The fast development of the CPV technology requires the use of photovoltaic cells more and more small and with very high conversion efficiency: optics and modules are designed to reach nominal concentration ratio up to 1000X [1]. In this technological framework, it is very important to test the cell performances using a laboratory equipment, as a solar simulator, able to generate on the cell an irradiance corresponding to the real working conditions. In the market, it is possible to buy several systems designed and produced by specialized Companies or Research Institutes able to make a reliable cell characterization. Unfortunately, these systems are very expensive, because they are built with components specially developed for this purpose. In this paper the authors present a solar simulator for concentrating photovoltaic cells realized with cheap standard components normally used for other scopes. The results is a prototypal system having a cost significantly lower than the commercial solar simulators. Main disadvantage of this approach is that a good power density uniformity on the measurement point is reached only for small size cells (diameter less than 4mm). © 2018 Author(s).
Low-cost solar simulator for CPV cells characterizations
Romano, A.;Merola, A.;Graditi, G.;Borriello, A.;Cancro, C.
2018-01-01
Abstract
The fast development of the CPV technology requires the use of photovoltaic cells more and more small and with very high conversion efficiency: optics and modules are designed to reach nominal concentration ratio up to 1000X [1]. In this technological framework, it is very important to test the cell performances using a laboratory equipment, as a solar simulator, able to generate on the cell an irradiance corresponding to the real working conditions. In the market, it is possible to buy several systems designed and produced by specialized Companies or Research Institutes able to make a reliable cell characterization. Unfortunately, these systems are very expensive, because they are built with components specially developed for this purpose. In this paper the authors present a solar simulator for concentrating photovoltaic cells realized with cheap standard components normally used for other scopes. The results is a prototypal system having a cost significantly lower than the commercial solar simulators. Main disadvantage of this approach is that a good power density uniformity on the measurement point is reached only for small size cells (diameter less than 4mm). © 2018 Author(s).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
