Characterisation of solar cells and modules under actual operating conditions

W. Durisch, J. Urban and G. Smestad

Renewable Energy, 1996, vol. 8, issue 1, 359-366

Abstract: A PC-based measuring system is presented for outdoor testing of solar cells and modules under real operating conditions. It consists of a sun-tracked sample holder, different electronic loads (including control), digital multimeters, a PC and a laser printer. Insolation is measured and recorded with pyranometers, pyrheliometers and a reference cell. Current-voltage curves are acquired in the range of irradiance from 10 W/m2 to over 1000 W/m2. Small single cells of size down to 3 mm by 3 mm as well as large modules and laminates up to 1 m by 1.5 m can be tested. The measurement time for one test can be varied between 5 to 15 seconds. The maximum power point (mpp) is normally detected on-line. However, it can also be determined in a subsequent mathematical analysis, if more precise mpp data are required. The maximum relative uncertainty in the efficiency (determined from mpp data) has been estimated to be less than ± 1 %, depending on type and size of cell or module and on the constancy of the insolation during the testing time. Using a new dynamic method, the temperature coefficient of the efficiency can be determined within a relative uncertainty of about ± 3 %. The coefficient is used to derive standard test condition data. Results are given for two commercial modules.

Keywords: Photovoltaic test stand; solar cell efficiency; temperature coefficient of efficiency; I–V characteristic; cell temperature; irradiance measurement; maximum power point detection; sun-tracker; error estimations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1996
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:8:y:1996:i:1:p:359-366

DOI: 10.1016/0960-1481(96)88878-1

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