Since photovoltaic modules are often tested in natural environments, there are phenomena such as long test cycles and poor data repeatability, which seriously affect the test results. The solar simulator owned by Millennial Solar is a light source device that simulates the solar spectrum and light intensity. It can achieve different solar irradiances to meet the unique requirements of testing in different environments. In this issue of Millennial Solar, we will introduce the precise device for evaluating the performance of photovoltaic modules - the solar simulator!

Millennial Solar Simulator

The solar simulator produced by Millennial Solar uses metal halide lamps that can simulate the full sunlight spectrum to reproduce the destructive light waves that exist in different environments. It can provide testing and simulation in different environments for photovoltaic product development and quality assurance. It is a Photovoltaic module quality testing equipment that presents real physical characteristics such as solar radiation spectral distribution, spot size, irradiation intensity, irradiation uniformity, and irradiation stability. It can be used to test the solar cell packaging structure of photovoltaic modules, EVA film, Polymer materials such as backsheets, junction boxes, and cables are precision equipment designed to verify the performance changes of solar modules after being exposed to ultraviolet light.

E-mail: market@millennialsolar.cn

How a solar simulator works

The solar simulator is mainly composed of optical integrator mirror, ellipsoid reflector, shutter, filter, collimating lens, light source and other components. Its working principle is that the xenon lamp is located at the center of the solar simulator. The emitted light is flipped 90° through the first 45° plane mirror and falls on the integrating mirror placed at the focus of the ellipsoid, so that the light is evenly dispersed,the beam then passes through the filter,and the filter out excess infrared radiation in this band,then through the second 45° plane mirror, it is flipped 90°,falls on the collimating lens at last.

The solar simulator will set the optical parameters required by the system for light collection, beam homogenization, filtering and collimation. And it is output in the form of parallel light after passing through the collimating lens.

Irradiance stability of solar simulator

The irradiance stability of the solar simulator refers to the stability of the irradiance value in a specified area on the test plane, and is generally evaluated by irradiance instability. Pick any coordinate in the designated area on the test plane and record the change of the irradiance value at that point within a certain period of time. The maximum irradiance value measured within the test time is recorded as E’max.The minimum value of irradiance is recorded as E’min. The calculation formula of the irradiance instability of the solar simulator is as follows:

In the formula, Ns represents the irradiation instability of the solar simulator; E'max represents the maximum irradiance of any measurement point in the test plane during data collection, in W/㎡; E'min represents any measurement during data collection. The minimum irradiance of a point in the test plane, in W/㎡.

Millennial solar simulator can perform control tests in various environments. Even in indoor environments without sunlight, it can simulate sunlight to detect photovoltaic modules and determine whether their quality meets industrial standards, assisting photovoltaic Module manufacturers supervise the production of photovoltaic modules!