Date: 2nd Sept 2010

JDSU introduces CPV cells to generate electrical power

JDSU has released the concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) cells that are designed to capture concentrated sunlight within solar panels for electrical power generation.

Concentrated photovoltaic is a cost effective technology that is emerging as one of the ideal solutions for solar power generation. According to the "CPV Industry Report 2010," CPV system installations in the US will represent $70 million in 2010 and are expected to grow to more than $3 billion by 2015. The CPV market is initially being driven by use in power plants at college campuses, shopping centers and industrial buildings that generate power in the 500 kilowatts (kW) to 10 megawatts range, compared to residential roof-top housing market installations that use about 5kW per home.

"Electrical power needs will skyrocket over the next twenty years, requiring new forms of power generation that are more efficient, affordable and environmentally friendly," said Alan Lowe, president of Communications and Commercial Optical Products at JDSU. "The CPV cell from JDSU brings a viable technology to the solar market that leverages our strong history of semiconductor experience and volume manufacturing expertise."

"Initial demonstrations of CPV technology have proven successful and now larger projects are starting to ramp," said Greg Sheppard, chief research officer at analyst firm iSuppli. "CPV installations will represent 100 megawatts in 2011 and we expect that number to grow to one gigawatt by 2015. CPV will have a particular advantage in sunny regions, such as in the desert, over other solar technologies."

JDSU CPV cells are optimized to capture different parts of the sun's spectrum in multiple junctions, resulting in conversion efficiencies approaching 40 percent. The CPV cells are specifically designed to capture concentrated sunlight at 500 to 1,000 times its original power. The CPV cells also feature a small footprint, improved temperature performance, less use of semiconductor materials, and lower cost per kW compared to other photovoltaic technologies.