PV Module Test Setups

In general, one can find three different setup types for module testing and calibration:

* Laboratory Style Setups: 

Typically, the light beam of the (flashlight) solar simulator is horizontal. To ensure a good uniformity, these systems have a large distance between lamps and the measurement (module) plane. Due to the large distance, the light incidence (view) angle will be relatively small, so that reflection effects off the module glass will be similar to operation in sunlight. More details on our systems: PV Module Tester for Laboratory

Sometimes, also table systems are used in a laboratory, especially, if very long flash plateau times are required.

 * Production Line Setups (Table):

In a production line, often, table systems are used for module testing. Due to their low height, they can easily be integrated into a production line. Our table type testers have a height of 1m to match the layout of the line. More details on our systems: Table PV Module Testing

 * Production Line Setups (Tower):

In order to save floor space but still have a small incidence angle of the light, often, tower systems are used. here, the light beam is vertical. The lamp is mounted at a height of 3-5m above the module position (e.g. the production line). It is typically mounted inside a black coated tower. More details on our systems: Tower PV Module Tester

For general properties of solar simulators, such as solar simulator classification (light uniformity, spectral content, time variation of light), also see: Solar Simulator.