The laboratory works on the entire concentrator photovoltaic supply chain by developing:

1. multi-junction photovoltaic devices, through the use of innovative materials (new semiconductor materials and metamaterials)
2. innovative optical solutions (patented mirror optics for high concentration)
3. technological solutions for improving the accuracy of solar tracking (patented pointing sensor integrated into the CPV module)

The laboratory is also working on:

1. cell and module characterization for the development of new methodologies, contributing to regulatory development (participation in the IEC committee and IEC WG7).
2. the collection and analysis of direct solar radiation for CPV system producibility estimates

Recently, the CPV laboratory has expanded its field of research to include the development of:

1. quick-response inverters
2. devices for thermo-photovoltaics and luminescent concentrators

To carry out the above activities, the laboratory has a wide range of instruments.

• New generation MOCVD reactor
• High-resolution X-ray diffractometer
• Capacitance-voltage measurements for dopant profile measurement
• Hall effect measurement system
• Photoluminescence at room temperature at three different wavelengths
• Scanning electron microscope with magnifications up to 1,000,000 with a system for high-resolution lithography
• Wet and plasma chemical etching systems
• Evaporators for metals and oxides
• Deposition system for co-sputtering
• Furnace for rapid heat treatment
• Quantum efficiency measurements for multi-junction cells
• Reflectivity measurements
• IV curve measurements in the solar simulator at concentrations of up to 5000 suns
• Measurement of temperature coefficients
• Dark IV characteristic measurements
• Outdoor IV characteristic measurement of CPV modules
• 2D measurement of CPV module acceptance angle
• Thermo-optic mismatch measurements
• Determination of operational temperature of MJ cells in CPV modules
• Direct radiation measurement in the range 300 nm to 1700 nm
• Wire bonder and dye attach systems
• Stylus profiler with nanometer resolution
• Software for device simulations in MATLAB environment