Design and Performance of the Amonix High Concentration Solar PV System

Amonix has designed, manufactured, installed, and tested over 500 kW of high concentrating PV systems based around a concentrating silicon cell that set a new world efficiency record in 1992. This paper describes the development of this product as well as the physical and operating characteristics of the system. The operating characteristics that make this system attractive for grid, distributed, and off-grid are discussed. Data is presented that demonstrates the high daily power generating capability and the energy performance of the concentrating PV system. Other attributes of the system are also discussed such as the automatic/unattended operation, the short installation time, etc. An array installed at Pomona, CA is described, it has operated unattended for over 3 years and is still producing power today.