Concentrating PV technology concentrates more sunlight onto a unit area of solar cells, resulting in much higher efficiency of sunlight conversion to electricity. CPV typically uses lenses or mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto high-efficiency solar cells. These kinds of solar cells are typically more expensive than the cells used in conventional photovoltaic systems. The concentration of sunlight decreases the required cell area while increasing the cell efficiency. This technology has potential for solar cell efficiencies greater than 40% using concentrating mirrors to compete with alternative solar technologies. Real life efficiencies have already exceeded 33%.
Concentrating Photovoltaics – Definition, Glossary, Details – Solar Mangoadmin