Scalability of CPV towards multi-gigawatt deployment

Abstract

In this work we assess to which extent the manufacturing of CPV components and systems is scalable towards deployment on the level of several GW of annual new installations. The problem of scalability is analyzed on two levels: A. short-term scalability, as a function of the industry's capability for scaling up its annual manufacturing capacity, and B. long-term scalability, as a function of availability of materials resources and reserves. Both levels are investigated throughout the industry's value-chain: from Germanium wafers towards installed CPV systems. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.