Performance of a Novel Micro-CPV Module: Impact of Manufacturing Tolerances Based on a Two-Step Nested Monte Carlo Approach and Experimental Outdoor Results

• Main Authors: Kaiser, Elisa, Schottl, Peter, Steiner, Marc, Dorsam, Tobias, MartA-nez, Juan, Siefer, Gerald, Dimroth, Frank, Nitz, Peter, Wiesenfarth, Maike, Helmers, Henning
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: IEC Standards; Lenses; Manufacturing; Monte Carlo methods; Optical device fabrication; Optics; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic systems; Printed circuits; Prototypes
• ISSN: 2995-1755
• DOI: 10.1109/PVSC57443.2024.10749112

In micro concentrating photovoltaics (CPV) minimized components are used and promise significant cost reduction due to massive manufacturing parallelization. At Fraunhofer ISE, we have developed a micro-CPV module based on a circuit board on glass, 5-junction micro concentrator solar cells, spherical ball lenses and a silicone-on-glass primary lens optics. Various prototypes from single cell-lens units to panel-sized 24"×18" modules were fabricated and tested. Due to the small size of the components, process tolerances are of special relevance and can significantly affect module performance. We present a novel modeling approach to study this influence quantitatively based on a nested Monte Carlo optical and electrical simulation. Furthermore, we present experimental results of prototype modules measured outdoors. For a 60-cell submodule-class prototype a power rating according to IEC 62670-3 was performed and CSTC and CSOC efficiencies of 36.5% and 33.0% are demonstrated.