HPC Film is the core component of Prism Solar’s Holographic Planar Concentrator™ (HPC) technology, which enables solar modules to generate the same yield as conventional modules while using 50-75% less photovoltaic material.

Reducing the amount of expensive silicon in a solar module greatly lowers material cost. It also results in manufacturing savings through reduced assembly and processing requirements.

HPC Film consists of several gelatin-on-PET plastic layers. Each film is imprinted with a holographic optical element. Together, these elements diffract the wavelengths (400-1100nm) that can be converted to energy by solar cells.

HPC film diffracts usable wavelengths of sunlight and guides them to the solar cells.

The usable energy is guided to the cells, resulting in up to a 3X concentration of energy per unit area of photovoltaic material.

HPC Film replaced 2/3 of the silicon in this solar module.

HPC Film collects sunlight over a wide range of incident angles, and collects diffuse and reflected light as well, keeping cells near peak efficiency over longer periods of the day and season. Harvesting energy over 360-degrees is what allows HPC modules to generate such high yields, even in low light conditions, with so little silicon or thin film photovoltaic material.

Through 360-degree collection, HPC solar modules collect more energy over a wider range of angles, for high efficiency throughout the day and year.

Finally, HPC Film keeps solar cells operating at or near their peak performance temperature. Wavelengths of sunlight that cannot be converted by the solar cells are allowed to pass through the film and panel, rather than being absorbed and converted to heat. This “spectral selection” feature keeps cells operating close to their ideal temperature curve without mechanical cooling—even at 3X concentration.

HPC Film has been field proven in installations for more than seven years and has shown no significant degradation or loss of performance. The highly stable film improves the efficiency of solar modules based on monocrystalline silicon, thin film, or virtually any PV material.

HPC Film allows infrared wavelengths to pass through the module, keeping solar cells operating near their optimum temperature even at 3X concentration. Reducing the amount of expensive silicon in a solar module greatly lowers material cost. It also results in manufacturing savings through reduced assembly and processing requirements.