SOME RESULTS OF THE EUCLIDES PHOTOVOLTAIC CONCENTRATOR PROTOTYPE

A photovoltaic concentration army prototype of 60.4 m(2) of aperture i s described, It uses reflecting linear optics kept in focus by means o f horizontal single-axis tracking. All its cells are connected in seri es so as to avoid laborious field interconnection work. This prototype is being followed bg a demonstration plant of 3479 m(2) of aperture. The prototype performances are presented and fitted to a model that al lows their prediction under conditions different from those of measure ment, On the basis of this model the demonstration plant performances ape anticipated. A cost analysis is presented based on oar best estima tes after the erection of the present prototype. If shows that the cos t of the electricity, in medium or large size installation, should be strongly reduced with respect to that produced by flat modules, (C) 19 97 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.