Photovoltaic Testing in the European Communities

Summary

The final goal of solar energy research consists in the development of a cost-effective solar energy conversion technology. Any progress in this field requires a careful comparison to already existing devices. In view of the inherent variability of the incident radiation it is essential that this comparison is made under defined and reproducible conditions. The JRC Ispra is at present constructing facilities to meet these requirements (Project ESTI).

Its first task is to operate facilities for the test of photovoltaic (and photothermal) converters in order to determine their performance, to establish appropriate qualification tests and to estimate expected service life using accelerated and abbreviated testing methods. In the paper we describe briefly which facilities are available at present.

The second task is to promote EC collaboration in solar testing in order to define, develop and validate common performance criteria and standard procedures as base for an objective intercomparison of test results: A Working Group has been established consisting of representatives from research organizations, industry and universities. So far two manuals were prepared, one for performance measurements on solar cells and modules (Specification No. 101), one for qualification testing of modules (Specification No. 201). The action is supplemented by round robin tests for the calibration of solar cells and the evaluation of test methods.