Optical element design for the retrofit of the world’s first concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) power plant

• DOI: 10.1063/1.5124207
• Publication Date: 2019-08-27T17:00:22Z
• Authors: Hussam Khonkar; Fahad Alharbi; Abdulaziz Alyahyah; David C. Miller; Ralf Leutz
• Keywords: Fresnel lens; Concentrator

The world's oldest, and still functional, Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) power plant originally rated at 350 kW, is situated 50 km from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. There are ongoing efforts to retrofit the modules with new secondary optics triple-junction cell devices. paper characterizes initial optical train, whose design non-conventional in its use of a two-area primary Fresnel lens. first generation receiver package described. Challenges beyond encountered, including tracking structural mechanics.