Solar Simulator For Characterization Of The Large-Area HCPV Modules

We report the results on design, manufacturing and test measurements of the solar simulator for high concentration PV systems with aperture area as large as 0.5 x 1.0 m(2). For correct HCPV module characterization, the light source must have an angular divergence similar to that of the sun (+/- 0.27 degrees), and the optical image resembling the sun disc. In the developed simulator, two illumination sources are used in pairs with two collimating silicone-on-glass Fresnel lenses. To eliminate the effect of the chromatic aberration and the non-uniform illumination in the peripheral zones of the measurement plane, the focal distance of each 0.5x0.5 m(2) lens was chosen to be as long as 2 m. Square lenses are placed tightly in a plane. Each illumination source consists of two tube-like flash lamps and a screen with a hole 20 mm in diameter. Behind each of four lamp segments, a continuously operating LED is located for optical alignment of a tested concentrator system before flash illumination. Compact vertical arrangement of the optical elements ensures a footprint approximately of the collimating lenses size. Measurements for obtaining I-V characteristics are carried out during 1 millisecond- the period of a flat part of the light pulse. The comparative results of such measurements for solar concentrator modules- outdoors and indoors with the help of the developed solar simulator- are presented as well.