Brian Robertson: Concentrating Photovoltaics Will Lead Solar Power Technology

Concentrating photovoltaic technology is a power generation technology that integrates solar energy onto small photovoltaic surfaces through an optical system, and then uses the photovoltaic effect to convert light energy into electrical energy.

Amonix, headquartered in California, USA, is the first concentrator photovoltaic manufacturer to introduce multi-junction solar cell technology in the aviation industry to the civilian industry. At a conference, the reporter was encouraged by the company's description of the future of the concentrating photovoltaic industry.

After the meeting, Amonix CEO Brian Robertson was interviewed.

Q: What are the advantages of concentrating photovoltaic power generation compared with ordinary photovoltaic power generation?

Robertson: Compared with traditional photovoltaic power generation, concentrating photovoltaic power generation has obvious advantages. Concentrating photovoltaic power generation saves more land resources than other solar power generation models. Under the same footprint, concentrating photovoltaic power generation can generate twice as much electricity as conventional solar photovoltaic power generation. This high conversion rate is mainly due to the use of dual-axis tracking technology for concentrating photovoltaics to maximize the use of sunlight at peak times. At present, there is limited room for improvement in the efficiency of photovoltaic power generation, and the efficiency of concentrating photovoltaic power generation is still rapidly increasing. In a sunny and dry environment, concentrated photovoltaic energy costs are lower.

Q: As a leader in the concentrating photovoltaic industry, how does Amonix maintain its leading position?

Robertson: In fact, there are more than 100 companies in the world that are concentrating solar photovoltaic technology, but most companies are established after 2005. Amonix has been established for nearly 21 years and has a 16-year history in the concentrating photovoltaic industry. The company is currently engaged in the research and development of the 8th generation of products. Such a long history and research depth is difficult for other concentrating photovoltaic companies to reach. Currently, Amonix products account for 70% of the global market. By the end of this year, the proportion is expected to increase to 84%. This large proportion once again proves the reliability of the Amonix system. From solar cells to optical tracking systems, we continuously improve every detail of solar concentrating photovoltaic technology to increase the conversion rate of concentrating photovoltaics. Amonix's multi-junction solar cells have produced more than 40% efficiency and are the industry's highest efficiency.

Q: How is Amonix's system used in the United States?

Robertson: Most of the concentrating photovoltaic systems in the US market use Amonix's systems, including the two largest concentrating photovoltaic power plants in the United States, a 5MW project in New Mexico and a 2MW project in Arizona. In addition, the United States, under construction, will become the world's largest concentrator photovoltaic power generation project. That is, the 30MW concentrating photovoltaic power generation project built in Alamosa, Colorado will also use our system. In addition to being the world leader in installed capacity, we also established an equipment line with an annual capacity of 150MW in Nevada earlier this year.

Q: It seems that Amonix has developed very well in the United States. What does Amonix think of China's concentrating photovoltaic market?

Robertson: Amonix is ​​booming in sunny and dry areas, and China has a similar geographical area. China is advocating the development of rich solar energy resources, which provides a good opportunity for the development of concentrating photovoltaics in China. Our current share of China's concentrated photovoltaic market is still very small, with approximately 1MW installed. While Amonix is ​​leading the world in concentrated photovoltaic power generation, I believe that Amonix will have extensive cooperation with China.

Q: In the process of promoting concentrating photovoltaic power generation, where does the biggest problem come from? Is it technical or cost?

Robertson: Because converging photovoltaic power generation is a rapidly developing technology, it is a process that the market accepts and adopts this technology. This is the main difficulty in promoting concentrating photovoltaic power generation. However, with the development and application of utility-scale concentrator photovoltaic power generation devices, the supply chain will be increasingly perfect and the cost will be further reduced. Everyone will realize that in a dry and sunny climate, concentrating photovoltaic technology is the most efficient and will be willing to adopt this mode of power generation.

Q: In the context of some solar companies in the United States filing for bankruptcy, do you think the prospects of concentrating photovoltaics will be affected?

Robertson: First, the U.S. government has a 30% investment tax concession for concentrating photovoltaic power generation. More importantly, CPV has its own advantages, which will make it develop better. The utility-scale renewable energy solution system requires a diversified portfolio of investment methods, and solar concentrating photovoltaic power generation models with high conversion rates, low floor space, and water saving are indispensable. Fortunately, our company has already occupied a considerable market share in concentrating photovoltaic power generation. The cost of electricity for concentrating photovoltaics in sunny and dry areas can rival that of conventional energy generation and will continue to decline. I believe that with high conversion rates and the ultimate minimum level of energy costs, Concentrated Photovoltaics will become the leading solar technology model.