Vahan Garboushian By ksdickson Apr 30, 2013
Amonix converts 36% of direct sunlight into electricity
Companies and organisations mentioned: Amonix, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, SolarJunction, Boeing Spectrolab
CPV Intelligence Brief 17 – 30 April 2013
Amonix converts 36% of direct sunlight into electricity
California-based Amonix, a designer and manufacturer of concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) solar power systems, has converted more than 36% of direct sunlight into electricity.
A module showcasing Amonix’s latest-generation CPV technology has been in outdoor testing from late February to April of this year. During this period, the Amonix module demonstrated a peak operating efficiency of 36.2% measured on March 14, 2013 with a DNI of 876 W/m2, an ambient temperature of 16°C and instantaneous wind speed of 1 m/s, breaking the previous 34.2% peak efficiency set by Amonix in May 2012.
Over the entire testing period, the Amonix module earned a National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) outdoor efficiency rating of 34.9%, a new world record, under international standard operating conditions for concentrator photovoltaics of 900 W/m2, 20°C ambient temperature and 2m/s wind speed, breaking the previous 33.5% rated efficiency record also set by Amonix in May 2012.
The module uses Boeing Spectrolab 40% high efficiency solar cells and Amonix’s proprietary CPV technology to achieve world record performance.