PRIDE

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PRIDE
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Photovoltaic Facades of Reduced Costs
Incorporating Devices with Optically
Concentrating Elements . PRIDE
A cost shared collaborative RD Contract between
BP Solar, University of Ulster, University of
Patras,and TFM. (Sub contractor ISET) funded
by DG XII of the European Commission under
contract JOR3 CT97 0128 Enerbuild Number
22 Co-ordinator Dr T M Bruton BP
Solar Presenter Dr MH Patterson BP Solar
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PRIDE Objectives

• To develop a PV module for building Integration
  incorporating a CPC concentrator to give 2x non
  tracked concentration
• To lower the module cost by 40
• To give a similar kWhr /m2 generation as a
  conventional flat plat module

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PRIDE - JOULE Project

• Truncated CPC to give 2.5X without tracking

Glass
Back plate
Solar Cell
CPC
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Solar Cell performance decreasing with narrower
cells
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Concentration increases cell efficiency
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Cost Evaluation showing only cost reduction in
favourable scenario 23
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Prototype PRIDE Module
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3mm CPC showing delamination and bending
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Results from vertical array at ISET for 3 mm
PRIDE Cells versus a flat plate module
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Deliverables

• Demonstration of LGBG cells capable of
  efficiencies over 16.5 at 2.5 x
• Fabrication of a CPC with solar cells giving an
  optical performance of better than 2x
  concentration.
• Testing of functional facade elements in Greece
  and Germany.
• Estimate of the production cost of the CPC module
  at 5 MWp per year manufacture.

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Conclusions

• fundamental innovation in the project was clearly
  demonstrated
• suitable for incorporation into building facades
  with an estimated cost saving of up to
  0.8Euro/Wp
• technological issues remain
• acrylic resins appear incompatible with the solar
  cells in extended thermal cycling and a better
  material must be found.
• The method of heat sinking the cells to the rear
  surface of the module has to be further
  developed.
• Because of the limited optical performance of the
  3mm cell CPC prototype, the expected enhanced
  light collection of the CPC design was not
  demonstrated.