A novel micro-scale concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) concept is in development to integrate wafer-level solar cells with micro-optical concentrators. This hybrid micro-CPV approach combines the performance of CPV with the form factor and low system costs of flat panel PV to enhance system conversion efficiency and reduce material and fabrication costs. Previous work at Sandia demonstrated the concept and viability of micro-CPV, as a series of microsystems-enabled photovoltaics (MEPV) prototypes were generated using multi-junction, microscale solar cells with micro-optic concentrators [1-2]. Cell efficiencies and optical transmissions approaching 30% and 90% respectively were achieved, while concentrations of 100X and 200X were demonstrated in different prototypes [3].
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