High-Throughput Automated Solar Cell Tester

The Spi-Cell Sorter sorts photovoltaic cells according to their electrical performance, tested under simulated sunlight. A pulsed xenon lamp with an optical filter provides a close match to the Air Mass 1.5 Global solar spectrum. The spectrum meets the highest International and ASTM specifications (ASTM E927 Class A). The system features automatic cell handling of coinstacked cells and sorts the tested cells into ten output bins.

A computer with user-friendly software adjusts the lamp intensity, controls the measurement process and cell handling, and acquires cell performance data. The data, as a full I-V curve, allows sorting by a variety of selectable criteria. The computer plots the I-V curve and displays a variety of cell characteristics. Curves and data can be printed and stored on disk.

Features & Benefits

• Transport system handles cells automatically and gently
• Measures and displays the following cell parameters:
  • Complete I-V curve
  • Open circuit voltage, Voc
  • Short-circuit current, Isc
  • Short-circuit current density, Jsc
  • Peak power, Pmp
  • Cell efficiency, η
  • Fill factor, FF
  • Series resistance, Rs
  • Shunt resistance, Rsh
  • Cell temperature, °C
• Illumination uniformity within ±2%
• Single pulse light source, filtered to Class A spectrum
• Low duty cycle reduces heat build up and prolongs life of the optics
• Monitor cell, traceable to NREL standard
• Four-point probe for accurate measurements
• Computer system and software package for operation, measurements, data analysis, printed output, and disk storage