Measuring PV Modules
Measurement of the electrical straincurve (IV-curve) of a solar panel
- Irradiation energy (light irradiation)
- Composition of light (lightspectrum)
- Temperature of the cell material
STC measurements
To compare solar cells there is a worldwide agreed on 'standard' measurement condition. This is the Standard Test Condition (STC). The irradiation is 1000 W/m2, the spectrum Air Mass (AM) 1.5 and the cell temperature 25ºC; for proceeds predictions etc. it is also interesting to know what the behaviour of the solar cell will be with other (lower) irradiations then the 1000 W/m2 STC, possibly in combination with different temperatures.
TC (Temperature coëfficiënt)
The performances of a PV module depends on temperature. Therefore, it is important to know what the TC of a certain electrical quantity is. The temperature dependant behaviour can strongly differ per cell material or per cell technology.