10.11.16
Solar cells and modules are often characterized by “current voltage” measurements, which are currently executed with multifunctional analysis equipment. These tools can place voltages on samples, for short, but also for longer periods, and analyze the output current. However, the existing tools (“Keithley Source-meters”) are relatively expensive and only allow the use for one solar cell or module at the time.
Within the TKI iDEEGO project TRUST, ReRa Solutions has developed and built a new type of electrical load, which allows both long- and short-term exposure to external voltages. The capabilities of this load have been studied and presented by Solliance in Eindhoven.
“We have developed and built two hybrid degradation setups in partnership with Eternal Sun and Hielkema Testequipment,” said Mirjam Theelen, researcher at Solliance, said. “These setups allow the exposure of solar cells and mini-modules to humidity, elevated temperatures and illumination. However, for better simulation of the field behavior of such samples, we needed to continuously place them under bias voltages. This for example allows exposure to ‘maximum power point’ conditions, which is a standard field condition, or to ‘reverse bias’, which occurs when modules are partially shadowed.”
ReRa Solutions has built and installed multiple electronics loads that allow these voltage biases in these hybrid degradation setups. During the project, these loads were optimized and used to test CIGS solar cells made at the Solliance facilities. An outcome of this project showed rapid degradation of cells under very high or very low biases, which therefore should not be used. Moreover, it was also demonstrated that cell performance can change when the electrical bias is varied.
Within the TKI iDEEGO project TRUST, ReRa Solutions has developed and built a new type of electrical load, which allows both long- and short-term exposure to external voltages. The capabilities of this load have been studied and presented by Solliance in Eindhoven.
“We have developed and built two hybrid degradation setups in partnership with Eternal Sun and Hielkema Testequipment,” said Mirjam Theelen, researcher at Solliance, said. “These setups allow the exposure of solar cells and mini-modules to humidity, elevated temperatures and illumination. However, for better simulation of the field behavior of such samples, we needed to continuously place them under bias voltages. This for example allows exposure to ‘maximum power point’ conditions, which is a standard field condition, or to ‘reverse bias’, which occurs when modules are partially shadowed.”
ReRa Solutions has built and installed multiple electronics loads that allow these voltage biases in these hybrid degradation setups. During the project, these loads were optimized and used to test CIGS solar cells made at the Solliance facilities. An outcome of this project showed rapid degradation of cells under very high or very low biases, which therefore should not be used. Moreover, it was also demonstrated that cell performance can change when the electrical bias is varied.