ASTM E1362 Calibration of Non-Concentrator Photovoltaic Secondary Reference Cells

Scope:

The ASTM E1362 test method covers the characteristics of photovoltaic devices, determining their applications and specifications. The method proceeds with a quality check and testing of the chemical composition of materials. The results obtained from this method help in quality control, research, and performance evaluation of photovoltaic devices. Errors are detected, and a reliability check is performed.  

Procedure:

A secondary photovoltaic reference cell is calibrated in ASTM E1362 testing by measuring the cell’s short-circuit current in natural or simulated sunshine while utilizing a primary reference cell to determine incident irradiance. The relative spectral responsiveness of the cell to be calibrated, as well as the relative spectral irradiance of the light source, must be calculated in addition to the short-circuit current. Short-circuit current errors caused by the light source’s spectral irradiance and the primary reference cell’s spectral response are adjusted by dividing the short-circuit current by the spectral mismatch parameter. 

Read more: ASTM E973 Test for Measuring Spectral Mismatch Parameter Between a Photovoltaic Device and a Photovoltaic Reference Cell

Specimen Size:

Specimen size should be as per the requirements. In this ASTM E1362 test, the wavelength interval between spectral response data points shall be a maximum of 50 nm.

Data:

Reference Cell Calibration Constant is calculated by applying the formula where the i subscript refers to the ith data point.

Conclusion:

The ASTM E1362 test method is specifically important for the quality assurance and durability check of photovoltaic devices. Their calibration and characterization are performed. The top service provider in this regard is the Infinita Lab which ensures efficient and reliable testing.