H I G H E F F I C I E N C Y S Y S T E M S F O R L O W C O S T E L E C T R I C I T Y

A D V A N C E D T E C H N O L O G Y
Providing low cost, high output solar energy for solar rich and environmentally sensitive climates
Hi gh Ef f i ci ency Panel s
SolFocus Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) panels are highly efficient, converting about
30% of the incident sunlight into electricity, compared with best in class silicon PV panels
at 19%, average silicon PV panels at 14-15%, and best in class thin film at 11%. This high
efficiency is made possible through the use of advanced multi-junction solar cells, the
same type of cell technology that has been used in aerospace for decades. By combining
these high efficiency cells with advanced patented optics technology
which captures sunlight and concentrates it 650 times onto the cells,
SolFocus CPV systems are able to provide low cost energy in the
solar rich regions of the world. With SolFocus CPV technology,
solar energy is a cost-effective alternative to other energy sources
at utility scale or distributed generation installations.
Dependabl e Tr acki ng Syst ems
SolFocus dual-axis trackers are designed for simplicity and dependable operation. They use
field-proven gears and motors, and feature precision control systems to ensure they can
follow the suns path consistently and reliably. SolFocus systems have been sized to allow
continued operation in windy environments with minimal energy loss. During high wind
gusts the tracking system moves quickly into a safe stow position. Once high winds
subside they return to normal operation, allowing for minimal disruption to production.
In addition, each system has its own anemometer, eliminating a single point of failure in
the field and ensuring that only those systems affected by wind move to the stow position.
Opposi t e Page: Sol Focus CPV t echnol ogy pr ovi des sol ar power t o Vol kswagen i n cent r al Mexi co.
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Cell Efficiency Panel Efficiency
E
f
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%
Thin Film
Si-Based PV
CPV
9
-
1
3
%1
5
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9
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%
8
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1
1
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1
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9
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4:00 8:00 12:00 16:00 20:00
SolFocus CPV
Typical C-Si Fixed Tilt
Typical C-Si Fixed Tilt
E F F I C I E N T E N E R G Y G E N E R A T I O N
Least equipment required per megawatt hour, for low CapEx, installation, and maintenance costs
Hi gh Ener gy Pr oduct i on f r om Less I nst al l ed Equi pment
When building a solar plant using SolFocus CPV equipment, the high efficiency of the systems
means significantly less equipment needs to be installed to achieve the required energy
production. Less equipment results in lower capital investment, less equipment to install,
and fewer solar panels to maintain over the life of the plant. Compared with traditional silicon
PV, only 50% of the panel area is required to generate the same amount of energy. Compared
with average thin film technology, SolFocus CPV would require only 40% of the panel area.
Consi st ent , Dependabl e Ener gy Pr oduct i on
SolFocus CPV systems with their dual-axis tracking provide consistently high electricity
generation throughout the day. Shortly after sunrise the SolFocus systems achieve
full power and continue producing energy steadily until just before sunset. In addition
SolFocus CPV systems are minimally impacted by high temperatures. Whereas silicon
and thin film panel power will be adversely impacted by hot ambient temperatures,
the low temperature-coefficient of the SolFocus technology results in consistent high
performance even in very hot operating environments.
Gr eat est Amount of Hi gh- Val ue Ener gy
By delivering an energy production curve with very broad shoulders,
SolFocus CPV systems provide energy which is an excellent match
to peak delivery demand schedules. This means that not only is the
maximum amount of energy captured in the day, but the value of that
electricity is also maximized.
Opposi t e Page: One megawat t power pl ant at Vi ct or Val l ey Col l ege i n Vi ct or vi l l e, Cal i f or ni a was t he
f i r st commer ci al - scal e ( >1 MW) CPV pl ant i n t he West er n Hemi spher e.
Peak
Demand
Typical Daily Energy Output for SolFocus CPV
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4:00 8:00 12:00 16:00 20:00
L E S S I M P A C T T O T H E E A R T H
With a focus on sustainability, SolFocus CPV provides optimized land use and
the best cradle to cradle footprint of any renewable technology
Less Di sr upt i on of t he Land and Local Ecosyst em
With SolFocus CPV systems land use is optimized. Single-pole tracking systems cause
minimal impact only 0.5% of the land is directly impacted allowing the regrowth of
local indigenous vegetation. Sites do not have to be leveled or otherwise disrupted, no
permanent shadows are cast, and disruption of plant and wildlife ecosystems are minimized.
Ter r ai n Fl exi bi l i t y
SolFocus CPV systems can be deployed in a variety of terrains, from flat to hilly. Whereas
fixed-tilt and single-axis PV systems are limited to a maximum slope grade of
5%, SolFocus CPV can deploy on grades up to 20% four times the
slope and without significantly impacting geographic topography.
