VIVANTIVE
Solar Photovoltaics
(PV) Technology
PV is a field of diverse innovative
activity, from the solar modules in the DC segment to grid interfacing
electronics on the AC side. The
technology achievements to date, and further progress taking place, cover
more than just LCOE reductions e.g.:
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Reactive energy injections to stabilize and enhance grid
performance
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Trackers to deliver greater and more evenly distributed
output
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Advanced monitoring systems, including atmospheric
models
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Hybrid combinations with other energy sources to
optimally match demand
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Floating PV systems
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Performance in harsh environments, varying light
conditions
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Cell designs to harvest albedo light
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Efficient materials utilization
The speed and breadth of innovation shows
the massive scope for improving PV systems: offering further cost
reductions and new value-adding functionality.
The single most expensive component of a PV
system is the solar module. Solar
modules consist of interconnected cells - semiconductor sandwiches - the
electricity generation units of a PV system. The current market is dominated by
single-junction cells made of multi- or mono-crystalline silicon. Out of the thin-film contenders, the
cadmium telluride technology of Frst Solar is the most successful. A number of commercially available
single-junction solar cells can now exceed 20% power conversion
efficiencies at standard testing conditions. The achievable efficiencies are much
higher for multi-junction cells, can be doubled to over 40% but the
challenge is to accomplish it with a low-cost Bill-of-Materials and
industrially scalable manufacturing.
Project
planning and development:
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What is the anatomy of a PV system?
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Are the latest technical standards being followed for
each part?
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What are the most critical technical features in the
sustem architecture?
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How should these features be addressed in the legal
documentation?
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How to define the performance metrics for the PV system?
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How to tie liquidated damages to the performance
metrics?
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What quality assurance tests and protocols should be
planned?
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What are the various types of PV technologies now on
offer?
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How do these technologies suit the particular project
scenario?
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How to assess the solar system integrator’s proposed
plan?
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What are the various technical risks to avoid and
mitigate?
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What is likely to be the rate-limiting bottleneck in the
project plan?
New
venture due diligence:
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How does the new technology fit in the PV supply chain?
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What new advantages does it enable in a PV system?
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Are the technology targets viable for market penetration
and expansion?
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How to model the production economics for the
technology?
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How does the potential value it adds compare to its
investment cost?
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What are the competitive technologies for the same
function?
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How will the technology stay ahead of the game?
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Is the technology suitable to industrial scale-up?
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Are there any materials supply constraints?
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Are there any potential Intellectual Property risks?
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Are there any scientific red flags?
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Is the technology development team properly balanced?
