SUNALYZER-a powerful and cost-effective solar cell I-V tester for the photovoltaic community

Abstract

SUNALYZER, a powerful yet cost-effective solar cell I-V tester is introduced. The costs of the optical components are kept at tolerable levels by means of a halogen lamp array. In combination with a computerized height adjuster, this lamp system allows the measurement of a set of illuminated I-V curves covering the intensity range from 0.1 to 4 Suns. Furthermore, the dark I-V curve is measured over a current range of up to 8 orders of magnitude. From these measurements, an analysis subroutine accurately determines the solar cell's series resistance R/sub s.light/ and R/sub s.dark/ as well as the diode ideality factor n and the saturation current density J/sub 0/ as a function of the external current density. Furthermore, design modifications are described which allow for speedy, fully automated illuminated I-V measurements, as required for testing and sorting purposes in solar cell production lines.