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Sun simulator for tandem technology

Published in: Solar, Digital Blog

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As solar cell prices continue to drop due to overcapacity, the demand for cost reduction in solar technology has intensified. Tandem solar cells using perovskite layers are emerging as a solution, with the potential to increase efficiency from 26% to 34%. However, accurately measuring these cells presents challenges due to hysteresis effects, particularly when using traditional XENON-based simulators. LED-based simulators, with longer and more stable flash durations, offer a solution to these issues.

Why Accurate Measurement Matters The challenge of measuring high-efficiency tandem solar cells stems from hysteresis effects, where power measurements differ depending on the direction of measurement. Key challenges include:

  • Discrepancies in power measurements when measuring high-capacity modules, which leads to inaccurate data.
  • Short flash durations in traditional XENON simulators exacerbate these measurement errors, particularly in production environments where cycle time is critical.

Strategic Solutions for Measurement Accuracy MBJ Solutions has developed advanced LED-based sun simulators to address these measurement challenges, offering the following advantages:

  • Longer Flash Durations: LED simulators can provide flash durations of 500 milliseconds or more, necessary for accurate measurement of high-capacity tandem modules.
  • Stable Light Output: LEDs offer long-term stability, with less than 0.5% instability over time, making them more reliable for consistent testing.

Technology-Driven Solutions MBJ Solutions employs several techniques to improve measurement accuracy:

  • Gradual Voltage Increase: The system gradually increases voltage during the flash to minimize measurement discrepancies.
  • Stepwise Voltage Variation: By varying voltage in steps during the flash, MBJ ensures accurate current stabilization, leading to more reliable Maximum Power Point (MPP) determination.
  • Improved Spectral Matching: LEDs provide superior spectral coverage and match the solar spectrum more accurately than XENON technology, ensuring more reliable simulation results.

The Future of Solar Cell Testing LED-based simulators are positioned to become the standard for testing high-efficiency tandem solar cells, offering precise, stable, and scalable solutions. With advanced features like temperature control, enhanced spectral matching, and long-term stability, LED technology provides a more effective method for evaluating the performance of next-generation solar cells.

Read the full article here: https://pes.eu.com/exclusive-article/sun-simulator-for-tandem-technology/

 

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