Operational Experience with a 35-KWP Concentrating Photovoltaic System

Summary

Acurex Corporation completed the installation and startup of a 35-kwp concentrating photovoltaic power system in October 1981. This paper describes the operation and performance of the field during the first 6 months of operation. The system has performed at a lower level than predicted, partly due to the unusual climatic conditions experienced at the site. The operational experience indicates three problem areas in the system design. First, some receiver degradation has ocurred due to manufacturing defects which have been corrected. Second, the power conditioning unit has demonstrated low reliability in the Hawaiian environment. Third, corrosion problems associated with the site have accounted for a major portion of the required maintenance. Overall, the system has operated reliably, except for the power conditioning unit, and most system components do not show signs of degradation.