Paris-based Exosun, which designs and supplies solar trackers for ground-mounted utility-scale solar power plants, and concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) solar module maker Soitec of Bernin, France have joined forces to offer a new CPV system. Comprising an Exosun tracker holding 18-24 Soitec CPV modules, the CX S540 model delivers output per unit of up to 61.2kW. Already being sold by both firms, it will be used in the majority of CPV projects that the French Ministry of Energy selected at the end of the second call to tender for large-scale photovoltaic installations issued in March 2013 by the French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE, Commission de Régulation de l'Energie).
Exosun and Soitec have combined their expertise over the last two years to develop the product. Exosun designed and developed dual-axis solar trackers using a patented control system to give tracking precision of 0.1°. The resultant Exotrack CPV combines technical and economic performance to exploit the full potential of Soitec's CPV modules. The drive mechanism, parts tolerance and assembly procedures have been designed to be practical, flexible and modular under any large-scale installation. The trackers are said to be simple, fast and easy to install and maintain.
Soitec, meanwhile, developed modules achieving up to 31.8% efficiency. Using Fresnel lenses (manufactured using silicone on glass), light is concentrated 500 times before it reaches the triple-junction cells. The use of highly resistant materials such as glass and metal ensures robustness and durability of the modules, it is said.
Combining the performance of the Exosun trackers and Soitec modules, CX S540 systems maximize power generation while optimizing the footprint and keeping the height down to 4.5m (under 15 feet).
"The call to tender relating to ground-mounted photovoltaic installations of more than 250kWp issued by the French energy regulator was implemented by the French Government in order to build a solar industry in France, in particular by encouraging innovative technologies like CPV with a total volume of at least 60MW," comments Jean-No?l de Charentenay, Exosun's VP of business development. "This partnership with Soitec illustrates the way in which two French industry leaders contribute to forming a strong French photovoltaic sector,," he adds.
"The projects that will be built in France are part of the country's energy transition and will serve as a benchmark for this industry of the future, enabling it to win market share internationally," believes Jose Beriot, VP of solar projects development with Soitec's Solar Energy division.
