The flash solar simulator utilizes a heavy duty xenon flash lamp and AM1.5G calibrated solar filter to approximate the sun’s true spectral distribution following ASTM E927-05 (2005) Class A standards. The flash solar simulator fires short flashes of light to measure the performance of a photovoltaic device without heating it.

The system can operate as a single flash/point which will produce an I-V data point of the photovoltaic device can be captured by connecting it to an optional current-voltage measurement system, or multipoints per flash (Max. number of points in a flash is either 48 or 120 depending on standards to be used).

A computer controller sequences the light flashes with the current-voltage measurement system to capture and store a multi-point I-V curve for the photovoltaic device.

Photovoltaic Cell Compatibility

The Sciencetech PSS2 flash solar simulators can be used on many types of photovoltaic devices including thin films, amorphous silicon, and traditional crystalline silicon materials. The optional current-voltage measurement system has a active load and wattage range that can be tailored to each type of PV material. Sciencetech also supplied a Concentrator for this device with a maximum solar density of 5,000 Suns (Please see the Concentrator in this Website). 

Performance

The flash solar simulator utilizes a heavy-duty/low-duty cycle xenon flashtube powered by a digitally controlled power supply. This provides a stable and repeatable flash in a multi-exposure I-V test sequence. The power supply also provides a wide operation range from 70-2400 Joules to accommodate different sizes of photovoltaic panels ranging from 20 x 20cm (8” x 8”) to 2 x 2m (80” x 80”) and at various intensities from 70-150 mW/cm². To withstand heat stress in a continuous use production operation, the heavy duty xenon flashtube has over dimensioned tungsten electrodes tested to 60,000 Joules.

The standard pulse length at 90% power is 0.5 msec, and at 50% power extends between 1.6 and 2.0 msec.

Sciencetech now offers a pulse extension that will increase the pulse length at customer request. This allows the pulse to be extended to either 4.0 or 8.0 msecs at 50% power. This, of course, comes at a small reduction in power (20% reduction for 4.0 msec, 50% for 8.0 msec). Please contact a Sciencetech sales representative for further information and prices.

Definition of Class A

The ASTM E927-05 (2005) standard states that a solar simulator must match the spectral distribution of the reference spectral irradiance to within ± 25% to be classified as a Class A solar simulator. For large area solar simulators (greater than 30 x 30cm) the spatial uniformity shall be ±3% or better. Temporal stability for a flash intensity must not vary by more than ±2% from an average value over the total test time. Speak with the Special Developments Group to customize a PSS1 or PSS2 that meets your needs. Email sales@sciencetech-inc.com

Solar Simulator Components

• Light source unit
• Power Supply
• Beam homogenizer
• AM1.5G filter