Programm Photovoltaik Ausgabe 2009 ... - Bundesamt für Energie BFE

Aim of the project
The aim of the “ISAAC-TISO Test Centre” is to verify the quality, reliability and energy rating of photovoltaic
modules. The goals for 2008 were:
ISO17025 accreditation maintenance for I-V measurements with sun simulator.
Accreditation procedure of measurements at different irradiances.
Installation of a new flash sun simulator (PASAN IIIb).
Installation of new test stand (building A) and construction of MPPT electronics (MPPT3000).
Start a new outdoor test cycle (nr. 11).
Light soaking and stabilization on modules of test cycle 11 and I-V measurements at STC (initial - Pa
and after first degradation – P0).
Project description
The main activities of the “ISAAC-TISO Test Centre” are focused on the verification of quality and
energy rating of PV modules, either with services for industry and with independent comparison tests.
Particularly the indoor measurements are carried out with a class A flash sun simulator, and the Test
Centre disposes of stands for the outdoor analysis PV modules behaviour under real environmental
conditions.
ISAAC’s pulsed Sun Simulator allows measurement of I-V characteristics under standard test conditions,
in accordance to (IEC 60904-1), and dependent on module temperature. The measurements of
crystalline silicon modules are accredited ISO 17025 by the Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS). Measurements
of thin-film modules with different reference cells and spectral mismatch corrections are also
performed. The indoor measurements are performed to allow an accurate comparison for both crystalline
silicon technologies of new generation and thin film modules. The services for industry will be
broadened to allow a better accuracy of measurement in production thanks to the calibration of reference
cells and modules and to the verification of test procedures.
The ISAAC-TISO centre carried out systematic outdoor tests, under real operating conditions, on the
most important modules currently on the market. Up to 18 modules for each test cycle were purchased
anonymously. The modules were exposed for 15 months. Initial, intermediate and final I-V measurements
@STC were carried out. Each module is equipped with a Maximum Power Point Tracker
(MPPT) adapted to its voltage and current range to optimise measurement accuracy.
New outdoor stands, equipped with MPPT, are under construction to enable the industry to compare
new module technologies or prototypes with new solutions of lamination or encapsulation.
An outdoor module characterisation system with sun-tracking capabilities allows a fast and flexible
characterisation under real operating conditions and the measurement of thin film modules.
Work carried out and results achieved
INDOOR I-V measurements with sun simulator
The sun simulator has been used either for measurements for research projects and services measurements.
During 2008 more than 6140 flashes were performed for research programmes (test centre
and other projects), I-V measurements for third-parties and maintenance measurements (accreditation
maintenance).
A total of 458 I-V measurement were performed for third-parties. For several modules, in addition to
the I-V determination, other measurements were executed:
18 determination of the temperature coefficients;
15 I-V characterization at different irradiances (200, 400, 600 and 800 W/m²);
11 outdoor initial degradation (30-60 kWh/m²), were the IV characterization is performed before and
after the exposure;
72 I-V determination with multiflash method;
Various visual inspection and insulation tests (according to IEC 61215), electrical continuity test and
by-pass diode test, have also been realized.
Centrale di test ISAAC-TISO, D. Chianese, SUPSI, DACD, ISAAC-TISO
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