Concentrated Photovoltaic Module Testing Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting devices for testing large-size concentrated photovoltaic modules fail to simulate solar radiation effectively due to limitations in irradiance, spectral reproduction, angular divergence, and synchronization of light sources, making it difficult to assess the performance of multi-junction cells and concentrators in industrial settings.
Innovation Solution
A device using multiple light sources coupled with parabolic mirrors to produce almost collimated light beams, with each source having a unique turn-on delay synchronized to ensure simultaneous pulse emission, achieving high light intensity uniformity and precise angular divergence, and allowing for the testing of large-size modules up to 8 m2.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light source is used to illuminate the entire module surface, then the device complexity is reduced, but the angular divergence cannot be maintained close to solar light specifications (0.5°±0.25°) over large areas
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is divided into multiple independent light sources (at least two), each responsible for illuminating a specific zone of the module. Each light source is equipped with its own parabolic mirror to generate collimated beams with angular divergence close to solar specifications (0.5°±0.25°), thereby maintaining high illumination quality across the entire large module surface without requiring a single complex light source
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are used to cover large module surfaces, then the angular divergence and irradiance uniformity are improved, but the synchronization precision becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The turn-on delay of each light source is predetermined and measured before the actual testing process. These delay values are stored in memory, and during operation, the control unit triggers each light source at a calculated instant (triggering instant = desired simultaneous emission instant - predetermined delay) to compensate for inherent delays and achieve precise synchronization of light pulses across all sources
3Measurement precision
If flash lamps are used to produce high irradiance (1 kW/m2) on large surfaces, then the measurement precision is improved, but the energy consumption and heating become excessive for continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous illumination, the system uses periodic pulsed illumination with flash lamps. Each light source emits high-intensity light pulses with durations between 100 μs and 10 ms, providing sufficient irradiance (1 kW/m2) for accurate measurements while limiting total energy consumption and heat generation, allowing repeated measurements without excessive heating of the system or module
4Illumination intensity
If the light source is placed far from the module to reduce angular divergence, then the beam collimation is improved, but the device complexity and installation space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Parabolic mirrors are used to focus and collimate light from each light source. The curved parabolic surface reflects and redirects light rays to form almost collimated beams with angular divergence close to solar specifications (0.5°±0.25°), achieving high beam quality without requiring the light source to be positioned at large distances from the module, thereby reducing installation space requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures that the light pulses from multiple sources are synchronized to within 15 μs, providing irradiance comparable to solar radiation, maintaining high intensity uniformity (>95%) and angular divergence similar to solar light, enabling effective testing of large-size concentrated photovoltaic modules.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light sources (2) coupled to respective parabolic mirrors (4) so as to send back light originating from each source in a plurality of almost collimated light beams
Implementation Method 2
a concentrated photovoltaic module (CPV) essentially comprises a photovoltaic cell (for example, multi-junction) and a concentrator designed to concentrate solar radiation toward the cell
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for testing a concentrated photovoltaic module comprising a plurality of sub-modules, each containing a plurality of assemblies of a photovoltaic cell and of a concentrator arranged relative to the cell in order to concentrate on the cell radiation arriving at normal incidence, in which: a plurality of almost collimated light beams are transmitted toward the module by means of a plurality of light sources coupled to respective parabolic mirrors, each light source comprising a lamp suitable for emitting a light pulse and a supply device suitable for electrically supplying the lamp, there being a turn-on delay between the triggering of the supply device and the emission of the pulse, and the supply device of each lamp is triggered at a respective instant set depending on the turn-on delay of the lamp so that the pulses of all the lamps are emitted simultaneously and received simultaneously by the sub-modules.