It is believed that one of the most promising technological chains in the field of photovoltaic generation is that of high concentration photovoltaics (CPV), using materials based on elements from groups III and V of the periodic table. This type of technology, which makes it possible to achieve very high conversion efficiencies and, above all, to use extremely small quantities of high-quality semiconductor material for the same installed power, still suffers from a cost that is not yet very competitive.
Even in the absence of incentives, the desired cost reduction can be achieved by working on all major parts of the system. , From this perspective, the research activities of the project, included in the three-year research plan 2012-2014, cover the entire production chain, starting from the development and production in the laboratory of multi-junction cells aimed at achieving high conversion efficiencies with high concentration factors (>700 suns), including optical light concentration devices and the assembly of the modules, also with consideration to the use of technologies that allow cost reduction with a view to production on an adequate scale. The research activities also included the development of cell and module characterization techniques, given the innovative nature of these systems, and the experimental collection of direct radiation data, including spectral characteristics, on a national scale.
A strong interaction with the national and international context and a significant support to the standardization activities of photovoltaic components completed and characterized the activities carried out in the project.