A solar simulator using a LCD projector for students’ laboratory

Abstract

A low-cost solar simulator using a LCD projector as a light source has been developed and tested successfully. The prepared simulator has an illumination spectral at the visible light region and is controllable using a computer. The prepared simulator with controllable spectral filter was used to utilize the current-voltage (I-V) measurement for solar cell testing. The I-V measurement shows that the solar cells efficiency is about 20.49% for blue illumination to 9.05% for red illumination, it is caused by the photon energy of illumination on the solar cells from high to low energy. In addition, the illumination intensity changes all the solar cells parameters, including the short-circuit current (I sc ), the open-circuit voltage (V oc ), and the fill factor (FF). However, due to its lowcost, easy-to-use and integrated spectral filters, the solar simulator could be improved for use in a research laboratory, especially for developing countries.

Real-time measurement of the current–voltage characteristics of a solar cell for laboratory experiment

“…A halogen lamp with 100 W output power is used as the solar simulator, as shown in figure 1(b). Different from the common I-V characteristic measuring devices [15,16], we use current sensor and voltage sensor (In this paper our current and voltage sensors are provided by PASCO company) to replace the current meter and voltage gauge, and connect the sensors with the computer through the universal interface (here we used PASCO850 Universal Interface), as shown in figure 1. With the help of data acquisition software in the computer, real-time automatic measurement of the output current and voltage of solar cells can be realized.…”

“…This classic experiment explores the process of converting solar radiation into electrical energy, which can obtain the electrical parameters of solar cells: short circuit current, open circuit voltage, power output, fill factor (FF) and efficiency principally. The measurement of above electrical parameters can be carried out using solar simulators, a rheostat, a voltmeter and an ammeter [15,16]. As we known, solar simulators are routinely used to perform standard tests on PV modules in certification facilities.…”