News Article
CPV Doing Well In Grid
Soitec reports excellent performance of CPV system in Jordan
Soitec reports excellent results for the company's concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) system in Jordan, which is connected to the nation's electrical grid. The system, which was jointly installed with Azur Space Solar Power, ran continuously through the extremely hot summer and fall months, demonstrating full reliability and excellent results under the most demanding conditions. Soitec's Concentrix CPV systems are also running at other locations in the MENA (Middle East and North African) region. The company's technology, which is designed for use by large-scale solar power plants in hot and arid regions, provides the highest efficiency of all solar technologies available. The systems are modular, flexible and have ultra-low water consumption. Their proven robustness and excellent results confirm their readiness for competitive electricity production and large-scale deployment in the MENA region.
After more than six months of operation, the system in Jordan provides an example confirming the excellent results of CPV technology in conditions of extreme heat, sunshine and dust with an average solar-to-grid efficiency reached 21%, with daily peak efficiencies regularly reaching 25% and beyond (2 to 3 times higher than standard photovoltaic installations, even in ambient temperatures of up to 45°C). The system has been running on a continuous basis, with 100% uptime, demonstrating its reliability in a harsh environment. The measurement data confirm that the annual specific electricity yield will be as high as 2500 kWh/kW of installed nominal AC power. This extraordinary high value is a result of the site's high level of direct solar irradiation in combination with the great performance of the system.
Beyond the Jordanian system, Soitec has five CPV systems installed in Egypt (in the Wadi El Natrun desert valley, near Cairo), as well as a system connected to the grid in Oman (at the Ar Rusayl industrial park near Muscat). The company is also involved in Abu Dhabi's Masdar initiative to demonstrate the value of CPV technology for the region.
"Very high performance even under very high temperatures, and the fact that our systems require no water at all for cooling: these are the two advantages to highlight in the MENA region," says Hansjörg Lerchenmüller, Senior VP Customer Group of the Solar Energy Business Unit of Soitec. "We have proven with real systems that our technology is best suited for the region, and we are ready for high-volume deployment."
Due to the technology's high scalability, CPV power plants can be commissioned in phases, thereby shortening the time to operation. In fact, the first units installed and connected to the grid can immediately start to produce energy, even while the installation of subsequent systems is in progress. Once operational, CPV's peak production hours align with the region's peak electricity demands from air conditioning.
After more than six months of operation, the system in Jordan provides an example confirming the excellent results of CPV technology in conditions of extreme heat, sunshine and dust with an average solar-to-grid efficiency reached 21%, with daily peak efficiencies regularly reaching 25% and beyond (2 to 3 times higher than standard photovoltaic installations, even in ambient temperatures of up to 45°C). The system has been running on a continuous basis, with 100% uptime, demonstrating its reliability in a harsh environment. The measurement data confirm that the annual specific electricity yield will be as high as 2500 kWh/kW of installed nominal AC power. This extraordinary high value is a result of the site's high level of direct solar irradiation in combination with the great performance of the system.
Beyond the Jordanian system, Soitec has five CPV systems installed in Egypt (in the Wadi El Natrun desert valley, near Cairo), as well as a system connected to the grid in Oman (at the Ar Rusayl industrial park near Muscat). The company is also involved in Abu Dhabi's Masdar initiative to demonstrate the value of CPV technology for the region.
"Very high performance even under very high temperatures, and the fact that our systems require no water at all for cooling: these are the two advantages to highlight in the MENA region," says Hansjörg Lerchenmüller, Senior VP Customer Group of the Solar Energy Business Unit of Soitec. "We have proven with real systems that our technology is best suited for the region, and we are ready for high-volume deployment."
Due to the technology's high scalability, CPV power plants can be commissioned in phases, thereby shortening the time to operation. In fact, the first units installed and connected to the grid can immediately start to produce energy, even while the installation of subsequent systems is in progress. Once operational, CPV's peak production hours align with the region's peak electricity demands from air conditioning.
