SunPower C7 Tracker delivers lowest cost for utility-scale solar power plants [Dec 2011]

December 22, 2011 9:28 am

Achieves up to 20 per cent lower levelised cost of electricity than competing technologiesSolar panels and systems manufacturer SunPower has launched the SunPower C7 Tracker, a solar photovoltaic tracking system that concentrates the sun’s power seven times to achieve the lowest levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) for utility-scale solar power plants available today.
The C7 Tracker combines single-axis tracking technology with rows of parabolic mirrors, reflecting light onto 22.8 per cent efficient SunPower Maxeon solar cells, which are the world’s most efficient commercially available solar cells.  Using mirrors to reduce the number of solar cells required to generate electricity lowers the LCOE by up to 20 percent compared to competing technologies. For example, a 400-megawatt C7 Tracker power plant requires less than 70 megawatts of SunPower solar cells. 
The C7 Tracker includes modular solar cell receivers allowing for future performance upgrades. Additionally, the SunPower advanced Tracker Monitoring and Control System (TMAC) provides wireless control of the power plant for increased operating efficiency and reduced maintenance cost. SunPower can rapidly deploy regional manufacturing of the system, supporting local job creation.
“The SunPower C7 Tracker significantly increases SunPower’s effective manufacturing capacity, delivers bankable technology with guaranteed performance and leverages a decade of experience in reliable tracking systems,” said SunPower CEO Tom Werner. “With more than 400 megawatts of power plants operating around the world by the end of this year, SunPower consistently delivers the most efficient and reliable solar technology on the market, and the greatest return on investment to our customers.”
“The C7 Tracker is ideal for regions with high solar irradiance through direct sunlight, including the US Southwest and areas of the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia”, the company release states.