SORAS LS – Steady-state solar simulator for PV modules

In certification laboratories for photovoltaic modules, steady-state solar simulators are mostly used for stabilization / light soaking tests (MQT 19) and hot-spot endurance tests (MQT 09) according to IEC 61215 and IEC 61730. An initial stabilization is required for all PV modules that undergo a standard test procedure. For the hot-spot endurance test (MQT 09), it is important that the operator has easy access to the front and back site of the module. During the test, it is necessary to shade one cell after each other to take infrared pictures, which requires good visibility of the entire back side. Our swiveling module holding system enables easy access to the front and back side of the module.

Due to our cooling system, we can stabilize the temperature in the light chamber at 50°C.

During the shading of the single cells, the standard requires tracing an IV curve for each shaded cell. With our IV curve tracer “IVCT”, it is possible to plot all IV curves in one graph, which eases the process of identifying the most critical cells for hot-spot effects in the module.