Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

Concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) consists in using simple optical systems such as lenses to concentrate the sun light on a small surface photovoltaic cell. This results in the highest energy efficiency achievable so far for solar electricity generation. Current systems remain slightly too expensive for the moment to compete the lower efficiency but lower cost silicon flat panels. In this research project entitled "Materials and ARchitectures of Solar cells for CPV (MARS CPV)", we intend to develop the next generation of materials and solar cells that will enable to improve the CPV system performance/cost ratio and therefore improve the competitiveness of CPV. We will develop new classes of materials and solar cells that will reduce the system loss, and that are especially designed to fit the CPV systems developed by STACE. These cells will then be packaged and assembled in STACE modules for on-site testing and comparison with competing technologies. _x000d_Le photovoltaïque à concentration (CPV) consiste à utiliser un système optique comme une lentille pour concentrer la lumière du soleil sur une cellule photovoltaïque de petite surface. Cette technologie donne l'efficacité énergétique la plus élevée possib