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testing

Large-area reference solar cell for high precision measurements

Germany’s Institute for Solar Energy Research (ISFH) has partnered with engineering company Mencke und Tegtmeyer GmbH (IB-MuT) to develop a large-area reference solar cell for high precision cell measurements. The BigRef device is claimed to be the only rugged encapsulated large-area reference solar cell available on the market.

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Solar simulator for high-power photovoltaic modules

Spire Solar Iberia has developed a state-of-the-art XL solar simulator that is able to measure the maximum power of photovoltaic modules of any size with high precision and to identify those with low performance.

Noise-based technique to test crystalline silicon solar cells

The proposed technique is said to be able to connect directly to the microscopic and medium scale defects in the solar cell materials. It is based on three kinds of noises that science has thus far been able to identify in PV devices.

US scientists apply Suns-VoC method to outdoor PV tests

Researchers in Arizona have used the Suns-VoC characterization method for indoor solar cell testing to monitor PV installations. The method can also be used with outdoor distributed-generation and large-scale solar arrays.

Foil method for PID test misleading if only one side of bifacial module is stressed

Results from PID stress tests can be misleading when bifacial PV modules are PID-stressed from just one side using the foil method in IEC TS 62804, according to a new study by Belgian researchers. An unintended electric field arises between the non-stressed side of the cell and the grounded interior of the climate chamber, which may have the undesired effect of causing additional PID stress.

TÜV Rheinland confirms 515.8 W output for Trina’s new modules

Trina Solar has been producing its 500 W modules in series for a month now and plans to increase their output to more than 600 W in the future.

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Waves, wind & floating PV

Dutch research center TNO is setting up a test facility for floating PV plants in Oostvoornse, where it will analyze the impact of wind and waves on floating structures and module yield. TNO Senior Project Manager Jan Kroon told pv magazine that it will assess module damage and the impact of waves on light absorption. It has already found that the ratio between wave-height and wave-length is a key factor in mismatch losses, while noting that optimizers and micro-inverters on panels could mitigate losses.

Proving perovskite reliability

A new paper published in Nature claims that scientists have reached a consensus on the procedures for the testing of perovskite cells, which they say will lead to better reproducibility and comparability of data produced by different laboratories, and ultimately a better understanding of the degradation pathways affecting perovskite solar cells, and the most effective ways to mitigate them.

US scientists claim clear-sky irradiance model provides better results for module testing

Researchers at the American Institute of Physics have used the clear-sky irradiance model developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to measure the degradation rates of solar panels at a testing field in Germany over five years. The scientists say the model, when combined with real-world data, offers an efficient tool to evaluate the aging of PV technology.

Mini series: The evolution of testing

Tara Doyle started her career in the solar energy industry more than 15 years ago, and today serves as the chief commercial officer at PVEL, which claims to be one of the first testing laboratories to focus on bankability for the downstream PV buyer community. The lab serves developers, financiers, O&M companies, asset owners, and insurers.

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