| The operation of the CPV is based on solar cells | | | | for the Diversification and Saving of Energy |
| made of compound semiconductors such as | | | | (IDEA), put up the first commercial installation of |
| gallium arsenide, using solar radiation with an | | | | its kind in Europe. |
| efficiency of 40%, double the conventional. | | | | Outside of Spain, but with Spanish participation, |
| However, as the materials needed are very | | | | the project NACIR is another interesting initiative |
| expensive, very small cells are installed (two | | | | in the field of CPV. Its aim is to use this |
| millimeters square and two inches square). To | | | | technology in the countries of North Africa, with |
| counter this small size, used various means such | | | | unbeatable position to take advantage of sunlight. |
| as mirrors, lenses, prisms, etc.., Which concentrate | | | | The project, launched this year, is scheduled to |
| sunlight on the cells and extended to a thousand | | | | run for four years and has a budget of over |
| times. | | | | seven million euros, partly financed by the |
| Concentration photovoltaic technology (CPV) uses | | | | European Commission. Among its main challenges |
| the solar radiation with an efficiency of 40%, | | | | highlighted in the installation of a system of |
| double that of conventional solar cells | | | | Morocco SVC connected to the mains, an |
| The CPV is one more example of the many | | | | autonomous system of water pumping and |
| practical applications that have space research. | | | | irrigation in Egypt and the creation of a database |
| This technology is used for years in the panels of | | | | to increase efficiency and reduce costs. |
| the satellites and spacecraft, where plates are | | | | The project also NACIR emerges through the |
| required to obtain maximum solar energy in the | | | | collaborative efforts of three bands: |
| minimum possible surface. United States (U.S.) was | | | | university-industry-institution, as part of the Solar |
| a pioneer in the creation of these cells, while from | | | | Energy Institute of the Polytechnic University of |
| the 80's decline was its drive to focus on the | | | | Madrid, the ISFOC, Fraunhoffer Institute for Solar |
| aerospace industry. | | | | Energy in Germany, companies Concentrix Solar |
| At present, the increasing development of | | | | (Germany) and Isofoton (Spain), the Moroccan |
| renewable energy is returning the interest in this | | | | National Electricity (ONE) and the Ministry of |
| technology. Proponents claim that with | | | | Water Resources of Egypt. Besides NACIR, |
| technological advancement and a proper legal | | | | ISFOC makers explained that they expect to |
| framework, the CPV can be competitive in a few | | | | realize over 2009 various collaborative projects in |
| years. For example, CPV Today, an initiative | | | | the Middle East, Asia and U.S. |
| created to generalize this scheme, envisaged that | | | | Disadvantages of concentration photovoltaics |
| the third generation of new cells reach an | | | | The drivers of the CPV today recognize that this |
| efficiency of 50% by 2015, thus helping to | | | | technology is still in a pre-condition. Also, the |
| decrease its cost by 62%. | | | | technology presents a number of characteristics |
| When the market these plates, but can be used | | | | that limit their generalization. For example, the cells |
| individually as conventional photovoltaic systems, | | | | function properly only on clear days and with |
| with a power of a few kilowatts (KW), its | | | | direct radiation, which reduces its use to optimally |
| promoters believe that today the main economic | | | | very sunny and located on the equator of the |
| output is the use on an industrial scale. In this | | | | planet. For example, since the ISFOC explained |
| case, the idea would be to build plants with a lot | | | | that one of the criteria for choosing Puertollano as |
| of solar power and thereby achieve above 100 | | | | a test bed was the high amount of direct |
| megawatts (MW). In this way, we could supply | | | | radiation. |
| the energy to the grid, or use it to produce | | | | However, the disadvantage of lack of sunlight |
| hydrogen, one of the great hopes for clean | | | | prevents the use of solar followers two axes high |
| energy. | | | | precision, but of course makes the final product. |
| Besides the U.S., Germany and Spain are the | | | | Moreover, while there are followers of |
| countries most advanced in the world in this field. | | | | concentration for its location on roofs, their |
| For example, in 2006 established the Institute of | | | | drivers do not consider that option is more |
| Concentration Photovoltaic Systems (ISFOC). | | | | interesting for this technology. Moreover, the |
| Headquartered in Puertollano (Ciudad Real) is an R | | | | efficiency losses of up to one thousand times the |
| & D center in the world pioneer who has | | | | sun's light on the hub are also important, although |
| launched, according to its makers, a pilot CPV | | | | lower than other solar technologies, such as the |
| installation of three MW. | | | | foil. |
| For his part, as those responsible for the ISFOC, | | | | As costs of CPV, ISFOC responsible for ensuring |
| there are several plants that are already operating | | | | that at present are similar to those of |
| in Spain are connected to the network with a | | | | conventional photovoltaics, although they estimate |
| total power of 15 MW. These plants are tested in | | | | that in the short term, technology development |
| the various technologies available, with a | | | | and market growth, coupled with legislation |
| concentration based on both silicon cells and in | | | | appropriate, will place the cost of generating |
| cells with high efficiency. For example, the Photon | | | | electricity under the CPV conventional |
| Guascor, with financial support from the Institute | | | | photovoltaics. |