Inexpensive Indoor Spot-cell and Spot-light Methods for Angle of Incidence Measurements of PV Modules

Komi Apelete Amou, Zachary Hammond, Vibhesh Javalkar, Govindasamy Tamizhmani

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Various testing methods have been explored in the past to study the effect of the angle of incidence (AOI) on the short-circuit current (Isc), and hence the power, of a photovoltaic module. In this paper, we are presenting two simple methods for determining the effect of AOI on the short-circuit current, namely the spot-cell method applied on the 1-cell module and the spot-light method applied on the full-size commercial module. The purpose of this work is to design and establish an inexpensive but accurate indoor test setup that can be used by the industry to obtain AOI curves for a cell or a module. This paper provides details on the construction and operation of the test setup. The AOI curves obtained in this work have been compared and validated using the AOI curves obtained as per IEC 61853-2 standard. This paper presents AOI results obtained on crystalline silicon cells and modules with glass superstrates, with and without anti-soiling coatings, and with and without artificially deposited soil layers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2020 47th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2020
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages2406-2411
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781728161150
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 14 2020
Event47th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2020 - Calgary, Canada
Duration: Jun 15 2020Aug 21 2020

Publication series

NameConference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
Volume2020-June
ISSN (Print)0160-8371

Conference

Conference47th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2020
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityCalgary
Period6/15/208/21/20

Keywords

  • angle of incidence
  • spot-Light method
  • spot-cell method

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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