Amonix concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) solar power plants currently demonstrate AC efficiency of over 25% in the field. A model has been developed that predicts system performance based on the spectral response of the III–V multijunction cell corrected for environmental and atmospheric conditions. Historical meteorological data is used to predict future performance at target locations. With the cleaning schedule as the only adjustable variable, energy production has been within 2% of prediction after 9 months of operation. The model is used to improve performance, which is expected to increase by 10% in 2010. These improvements, combined with cost reductions in the MegaModule® design, put the Amonix CPV systems on track to achieve a levelized cost of electricity below US $100/MW‐hr by 2012. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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This paper describes an innovative design for a nominal 20 kW, integrated, high-concentration (260X) photovoltaic (IHCPV) system which has been developed for costeffective, utility-scale bulk power generation. This technology recently set a new world record for efficiency : 20.3% under STC (18.5%, >20 kW at PVUSA operating conditions). High-concentration PV systems offer several advantages for low cost power generation: (1) cost reduction through the optimum utilization of silicon, (2) higher conversion cell (hence system) efficiency at concentration vs. one-sun, and (3) inherently higher capacity factor in high direct normal insolation areas because of its built-in tracking. Previously little progress has been made in deploying HCPV for large-scale electricity generation because of: (1) the lack of a stable, high performance, high-concentration solar cell, and (2) the high cost associated with the PV modules, structure, tracking system, and ancillary equipment. With the arrival of a stable high performance cell developed by AMONIX, high-concentration PV systems can now be realized. A novel integrated system concept greatly reduces the costs associated with system hardware and labor by; (1) integrating the load bearing structure and the Fresnel lenslreceiver plate elements eliminating the need for separate modules, and (2) use of a manufacturing-worthy receiver plate which makes use of "circuit-board" construction techniques. A full-scale 20 kilowatt IHCPV system has been deployed, and test results which validate the system design are reported. The IHCPV system development is complete and only volume production, not technical breakthroughs, is needed to meet the cost goals of <$2.00/watt at multi-megawatt levels.