ASTM E927-10
(Specification)Standard Specification for Solar Simulation for Terrestrial Photovoltaic Testing
Standard Specification for Solar Simulation for Terrestrial Photovoltaic Testing
ABSTRACT
This specification provides the performance requirements and parameters used for classifying both pulsed and steady state solar simulators intended for indoor testing of photovoltaic devices (solar cells or modules), according to their spectral match to a reference spectral irradiance, non-uniformity of spatial irradiance, and temporal instability of irradiance. The classification of a solar simulator is based on the size of the test plane, and does not provide any information about electrical measurement errors that are related to photovoltaic performance measurements obtained with a classified solar simulator.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification provides means for classifying solar simulators intended for indoor testing of photovoltaic devices (solar cells or modules), according to their spectral match to a reference spectral irradiance, non-uniformity of spatial irradiance, and temporal instability of irradiance.
1.2 Testing of photovoltaic devices may require the use of solar simulators. Test Methods that require specific classification of simulators as defined in this specification include Test Methods E948, E1036, and E1362.
1.3 This standard is applicable to both pulsed and steady state simulators and includes recommended test requirements used for classifying such simulators.
1.4 A solar simulator usually consists of three major components: (1) light source(s) and associated power supply; (2) any optics and filters required to modify the output beam to meet the classification requirements in Section 4; and (3) the necessary controls to operate the simulator, adjust irradiance, etc.
1.5 A light source that does not meet all of the defined requirements for classification presented in this document may not be referred to as a solar simulator.
1.6 Spectral irradiance classifications are provided for Air Mass 1.5 direct and global (as defined in Tables G173), or Air Mass 0 (AM0, as defined in Standard E490).
1.7 The classification of a solar simulator is based on the size of the test plane; simulators with smaller test plane areas have tighter specifications for non-uniformity of spatial irradiance.
1.8 The data acquisition system may affect the ability to synchronize electrical measurements with variations in irradiance and therefore may be included in this specification. In all cases, the manufacturer must specify with the temporal instability classification: (1) how the classification was determined; and (2) the conditions under which the classification was determined.
1.9 The classification of a solar simulator does not provide any information about electrical measurement errors that are related to photovoltaic performance measurements obtained with a classified solar simulator. Such errors are dependent on the actual instrumentation and procedures used.
1.10 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.11 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the hazards portion, Section 6, of this specification. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.
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Designation:E927 −10
StandardSpecification for
1
Solar Simulation for Photovoltaic Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E927; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope bility classification: (1) how the classification was determined;
and (2) the conditions under which the classification was
1.1 This specification provides means for classifying solar
determined.
simulators intended for indoor testing of photovoltaic devices
1.9 The classification of a solar simulator does not provide
(solar cells or modules), according to their spectral match to a
any information about electrical measurement errors that are
reference spectral irradiance, non-uniformity of spatial
related to photovoltaic performance measurements obtained
irradiance, and temporal instability of irradiance.
with a classified solar simulator. Such errors are dependent on
1.2 Testing of photovoltaic devices may require the use of
the actual instrumentation and procedures used.
solar simulators. Test Methods that require specific classifica-
1.10 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
tion of simulators as defined in this specification include Test
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Methods E948, E1036, and E1362.
standard.
1.3 This standard is applicable to both pulsed and steady
1.11 Thefollowingprecautionarycaveatpertainsonlytothe
state simulators and includes recommended test requirements
hazards portion, Section 6, of this specification. This standard
used for classifying such simulators.
does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any,
1.4 A solar simulator usually consists of three major com- associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this
standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices
ponents: (1) light source(s) and associated power supply; (2)
any optics and filters required to modify the output beam to and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements
prior to use.
meet the classification requirements in Section 4; and (3) the
necessary controls to operate the simulator, adjust irradiance,
2. Referenced Documents
etc.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.5 A light source that does not meet all of the defined
E490 Standard Solar Constant and Zero Air Mass Solar
requirements for classification presented in this document may
Spectral Irradiance Tables
not be referred to as a solar simulator.
