Concentrator photovoltaic standards: Experimental analyses of technical requirements

The continuing development and the increasing diffusion of concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) systems highlight the lack of specific international standards in the CPV power rating and characterization field. Presently, the only reference standard for CPV cells and modules is the IEC 62108, which does not impose minimum requirements for solar trackers and simulators used in the qualification process of CPV modules. Nevertheless, the overall quality of CPV tests is strictly associated to the technical specifications of these devices. The aim of this paper is to define optical and radiometric properties of solar simulators and the pointing accuracy of solar trackers, required for testing CPV devices and rating their performance. The results of experimental analyses on real CPV systems have been reported, highlighting the criticalities of indoor and outdoor CPV characterization. Finally an outdoor light soaking test, executed under MPPT conditions, has been proposed for the qualification process of high concentrating photovoltaic devices.