Novel optical approach for concentrating light in micro-CPV

Micro-concentrator photovoltaics (micro-CPV) is an evolution of conventional CPV, which has surged in recent years and has already received major international funding. Micro-CPV uses the downscaling of cells and optics to achieve benefits over conventional CPV technology. We present a solid single-stage concentrator optic, whose height and optical path would have been too large in conventional CPV sizes. Downscaling cell size to a few hundred microns reduces thickness and material volume of the optic proportionally, thus enabling high optical efficiency, high concentration ratio and low cost. A broadband optical efficiency of 81% can be obtained at a 1000X concentration ratio on a 100 µm solar cell including Fresnel losses and material absorption.