E772 Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
1.6 Spectral irradiance classifications are provided for Air
E948 Test Method for Electrical Performance of Photovol-
Mass 1.5 direct and global (as defined in Tables G173), or Air
taic Cells Using Reference Cells Under Simulated Sun-
Mass 0 (AM0, as defined in Standard E490).
light
E1036 Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Noncon-
1.7 The classification of a solar simulator is based on the
centrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays
size of the test plane; simulators with smaller test plane areas
Using Reference Cells
have tighter specifications for non-uniformity of spatial irradi-
E1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy
ance.
3
Conversion (Withdrawn 2012)
1.8 The data acquisition system may affect the ability to
E1362 Test Method for Calibration of Non-Concentrator
synchronize electrical measurements with variations in irradi-
Photovoltaic Secondary Reference Cells
ance and therefore may be included in this specification. In all
G138 Test Method for Calibration of a Spectroradiometer
cases, the manufacturer must specify with the temporal insta-
Using a Standard Source of Irradiance
1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar, For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Geothermal and OtherAlternative Energy Sources and is the direct responsibility of contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2010.PublishedJuly2010.Originallyapproved the ASTM website.
3
in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E927 – 05. DOI: 10.1520/ The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
E0927-10. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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E927−10
G173 TablesforReferenceSolarSpectralIrradiances:Direct 1.5 Global (as defined in Tables G173), or Air Mas
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:E927–05 Designation: E927 – 10
Standard Specification for
1
Solar Simulation for Photovoltaic Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E927; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification provides means for classifying solar simulators intended for indoor testing of photovoltaic devices (solar
cells or modules), according to their spectral match to a reference spectral irradiance, non-uniformity of spatial irradiance, and
temporal instability of irradiance.
1.2 Testing of photovoltaic devices may require the use of solar simulators. Test Methods that require specific classification of
simulators as defined in this specification include Test Methods E948, E1036, and E1362.
1.3 This standard is applicable to both pulsed and steady state simulators and includes recommended test requirements used for
classifying such simulators.
1.4 Asolarsimulatorusuallyconsistsofthreemajorcomponents: (1)lightsource(s)andassociatedpowersupply; (2)anyoptics
and filters required to modify the output beam to meet the classification requirements in Section 4; and (3) the necessary controls
to operate the simulator, adjust irradiance, etc.
1.5 A light source that does not meet all of the defined requirements for classification presented in this document may not be
referred to as a solar simulator.
1.6 Spectral irradiance classifications are provided forAir Mass 1.5 direct and global (as defined in Tables G173), orAir Mass
0 (AM0, as defined in Standard E490).
1.7 The classification of a solar simulator is based on the size of the test plane; simulators with smaller test plane areas have
tighter specifications for non-uniformity of spatial irradiance.
1.8 The data acquisition system may affect the ability to synchronize electrical measurements with variations in irradiance and
therefore may be included in this specification. In all cases, the manufacturer must specify with the temporal instability
classification: (1) how the classification was determined; and (2) the conditions under which the classification was determined.
1.9 The classification of a solar simulator does not provide any information about electrical measurement errors that are related
to photovoltaic performance measurements obtained with a classified solar simulator. Such errors are dependent on the actual
instrumentation and procedures used.
1.10
1.10 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.11 Thefollowingprecautionarycaveatpertainsonlytothehazardsportion,Section6,ofthisspecification. This standard does
not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard
to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E490 Standard Solar Constant and Zero Air Mass Solar Spectral Irradiance Tables
E772 Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
E948 Test Method for Electrical Performance of Photovoltaic Cells Using Reference Cells Under Simulated Sunlight
E1036 Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Nonconcentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays Using
Reference Cells
E1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion
E1362 Test Method for Calibration of Non-Concentrator Photovoltaic Secondary Reference Cells
G138 Test Method for Calibration of a Spectroradiometer Using a Standard Source of Irradiance
G173 Tables for Reference Solar Spectral Irradiances: Direct Normal and Hemispherical on 37 Tilted Surface
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar, Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion.
Current edition approved AprilJune 1, 2005.2010. Published May 2005.July 2010. Originally approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 20042005 as
E927–04a.E927 – 05. DOI: 10.1520/E0927-105.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary
...
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