experts in their respective with optical concentrating technology, May 2015 with a duration of three and
fields of science, technology and in particular, HCPV, in which the light a half years and an EC contribution of
industrialization are engaged in the is concentrated over the solar cells 4.95 M€. The consortium consists of
project to realize novel multi-junction more than 500 times. The combination four research institutions (Fraunhofer
solar cell architectures and innovative of ultra-high efficient cells and optical ISE, RSE, CEA, Tecnalia), one University
HCPV module concepts. concentration lead to low cost on (UPM), two industry partners (AZUR
system level and eventually to low Space Solar Power, AIXTRON) and
CONCEPT levelised electricity costs, today well two SMEs (ASSE, Cycleco) and is
It has been proven that the only below 8 €cent/kWh and at the end coordinated by Fraunhofer ISE. The
realistic path to close the gap between of this project below 5 €cent/kWh. consortium addresses in their research
theoretical and practical ultra-high Therefore, to achieve an optimised PV all topics required to manufacture
efficiency solar cells is the monolithic system (high efficiency, low cost and highly efficient CPV modules. This
multi-junction (MJ) approach, i.e. to low environmental impact), world-wide includes material issues, manufacturing
stack different materials on top of well-known partners in the field of and equipment aspects and production
challenges. University and research
institutes are working in close co-
operation with industry partners
in order to ensure fast industrial
exploitation of all results within the
whole value chain.

The central objective of CPVMatch is to
realise HCPV solar cells and modules
working at a concentration level ≥ 800x
with an efficiency of 48 % and 40 %,
respectively, with a low environmental
impact.

Development of record efficiencies of III-V multi-junction solar cells and CPV In order to develop the targeted
modules (cells: x*AM1.5d; modules: outdoor measurements, since 2014: high performing CPV solar cells and
Concentrator Standard Operating Conditions (CSOC) or Concentrator Standard Test modules, two strategies are adhered
Conditions (CSTC)). The trend lines show expected efficiencies from the Strategic to (both for the multi-junction solar cell
Research Agenda (SRA) developed by the European Photovoltaics Technology and module technology). The work
Platform in 2011. on cells and module technologies
is accompanied by a profound life-
cycle and environmental assessment
and the development of adapted
characterization methods of new multi-
junction cells and HCPV modules. The

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