A high-concentration programmable solar simulator for testing multi-junction concentrator photovoltaics

Published

June 19, 2015

Author(s)

Tasshi Dennis, Brent Fisher, Matt Meitl, John Wilson

Abstract

We describe the design and operation of a spectrally programmable solar simulator capable of being concentrated to very high irradiance for the testing of multi-junction concentrator solar cells. The simulator utilizes a spatially coherent, super-continuum laser as the light source and a hybrid pair of prism-based spectrometers with spatial light modulators to precisely control the spectrum. Spectra are presented which simulate scaled versions of the AM 1.5 solar reference spectrum, correct for spectral mismatch, and model attenuation from increasing air- mass. The simulation of attenuated spectra may be used to study conditions representative of changes in latitude, weather, time of day, and time of year. We used the programmable simulator to test a multi-junction solar cell at up to 138 suns. We used a static, non-programmable version of the simulator to test the same cell at well over 600 suns. Technical improvements which would achieve substantial increases in irradiance and/or cell illumination area are described.

Proceedings Title

42nd Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC)

Conference Dates

June 15-19, 2015

Conference Location

New Orleans, CO

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

CONCENTRATOR PHOTOVOLTAIC, MULTIJUNCTION SOLAR CELL, QUANTUM EFFICIENCY, SOLAR SIMULATION, SPATIAL LIGHT MODULATOR, SPECTRAL MISMATCH, SUPER-CONTINUUM LASER

Citation

Dennis, T. , Fisher, B. , Meitl, M. and Wilson, J. (2015), A high-concentration programmable solar simulator for testing multi-junction concentrator photovoltaics, 42nd Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), New Orleans, CO (Accessed March 13, 2025)