AN OPTICAL CONCENTRATOR SYSTEM TO PERFORM A LIGHT-SOAKING INDOOR TEST ON PHOTOVOLTAIC RECEIVERS

摘要

In this paper the designs, realization and indoor and outdoor experimental results of a laboratory testfacility system for Concentrator Photovoltaic Receivers (CPR) characterization are reported. In particular, the proposedsystem has been developed in order to perform tests on CPRs characterized by high geometrical concentration factor(Cgeo). The test facility system is devoted to verify and qualify the behavior of CPR from different points of view. Thesystem design has been developed paying particular attention to the test bench used for the evaluation of I-Vcharacteristics of concentrator solar cells under high geometrical concentration factors. The preliminary study activity hasbeen focused on the irradiance level, light source spectral composition, exposition time and operation temperaturedependences of CPR characterization process. The main purpose of this research is to propose in the next future noveltests to qualify the CPR system for a long-time operation (Light-Soaking and/or Hot-spot endurance tests). To executemeasurements in a wide range of concentration, an opto-mechanical system for continuous light solar simulator couplinghas been designed. The realized prototype produces a maximal geometrical concentration factor equal or less than 900xfor testing Solar cells of an active area of 1 cm~2.