PHOTOVOLTAIC VS. CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER

 Running Head: PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THIN-FILM
PHOTOVOLTAIC VS. CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER 1
Performance and Economic Analysis of Thin-Film Photovoltaic vs. Concentrated Solar
Power
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PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THIN-FILM PHOTOVOLTAIC VS.
CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER 2
Photovoltaic Systems
Introduction
The thin film photovoltaic cell (TFPV) also referred to as thin film solar cell(TFSC), is
defined as "a cell created by putting down one or more thin layers (thin film) of photovoltaic
material on a substrate." (Onoda, Bekki & Mc Cready, 2012).
According to Harris (2008), there are three types of thin-film solar cells depending on the
semiconductor used and include: amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper
indium gallium selenide (CIGS).
Performance
Amorphous silicon is arranged spontaneously and thinly layered. It was the earliest
attempt at thin layered photovoltaic cells. Its however not efficient in large scale therefore has
been restricted to small scale applications. The cadmium telluride has been determined as the
most ecofriendly of solar panels since it requires the least amount of energy to develop. It also
has a very thin band gap therefore is an effective semiconductor. However cadmium is a highly
toxic material therefore can result in environmental degradation. Onoda, Bekki & Mc Cready
(2012) observe that copper indium gallium selenide is the newest technology and has the highest
efficiency levels attained by any thin film. However, the mass production of the cells may result
in difficulty in production of reliably efficient cells.
Thin film cells were considered as less efficient than their counterparts. In recent times
though, a flexible photovoltaic cell that has surpassed the 18.7% efficiency rating attained by
earlier flexible photovoltaic cells and equaled that of rigid silicon based solar cells by attaining a
20.4% efficiency, has been developed the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and
Technology (Empa). The cells are based on copper indium gallium selenide semiconductors 
PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THIN-FILM PHOTOVOLTAIC VS.
CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER 3
which absorb 99% of all the incident light in the first micron of the material. This results in very
thin, light weight and low cost solar cells. (Lombardo, 2013)
Economic
The production cost of the photovoltaic systems is low. This is due to reduced land
occupied, the system doesn't require conventional building materials They are also extremely
low in weight and highly flexible. This reduces the cost of transportation and storage. There is
reduction of power loss associated with distribution of power thus increasing overall efficiency.
(Davis,2003).
 It also reduces the complexity of installation and the number of support machinery
required thus significantly reducing the cost and time required for installation. They therefore
have the max potential in terms of electricity output among the reusable energy systems. The
data related to economic parameters in photovoltaic systems lacks in their economic assessment
and are based on their annual life cycle cost methods. The cost of photovoltaic defers for various
countries depending on factors such as the availability of materials thus the economic feasibility
defers as well. The photovoltaic systems can also result in saving large amounts of fuel used in
generation of fuel. This also reduces the use of fuel generators, reduces wear and tear of
generators thus minimizing the cost of maintenance. (Jamil, Kirmani, & Rizwan., 2012)
Concentrated solar power
Introduction
Smith, (2012) notes that the concentrated solar power is a system that uses thousands of
mirrors to reflect or concentrate sunlight and convert that energy into high temperature heat
which in turn is used to generate a electricity. 
PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THIN-FILM PHOTOVOLTAIC VS.
CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER 4
Performance
Smith (2012) explains that the concentrated solar power system consists of heliostats that
reflect sun rays and concentrate them on a large heat exchanger called a receiver. The receiver
contains a fluid flowing through the piping forming the external walls. After passing through the
receiver, the fluid flows into a storage tank where energy is stored as high temperature until
electricity is required. Once electricity is required the heated fluid is pumped into a steam
generator and water is also pumped through and is heated into steam which is used to run a
turbine as the fluid is pumped back to the receiver to be reheated.
The commercial CSP have estimated capabilities that range between 14-80 MWe,
maximum temperatures of about 390•c, an efficiency rate of about 14%-16% with a capacity
factor of 25%-30%. These factors however vary with location. Those systems that use molten
salt have a higher efficiency of about 40%-70% and a storage capacity of ab