The first prototype of the hybrid CPV-T ANU-Chromasun micro-concentrator has been installed at The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. The results of electrical and thermal performance of the micro-concentrator system, including instantaneous and full-day monitoring, show that the combined efficiency of the system can exceed 70%. Over the span of a day, the average electrical efficiency was 8% and the average thermal efficiency was 50%.

A unique, linear, low-concentration, hybrid 'micro concentrator' (MCT) system concept has been developed specifically for urban rooftop environments. The light weight, low-profile form factor satisfies aesthetic demands for general rooftop solar technologies, and is a marked departure from conventional linear concentrator systems. Valuable thermal energy, normally of nuisance value only, and usually wasted by conventional CPV, is extracted via a heat transfer fluid. The recovered thermal energy can be used for applications ranging from domestic hot water through to space heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and process heat. The system can be modularly configured for hybrid concentrating PV-Thermal (CPV-T) or thermal-only operation to meet specific customer demands. At a 20x concentration ratio, system output of 500 Wpe and 2 kWpt is expected, for a combined system efficiency of up to 75%. The MCT is constructed from mature, proven technologies and industry-standard processes. An installed system cost of less than US$2IWpe is targeted, and commercial availability is expected to commence in 20 11.

Chromasun Inc. and The Australian National University have developed a low-concentration, linear, hybrid micro-concentrator (MCT) system suitable for urban rooftop installation. The system produces both electrical and thermal power, integrating the functionality of separate flat plate photovoltaic and solar hot water systems. The MCT system utilises industry-standard components, including modified mono-crystalline silicon one-sun solar cells, commonly used in flat panel applications. The MCT manufacturing processes are designed around low-cost methods, and tap directly into existing economies of scale. Initial test results without any system optimisation has demonstrated an electrical output of more than 300 W, and a thermal output of more than 1500 W at 950 W/m 2 DNI.

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