Accurate measurement, using natural sunlight, of silicon solar cells

William M. Keogh*, Andrew W. Blakers

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    30 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The light source is very important when measuring solar cells. Commonly used light sources - good-quality solar simulators - are expensive and have far from ideal characteristics. Computer modelling described in this work strongly suggests that testing of silicon solar cells under natural sunlight is simpler, cheaper, and more accurate than all but the most careful simulator measurements. Direct-beam solar spectra were generated with the model SMARTS2 for a range of atmospheric conditions, and a broad range of silicon cells (efficiencies 6-25%) were then simulated under these spectra. These simulations showed that measurement uncertainty of less than 5% should be achievable. Climate data for locations within 45° of the equator show that the required atmospheric conditions should occur commonly in summer. Finally, it is shown that the important atmospheric conditions can be measured without expensive equipment.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1-19
    Number of pages19
    JournalProgress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications
    Volume12
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jan 2004

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