About SolFocus Brochure 8 5x8 5_2011 1005_Final (SPI) Electronic

8/10/2019 About SolFocus Brochure 8 5x8 5_2011 1005_Final (SPI) Electronic

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H I G H E F F I C I E N C Y S Y S T E M S F O R L O W C O S T E L E C T R I C I T Y


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A D V A N C E D T E C H N O L O G Y

Providing low cost, high output solar energy for solar rich and environmentally sensitive climates


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H i g h E f f i c i e n c y P an e l s

SolFocus Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) panels are highly effi cient, converting about

30% of the incident sunlight into electricity, compared with best in class si licon PV panels

at 19%, average silicon PV panels at 14-15%, and best in class thin fi lm at 11%. This high

efficiency is made possible through the use of advanced multi-junction solar cells, the

same type of cell technology that has been used in aerospace for decades. By combining

these high efficiency cells with advanced patented optics technology

which captures sunlight and concentrates it 650 times onto the cells,

SolFocus CPV systems are able to provide low cost energy in the

solar rich regions of the world. With SolFocus CPV technology,

solar energy is a cost-effective alternative to other energy sources

at utility scale or distributed generation installations.

D e p e n d a b l e T r a c k i n g S y s t e m s

SolFocus dual-axis t rackers are designed for simplicity and dependable operation. They use

field-proven gears and motors, and feature precision control systems to ensure they can

foll ow the suns path consistently and reli ably. SolFocus systems have been sized to allow

continued operation in windy environments with minimal energy loss. During high wind

gusts the tracking system moves quickly into a safe stow position. Once high winds

subside they return to normal operation, allowing for minimal disruption to production.

In addition, each system has its own anemometer, eliminating a single point of fail ure in

the field and ensuring that only those systems affected by wind move to the stow position.

Opposi te Page: So lFocus CPV techno logy provides so lar power to Vo lkswagen in centra l Mexico .

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Cell Efficiency Panel Efficiency

Efficiency%

Thin Film

Si-Based PV

CPV

9-13% 1

5-22%

39-41%

8-11% 1

5-19%

29-31%

SolFocus CPV


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E F F I C I E N T E N E R G Y G E N E R A T I O N

Least equipment required per megawatt hour, for low CapEx, installation, and maintenance costs


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H i g h E n e r g y P r o d u c t i o n f r o m L e s s I n s t a l l e d E q u i p m e n t

When building a solar plant using SolFocus CPV equipment, the high efficiency of the systems

means significantly less equipment needs to be installed to achieve the required energy

production. Less equipment results in lower capital investment, less equipment to install,

and fewer solar panels to maintain over the life of the plant. Compared with traditional silicon

PV, only 50% of the panel area is required to generate the same amount of energy. Compared

with average thin film technology, SolFocus CPV would require only 40% of the panel area.

C o n s i s t e n t , D e p e n d a b l e E n er g y P r o d u c t i o n

SolFocus CPV systems with their dual-axis tracking provide consistently high electri city

generation throughout the day. Shortly after sunrise the SolFocus systems achieve

full power and continue producing energy steadily until just before sunset. In addition

SolFocus CPV systems are minimally impacted by high temperatures. Whereas silicon

and thin film panel power will be adversely impacted by hot ambient temperatures,

the low temperature-coefficient of the SolFocus technology results in consistent high

performance even in very hot operating environments.

G r e a t e s t A m o u n t o f H i g h - V a l u e E n e r g y

By delivering an energy production curve with very broad shoulders,

SolFocus CPV systems provide energy which is an excellent match

to peak delivery demand schedules. This means that not only is the

maximum amount of energy captured in the day, but the value of that

electricity is also maximized.

Opposi te Page: One megawatt power p lan t a t V ic tor Va l ley Co l lege in V ictorv i l le , Ca l i fo rn ia was the

f i rs t commercia l -sca le (>1 MW) CPV p lan t in the Western Hemisphere .

Peak

Demand

Typical Daily Energy Output for SolFocus CPV

4:00 8:00 12:00 16:00 20:00


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L E S S I M P A C T T O T H E E A R T H

With a focus on sustainability, SolFocus CPV provides optimized land use and

the best cradle to cradle footprint of any renewable technology


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L e s s D i s r u p t i o n o f t h e L a n d a n d L o c a l Ec o s y s t e m

With SolFocus CPV systems land use is optimized. Single-pole t racking systems cause

minimal impact only 0.5% of the land is directly impacted allowing the regrowth of

local indigenous vegetation. Sites do not have to be leveled or otherwise disrupted, no

permanent shadows are cast, and disruption of plant and wildl ife ecosystems are minimized.

