Advances in photovoltaic technology resulted in increased complexity of device calibration, largely being affected by deviations of test spectrum from natural spectra. While the output spectrum of some solar simulators is adjustable, generally only light intensity and module temperature can be varied. This is due to the light sources used in current simulators. LEDs offer an additional degree of freedom, when using an appropriate combination of wavelengths. This paper presents the advantages of this lighting technology for solar simulation and backs these up through results of the prototype unit developed at the Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology.
The ability to keep LEDs stable for a long time and dim them with minimal changes in the spectrum allows generation of a spectrum closely matched to AM1.5G standard test spectrum or indeed even realistic variations of the outdoor spectrum. LEDs can be controlled very fast within microseconds or operated continuously, combining a steady state and a flash solar simulator with additional functions such as variable flash frequencies and flash shape. Combined with the life expectancy exceeding 50.000h, LEDs are a strong candidate for solar simulator light sources introducing a significant improvement in calibration lifetime as well as significantly reduced running cost.
The usage of LEDs can enhance today’s characteristic measurement functions and even opens possibilities to fully characterise solar cells indoors within a much shorter time than is possible today, over a range of conditions previously only available through outdoor characterisation.
History
School
Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering
Research Unit
Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST)
Published in
Conference on Reliability of Photovoltaic Cells Modules, Components, and Systems
RELIABILITY OF PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS, MODULES, COMPONENTS, AND SYSTEMS
Volume
7048
Pages
? - ? (11)
Citation
BLISS, M., BETTS, T.R. and GOTTSCHALG, R., 2008. Advantages in using LEDS as the main light source in solar simulators for measuring PV device characteristics. IN: Dhere, N.G. (ed). Reliability of Photovoltaic Cells, Modules, Components, and Systems, Proceedings of SPIE; 7048, paper 704807
This work is made available according to the conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) licence. Full details of this licence are available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Publication date
2008
Notes
This paper was delivered at the Conference on Reliability of Photovoltaic Cells Modules, Components, and Systems, San Diego, CA. Copyright 2008 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited.