Findings from CPV Today's Concentrated Photovoltaics Industry Report 2010 show that the CPV industry has emerged stronger from a challenging 2009. Both new projects and the entry of more players into the CPV market indicate a renewed interest in this cutting edge technology.
The most ambitious project of all is to be sited in Taiwan, where Guascor Foton and Ya-Fei Green Energy are set to install a 100% CPV powered 59 MW plant. Were this project to materialize, it would become the largest solar PV installation worldwide, setting a milestone for the potential of CPV as a large-scale power generation technology. Elsewhere, Solfocus will add another project to its portfolio by beginning construction on a new 8.5 MW in Portugal, and Compsolar has announced that it will complete a 5 MW project in China.
The number of CPV module manufacturers has grown from 47 to 54 since June 2009. Many of these new entrants are exploring new approaches to CPV such as rooftop installations and innovative optics that reduce the need for precise tracking systems in CPV. Both these innovations promise to improve the standing of CPV by reducing costs and opening up the commercial and residential rooftop market segments for CPV.
Another indicator of renewed enthusiasm for this sector is the entry of new cell manufacturers, amongst which feature new start-ups such as Cyrium, Quantasol and Solar Junction as well as established semiconductor companies such as RFMD and JDSU.
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