T e r r a i n F l e x i b i l i t y

SolFocus CPV systems can be deployed in a variety of terrains, f rom flat t o hill y. Whereas

fixed-tilt and single-axis PV systems are limited to a maximum slope grade of

5%, SolFocus CPV can deploy on grades up to 20% four times the

slope and without significantly impacting geographic topography.

H i g h R e c y c l a b i l i t y a n d B e s t C r a d l e t o C r a d l e F o o t p r i n t

SolFocus systems are manufactured primarily of glass, aluminum, and steel. This results

in 97% recyclability of the systems at the end of the products useful l ife. Energy consumption

in the production of SolFocus CPV systems is the lowest of all solar technologies providing

the fastest energy payback along with the lowest GHG intensity in manufacturing.

N o W a t er C o n s u m p t i o n

Water consumption for the cooling of electricity generating plants

accounts for nearly half of water withdrawals globally. Unlike some solar

technologies, SolFocus CPV systems do not consume water in the gen-

eration of electricity with only a small amount used for cleaning panels.

Opposite Page: Victor Val ley Col lege power plant one year after instal lation; natural desert

ecosystem has been restored without intervention.

FLAT LAND

5%GRADE

20%GRADECPV

PV

Comparison of Water Consumption per MWh

CSPWet

Cooled

800-1000 gal

Nuclear Steam

Cooling Towers

720 gal

Natural Gas

CombinedCycle

180 gal

CSPDry

Cooled

105 gal

SolFocus

CPV Cleaning

4 gal


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F I E L D P R O V E N

With CPV systems deployed globally, extensive field data combined with advanced

reliability programs prove that SolFocus CPV technology delivers on its energy promise


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Opposi te Page: Wi th systems insta l led in twe lve countr ies and count ing , So lFocus o f fe rs a f ie ld -proven

product wi th va l ida ted per fo rmance data .

R e l i a b l e b y D e s i g n

For SolFocus CPV technology, reliability was the key element driving almost all design decisions.

Durable field-proven materials such as glass, aluminum, and steel are used in the manufacture of

SolFocus systems. The photovoltaic cells are robust, having operated for decades in the challenging

environment of satellites in space before being brought to earth for terrestrial solar applications.

Accelerated life testing and dedicated test site applications provide advanced reliability data on op-

eration in the challenging environments of high heat and humidity, high salt and contamination loads,

and large temperature variation. Through its ongoing, rigorous reliability program SolFocus is able to

assure that its system will produce energy continually over the 25-year life of the systems.

C e r t i f i e d t o R i g o r o u s S t a n d ar d s

The industry standard for CPV system certification is IEC 62108. This standard, which is issued

by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), stri ves to assure that panels are suitable

for long-term operation in a wide range of outdoor cl imates. SolFocus CPV systems are certi fied

to the stringent performance and reliabil ity test requirements of IEC 62108, and in fact were the

first CPV panels to receive this certi fication. All of SolFocus panels since 2008 have been certif ied

to IEC 62108. SolFocus systems also are certi fied to other electrical and mechanical standards

including CE and UL.

M a k i n g E l e c t r i c i t y A r o u n d t h e W o r l d

SolFocus systems have been deployed on six continents in twelve countries. The companys global

strategy has allowed for the collection of extensive field data in diverse operating environments

which provides significant advantage in understanding product performance and energy modeling.


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A T T R A C T I V E R E T U R N S

With all of the technology and operating benefits of SolFocus CPV

systems, in the end its about producing low cost electricity


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R a p i d D e p l o y m e n t a n d S c a l a b i l i t y

SolFocus CPV plants provide fast time-to-cash with rapid deployment time. Start-up of the plant can

be phased to accelerate revenue generation. Plant size is flexible and can be scaled from


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SolFocus, Inc. SF-024 | 10.11Printed on recycled paper using soy based inks.

w w w . s o l f o c u s . c o m

SolFocus Headquarters | 1841 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95112, United States | Phone: +1 408.850.0300

European Office | Plaza de Santa Barbara 5 4 B, 28004 Madrid, Spain | Phone: +34 91.177.3900

Documents

About SolFocus Brochure 8 5x8 5_2011 1005_Final (SPI) Electronic