S l a t - A r r a y   
S o l a r   C o n c e n t r a t o r (SAC)

SVVTI, Inc. has developed a new low-cost concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module based on a novel reflective lens concept. The module employs our proprietary slat-array linear concentrator design to provide 200–300% better concentration than Fresnel lenses as well as uniform illumination of solar cells. The module is very lightweight yet sturdy and resistant to wind loads due to its "Venetian blinds" design.

The project has been funded by the California Energy Commission under its Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program and administered by Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). See the publication page here for more project details.

SAC concentrator is also ideally suited for a variety of solar thermal applications including process heat, combined heat and power generation, solar-driven air conditioning, water heating, etc.

Picture Gallery:

First-of-a-kind Slat-Array PV Concentrator

Improved 40x prototype with reinforced slats

Pilot-prototype CPV

PV receiver close-up

Sunlight concentrated by 40 times with no hot spots

Larger CPV prototype being assembled

Ultra-lightweight concentrator CPV module with 30 ft2 active aperture

500W CPV in test operation

Highly uniform focus at 20 suns  

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