CONCLUSIONS

The technical and economic feasibility of developing concentrating photovoltaic systems with low-level concentration and a metal foil collector-concentrator is outlined in this report. Significant weight reduction and potential cost saving over existing technologies is also demonstrated.

Although there is much support around the world for generating electricity from photovoltaics, existing flat-plate technologies are too expensive to be used on an industrial scale.

Concentrating sun-tracking collectors might dramatically reduce these costs because a much smaller area of photoconverter would be needed. The price reduction is mainly due to replacing expensive solar cells by low-cost metal foil reflectors.

Concentrating photovoltaic systems with low-level concentration emerge as an attractive option for reducing photovoltaic costs, as little changes have to be made in the manufacturing process of the standard one-sun cells.

The next logical step towards commercialization is to consider the construction of a research prototype for demonstration of power generation and establish database for larger units of commercial viability. Such a prototype could provide the necessary design, installation, operation and maintenance experience to justify further development of standardized concentrating PV power systems.