CPV Technology

Photovoltaic (PV) cells made of crystalline silicon are already a mature and familiar technology that convert light into electricity for use in a variety of domestic and commercial applications. Like these conventional silicon PV cells, gallium arsenide multi-junction CPV cells convert photons into energy, but at a much higher energy conversion rate.

CPV systems harness the power of the sun further by incorporating a fresnel lens to concentrate sunlight onto the photovoltaic material and a high-precision solar tracker unit to follow the path of the sun. As a result, CPV systems produce more watts per solar panel and maximise energy production per hectare of occupied ground.

The Market for CPV

CPV is most effective in areas within the sunbelt regions of the world that have strong levels of direct sunlight. Energy demand in sunbelt countries represents two-thirds of global demand, but this great potential has not yet been exploited by renewables, because the challenges in sunbelt countries are different to those in non-sunbelt countries: high temperatures, water scarcity, bigger proportion of populated non-grid-connected / rural areas with poor energy access and fewer grid-connected areas with usually less stable power generation.

The Advantages of CPV

CPV solar conversion efficiency is two to three times that for conventional PV systems - CPV electricity is economically competitive in regions of high sunlight.

CPV operates at high temperatures without the severe power output degradation that affects conventional PV systems - CPV delivers more electricity in hot locations.

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) consumes water for cooling, whereas CPV requires no cooling water - CPV is compatible with the environment in regions of high water scarcity.

CPV is a scalable technology - CPV systems are practical, for both small & medium scale off-grid applications as well as larger utility scale on-grid applications.

Circadian's Differentiators

Circadian's CPV systems deliver world-class performance today. This has been achieved through Circadian's unique holistic system design approach, based on vertical integration. This approach enables the optimisation of the overall system efficiency, cost and reliability - the three key factors demanded by the marketplace.

Circadian's patented and exclusive cell technology continues to advance and the cells themselves are at the cutting edge of performance and efficiency. This class-leading cell efficiency combined with the holistic system design approach will enable Circadian's systems to break a new system efficiency barrier. By leveraging this technology, cell cost, which is a major driver of the whole system economics, will continue to reduce considerably. Furthermore, significant additional system cost reductions will be achieved through design-to-cost measures and economies of scale.