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March 10, 2009

Amonix Introduces CPV System

California, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]

Amonix has released its newest concentrating photovoltaics (CPV) product, the Amonix 7700. WIth a capacity of 53 kilowatts (kW) per unit, the Amonix 7700 is designed for utility-scale deployment and is the first CPV system capable of converting one-fourth of the sun's energy into usable electricity, the company said.

"The Amonix 7700 is the largest and most powerful high concentration photovoltaic power generator in the world and leverages our fifteen years of field experience to reliably produce cost-competitive and emissions-free renewable energy."

-- Vahan Garboushian, CEO, Amonix

Utilizing multijunction solar cells, the Amonix 7700 is comprised of seven proprietary MegaModules that are built to maximum transportable size for rapid and cost-effective field deployment. Incorporating Amonix’s patented dual-axis tracker, the Amonix 7700 generates over 40% more energy in sunny climates than conventional fixed solar panels, according to the company.  

“The Amonix 7700 is the largest and most powerful high concentration photovoltaic power generator in the world and leverages our fifteen years of field experience to reliably produce cost-competitive and emissions-free renewable energy,” said Vahan Garboushian, Amonix's CEO.

RenewableEnergyWorld.com's Stephen Lacey will be speaking with Garboushian at the Renewable Energy World North America Conference and Expo this week in Las Vegas. Check back with our video coverage of that event to see the interview.

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Reader Comments (8)
 
No image available
March 10, 2009
I'm having trouble reconciling Amonix's claim that their Amonix 7700 "is the first CPV system capable of converting one-fourth of the sun's energy into usable electricity," when this other company claimed that they demonstrated 30% efficiency from CPV in 2006.
http://www.solarsystems.com.au/35pc%20receiver%20news%20item.pdf
Comment 1 of 8
No image available
March 11, 2009
Amonix' web site claims also that they are "...the world's first and leading designer and manufacturer of proprietary patented high-performance High Concentration Photovoltaic (HCPV) power generation systems for large commercial and utility scale applications".

As a matter of fact Alpha Solarco, Inc., now SolarTech, Inc., designed and installed the first full size commercial HCPV tracking system for large commercial scale applications in 1989. It was operated for 10 years in Nevada, and SolarTech, Inc. is still marketing it world wide. See www.sst-usa.net for details.
Comment 2 of 8
No image available
March 11, 2009
Amonix is likely talking about module efficiency. Subtract some module array mismatch losses, ohmic wire losses, temperature losses and inverter losses and you will be closer to 20%. But that is still an impressive number. The big question will be how much a kWh costs over 20 years (LCOE = levelized cost of electricity).
It is not inconceivable that Amonix, Concentrix, SolFocus, Sol3G, Soalr Systems and friends will break below wholesale electricity cost in the next 4 years. Economy of scale is a chicken and egg problem and can only be overcome with massive subsidies in the beginning. Maybe the stars begin to align for the HCPV community under Obama....
Comment 3 of 8
No image available
March 12, 2009
I also thought that Amonix was likely talking about module efficiency, until I read their brochure saying
"Powered by the world's most efficient multi-junction solar cells, the Amonix 7700 delivers an industry leading system efficiency of 25% (AC, post inverter),"
http://www.amonix.com/amonix_products.html

But Amonix's 25% doesn't lead Solar System's 30% by my definition of "leading".
Comment 4 of 8
No image available
March 13, 2009
The Solar Systems result is also impressive, but, in the link above, they are referring to the DC output of their "receiver" (the component shown in the photo), not the whole dish system, and not post-inverter AC.

"AC, post-inverter" is probably the best measure of a system's utility, but one problem with it is that it incorporates an inverter efficiency (whichever one they're using), which is really independent of any particular CPV technology being demonstrated.
Comment 5 of 8
No image available
March 13, 2009
Mr. Brice is correct on two points. First, yes as I understood my conversations with Amonix, the 25% is a post inverter AC efficiency. Secondly, yes that does take into account the inverter efficiency, but to me that "plug ready" number makes the most sense for comparison's sake as it is the lowest point on the efficiency waterfall. Another thing to note from the comments above: I'm not too surprised that Mr. Blazev is splitting hairs about SolarTech Inc. being "first", as it is his company (which I don't think he mentions in his post). The bottom line to this investor is that Amonix technology represents almost 75% of the world's installed HCPV. The Solar space is new enough and has enough potential for explosive growth, I would think that all the players would be worrying about advancements in technology and processes, not nitpicking each other's marketing claims.
Comment 6 of 8
No image available
March 14, 2009
I'd be interested to know what is the cell efficiency and the receiver efficiency, but I don't have any money to buy something like that, and I don't much enjoy talking to sales guys.
Comment 7 of 8
No image available
March 20, 2009
You are right, Joe, we should concentrate on the technology, not on history. Yes, Amonix is our competitor, with some impressive achievements, and I did not mean to diminish their importance by splitting hairs about who's done it first. Nor do I have anything against Amonix. On the contrary; they are on the right track and the solar energy field is so huge that we'll need 100 Amonix and that many SolarTech solar equipment manufacturers in the coming years, so let's get back to work...and no more nitpicking.

Best regards,

Anco S. Blazev
President, CTO
SolarTech, Inc.
480-381-7502
www.sst-usa.net
Comment 8 of 8
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