This project will develop a high concentration receiverplate manufacturing process that will reduce production costs andhave sufficient volume throughput to sustain multi-megawattsystem deployment rates. The present standard receiver plateconsists of a 30" X 40" aluminum sheet that is bonded to a coppercircuit with a dielectric barrier. The copper circuit must beprecisely located and etched to provide registration for thehigh-concentration solar cells, secondary optical elements, andcircuit interconnects. The existing process, which uses laminarpresses and chemical etch techniques, is costly and laborintensive. Phase I activities include stamping, rolling, andautoclave lamination.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee: This project will result in a receiverplate manufacturing process that will significantly lowerproduction costs and enable market entry for large scalephotovoltaic electrical power generation in high concentrationsystems.
