Simulation and fabrication of flat-plate concentrator modules

A flat-plate concentrator (FPC) module has been proposed and developed for cost reduction of PV modules. The FPC has V-grooved rear reflectors on spaces between adjacent cells. To find appropriate design parameters, yearly optical performance is simulated by using meteorological data and introducing a performance index. As a result of the simulation, it is shown that the FPC module can reduce occupation area of solar cells to 75% compared with that of a conventional module, although its module area increases to 1.16 times. Several prototypes are fabricated and measured under a solar simulator. The measured results are somewhat lower than the simulated ones, but generally show the validity of the simulation. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.