Manel Ibáñez, Ferran Badia, Daniel Chemisana and Joan Ignasi Rosell behind the concentration solar power system. (Image credit: Jordi V. Pou)

The University of Lleida (Spain) has obtained a new patent for integrating concentrated solar power (CSP) modules with facades or building roofs. These modules can produce electricity, heat and be used for cooling (if installed with heat pumps). The thermal PV modular system concentrates sun power ten times (10x) which means it gets 10 times more sun energy than the conventional PV module system. Just for comparison, large scale CSP power plants concentrate sun energy a few hundred times, like the big CSP plant, the PS20 in Spain, for example.

The solar power modules are smaller in surface area, which brings cost reduction, but are also easily integrated into a building's outward appearance, becoming a virtual "second skin" of the building. Power generated this way is a good solution for residential buildings, companies or farms. The system consists of a stationary lens and a linear absorber plate which concentrates sunlight in order to generate energy. This method uses less available space, otherwise occupied by standard solar power modules, which change position in order to capture optimal amounts of sunlight. An international patent has been requested for the system.

The global efficiency of this module could go above 60%. University researchers anticipate commercialization of this system in about a year, if companies decide to use this technology.