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HCPV efficiency of 33.9 percent reached

Semprius has recorded an efficiency of 33.9 percent on one of its high concentrating photovoltaic (HCPV) modules. The results have been verified by the Instituto de Energia Solar (IES) at the University of Madrid, in Spain.

Semprius' HCPV modules will enter into pilot production in the US in the second half of 2012.

Semprius

The North Carolina, U.S.-based solar company, which has been working with the Spanish Institute of Concentration Photovoltaic Systems (ISFOC) and the University of Madrid, says its latest efficiency results represent a "world record".

In a statement released, it commented, "For the first time a photovoltaic module converted more than one-third of the energy of the solar irradiation on the module area into usable electricity. Depending on the specific location and irradiation, the HCPV modules can deliver an energy output per square meter that is two times higher than common polycrystalline modules."

Last June, Siemens acquired around a 16 percent share in Semprius. At the time, Martin Schulz, VP of Photovoltaics in the Renewable Energy Division of Siemens Energy told pv magazine that a five megawatt pilot HCPV production line would be established during the course of 2012. "More capacity can quickly be provided by additional production facilities, depending on market demand and development," he said. A spokesperson for Siemens confirmed today that this is still the case.

Furthermore, according to today’s statement, the pilot line will ramp up in Henderson, North Carolina in the second half of the year. The spokesperson could not say who will deliver the production equipment, however.

In addition to establishing the manufacturing facility, Semprius is said to be completing the construction of a pilot plant there, "to validate the technology for larger installations". Meanwhile, Siemens says it will work on its research and development activities, which include the optimization of such system components as trackers, field design and inverters.