Hi gh Recycl abi l i t y and Best Cr adl e t o Cr adl e Foot pr i nt
SolFocus systems are manufactured primarily of glass, aluminum, and steel. This results
in 97% recyclability of the systems at the end of the products useful life. Energy consumption
in the production of SolFocus CPV systems is the lowest of all solar technologies providing
the fastest energy payback along with the lowest GHG intensity in manufacturing.
No Wat er Consumpt i on
Water consumption for the cooling of electricity generating plants
accounts for nearly half of water withdrawals globally. Unlike some solar
technologies, SolFocus CPV systems do not consume water in the gen-
eration of electricity with only a small amount used for cleaning panels.
Opposi t e Page: Vi ct or Val l ey Col l ege power pl ant one year af t er i nst al l at i on; nat ural desert
ecosyst em has been rest ored wi t hout i nt ervent i on.
FLAT LAND
5% GRADE
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Victor Valley College Plant at Project Completion
Comparison of Water Consumption per MWh
CSPWet
Cooled
800-1000gal
Nuclear Steam
CoolingTowers
720gal
Natural Gas
CombinedCycle
180gal
CSPDry
Cooled
105gal
SolFocus
CPVCleaning
4gal
F I E L D P R O V E N
With CPV systems deployed globally, extensive field data combined with advanced
reliability programs prove that SolFocus CPV technology delivers on its energy promise
Opposi t e Page: Wi t h syst ems i nst al l ed i n t wel ve count r i es and count i ng, Sol Focus of f er s a f i el d- pr oven
pr oduct wi t h val i dat ed per f or mance dat a.
Rel i abl e by Desi gn
For SolFocus CPV technology, reliability was the key element driving almost all design decisions.
Durable field-proven materials such as glass, aluminum, and steel are used in the manufacture of
SolFocus systems. The photovoltaic cells are robust, having operated for decades in the challenging
environment of satellites in space before being brought to earth for terrestrial solar applications.
Accelerated life testing and dedicated test site applications provide advanced reliability data on op-
eration in the challenging environments of high heat and humidity, high salt and contamination loads,
and large temperature variation. Through its ongoing, rigorous reliability program SolFocus is able to
assure that its system will produce energy continually over the 25-year life of the systems.
Cer t i f i ed t o Ri gor ous St andar ds
The industry standard for CPV system certification is IEC 62108. This standard, which is issued
by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), strives to assure that panels are suitable
for long-term operation in a wide range of outdoor climates. SolFocus CPV systems are certified
to the stringent performance and reliability test requirements of IEC 62108, and in fact were the
first CPV panels to receive this certification. All of SolFocus panels since 2008 have been certified
to IEC 62108. SolFocus systems also are certified to other electrical and mechanical standards
including CE and UL.
Maki ng El ect r i ci t y Ar ound t he Wor l d
SolFocus systems have been deployed on six continents in twelve countries. The companys global
strategy has allowed for the collection of extensive field data in diverse operating environments
which provides significant advantage in understanding product performance and energy modeling.
A T T R A C T I V E R E T U R N S
With all of the technology and operating benefits of SolFocus CPV
systems, in the end its about producing low cost electricity
Rapi d Depl oyment and Scal abi l i t y
SolFocus CPV plants provide fast time-to-cash with rapid deployment time. Start-up of the plant can
be phased to accelerate revenue generation. Plant size is flexible and can be scaled from <1 MW to
100+ MW while achieving economies of scale and maintaining low capital equipment investment.
Pr edi ct abl e Per f or mance
Of key importance in the financial analysis of a project is the ability to model energy generation.
SolFocus advanced energy modeling tools are thorough and accurate, with 2% accuracy in expected
versus actual energy production after multiple years on sun. With recent projects, energy modeling
has proven accurate within less than 1%. SolFocus energy models have been reviewed and validated
by independent third-party diligence studies to provide added confidence to project developers.
Lowest Cost Ener gy
SolFocus CPV provides the lowest cost of energy of any solar technology in the solar rich regions
of the world, and has low O&M costs which are the same level or lower than traditional PV systems.
Bankabl e Technol ogy
Projects utilizing SolFocus CPV have been financed by leading financial institutions. Installation
of power plants can be completed by world-class EPC contractors who provide assurance that
the plant will perform as expected. SolFocus systems carry a product warranty along with a 25-year
panel power performance warranty that is backed by insurance provider Munich Re. This relationship
positions the balance sheet strength of one of the worlds leading insurance providers behind the
SolFocus power warranty, to provide purchasers confidence in the security of their CPV investment.
Opposite Page: With high conversion efficiencies, high energy production, and low operating costs, SolFocus CPV
provides a very attractive investment for power plants in solar rich locations.
SolFocus, Inc. SF-024 | 10.11 Printed on recycled paper using soy based inks.
w w w . s o l f o c u s . c o m
SolFocus Headquarters | 1841 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95112, United States | Phone: +1 408.850.0300
European Office | Plaza de Santa Barbara 5 4 B, 28004 Madrid, Spain | Phone: +34 91.177.3900