Solar simulator for indoor characterization of hybrid CPV/flat-plate modules

The hybrid modules developed by a Swiss startup, Insolight, consist of a micro-concentrator photovoltaic (micro-CPV) sub-module mounted on a non-concentrator Si backplane. Embedding the micro-CPV cells on top of the flat plate module complements the high efficiency of the CPV with the geographic versatility of the Si cells. Characterization of such modules should be adapted for the requirements and challenges posed by the component submodules. The top CPV layer utilizes the direct component of the incident radiation and the bottom Si layer utilizes the diffuse component. Therefore, it is necessary to test the modules under two lighting conditions. This paper demonstrates a novel solar simulator design for the indoor characterization of hybrid modules based on the collimated-light solar simulator for CPV modules developed by the Instituto de Energía Solar-UPM. The new simulator design adds provisions for testing Silicon submodules under uniform diffuse light by incorporating diffusive elements in the collimated-light path and reducing stray light. The existing CPV simulator at UPM has been refurbished to test the new design concepts. The I-V curve of a hybrid module has been characterized indoors using several configurations and compared to reference measurements obtained outdoors in order to optimize and validate the new setup.