Albuquerque, New Mexico Main Header PV Module Characterization Methods at CFV Solar Test Lab Sub header Sandia 2014 PV Systems Symposium Santa Clara, CA Larry Pratt, Nick Riedel, and the CFV Team 1 CVF Solar New Presentation
Agenda Characterization at CFV Intro to CFV Solar Test Lab Indoor characterization Temperature coefficients 61853-1 performance matrix Outdoor characterization Temperature coefficients Sandia modeling coefficients Industry areas for improvement
Joint Venture of Renowned Standards and Research Organizations World renowned solar research lab with deep technical expertise. Solar innovation lab in Massachusetts with module prototyping capabilities. Contributing extensive expertise to design and setup the module certification lab. Partner for global PV Test center alliance. Scientific & Management Advisor to CFV. PV-module research capabilities Partner for test-standards development. Solar certification is for European and US standards. The CFV Solar Test Laboratory joins CSA and VDE certification capabilities in PV and creates a globally accepted certification service. 3
Ideal Test Conditions in Albuquerque, NM Highest Solar Irradiance in USA >> Altitude keeps temperatures low National Research Laboratories >> Sandia, Los Alamos Nat l labs Universities Active in Solar >> UNM, CNM Existing Solar Companies >> Emcore/Suncore, Sandia, Array Technologies, Unirac, CST, Affordable Solar, Sacred Power, Political Support >> NM promotes solar on all levels of government (State, County and City) Good Accessibility, Workforce & Living Conditions >>Albuquerque has excellent scientists, culture and nature 4
h.a.l.m. Flash Solar Simulator Manufactured by h.a.l.m. Electronik Class AAA per IEC 60904-9: Spectral match to AM 1.5 G Uniformity of irradiance Temporal stability of flash Integrated thermal chamber (25 65 C) Irradiance from Xe arc lamp 100-1100 W/m 2 Controlled by voltage Three methods of lamp calibration PTB calibrated reference cell (HOQ and KG3) Control module tested at ISE Fraunhofer Outdoor reference I sc transfer Three quadrant capability for DIV I-V measurements taken with hysteresis Sections used if needed h.a.l.m. indoor I-V measurement system PTB calibrated low-uncertainty reference cell 5
Measurement uncertainty in IV at STC for silicon Parameter Absolute [%] Relative [%] Pmp +/- 2.8 +/- 0.40 Isc +/- 2.3 +/- 0.20 Imp +/- 2.3 +/- 0.25 Voc +/- 0.6 +/- 0.20 Vmp +/- 0.7 +/- 0.25 Absolute uncertainty calculated from an algorithm developed at Fraunhofer ISE, driven by reference cell calibration, non-uniformity, and spectral mismatch. The uncertainty is consistent with the range of values reported in the 2005 module RR sponsored by NREL, most of which was due to the Isc (read reference cell ) The authors conclude that absolute uncertainty cannot be less than +/- 3% Relative uncertainty is calculated from the moving range estimates of the standard deviation from two check modules that are measured daily. 6
Indoor Temperature Coefficient Testing Determined per IEC 61215/61646 10.4 Four RTDs place on backsheet Module heated from 25 to 65 C I-V measurements taken every 2 C Considerations: Reference cell temperature Remains at 25-28 C Temperature dwell time before measurement 1.5 to 2 minutes Module temperature uniformity < 1.2 C with help of laminar air flow The system is also capable of taking I-V while cooling the module from 65 to 25 C Heating method can be performed faster Repeatability of +/- 0.01%/ C for Pmp Including effects of cool down and extended dwell times 7
Indoor IEC 61853-1 Performance Testing A given temperature is targeted and then multiirradiance measurements are taken. Irradiance is changed with lamp voltage. A supplemental thermal chamber must be used for temperatures outside of 25-65 C. Sections measurements and hysteresis must be adjusted accordingly. Our partner CSE Fraunhofer creates.pan files based on these performance data. The IEC spectral match rating changes with irradiance. Class A for all irrad. 400-800 nm Class B/C > 800nm and < 400 W/m 2 Lower irradiances (ie voltages) shifts intensity towards λ > 700 nm. Spectrum shifts to IR by fractions of a percent as lamp ages. 8
Flasher Upgrade for Efficient 61853-1 Testing Curve Tracer Capacitor Bank Thermo generator Xe Arc PV DUT ND filters to preserve spectrum below 600 W/m 2 Improved thermal capacity for testing 15-75 C Installed by Q4 2014 or sooner 9
Outdoor Temperature Coefficients CFV follows the procedures established at SNL work instructions will be available later this year Shade module, cool to near ambient, insulate backside, set up curve tracer, uncover, sweep curves while module heats in the sun, regression analysis of translated IV versus Tc-25 Non-uniform temperature distribution of the cells is a concern Temp Coeff for Pmp tends running higher in magnitude by 0.05% to 0.1% absolute when compared to indoor estimates at CFV What is the average cell temperature during indoor/outdoor temp coeff testing? - See Cliff Hansen et al, PVSC40 Repeatability of +/- 0.01%/ C for Pmp temperature coefficient Sensor ßVmp (%/C) BS average -0.48 TC1-0.52 TC2-0.42 TC3-0.42 TC4-0.55 TC5-0.49 10
Performance Model Coefficients SAPM CFV follows the procedures established at SNL work instructions will be available later this year Temperature Coefficients Angle of Incidence Electrical performance modelling (SAND2004-3535).PAN file generation in partnership with CSE Fraunhofer Multi-Irradiance and temperature data provided by CFV.PAN file generation by CSE Fraunhofer Recommend three representative modules for full test matrix 11
Industry areas for improvement Reference cell calibration 2.1 and 2.3% delta on outdoor ref cells measured at SNL and ISE 2% delta on indoor ref cell measured at PTB and NREL US calibration values lower in all three cases Temperature coefficient delta of 0.05% to 0.1% absolute Results in a 1% to 2% prediction error at 45 C cell temperature Combined effect of RC and temp coeff could be as high as 4% CEC temp coefficient limits are not consistent with those reported in the Yingli RR Why specify IEC 60904-3 spectrum for low irradiance testing? Is this likely in the real world? What s a reasonable alternative, given the labs can t easily adjust spectrum 12
Thank you! Contact: CFV Solar Test Laboratory, Inc. 5600-A University Blvd SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 Martin Plass Senior VP & General Manager Martin.Plass@cfvsolar.com +1 (505) 998-0102 or Customer Service at Info@CFVSolar.com +1 (505) 998-0100 13