Solixon A-22 - Class AAA (Lumartix SA)

Description

The Solixon A-22 class ABB 220 x 220 mm Solar Simulator

Manufacturer website

To save time, we recommend to directly request the quotation from the manufacturer website.

The Solixon A-22 is a class AAA Steady State Solar Simulator intended for continuous operation (24/7).

This unit is compliant with the last norm IEC 60904-9 ed.3 of September 2020 that request light emission between 300 and 1'200nm

This equipment can be used to perform characterization and Light Induced Degradation (light soaking / Stabilization Test) with one unit.

This system is a complete current-voltage (I-V) measurement environment for the most demanding user.

The turnkey solution contains the following elements:

- 1 x Steady State Solar Simulator - Solixon A-22

- 1 x I-V Basic system, Keithley source meter, model 2401 SMU

- 1 x I-V Tracer software

- 1 x Calibrated Reference Si-solar cell

- 1 x PC computer under Windows 11 Pro English

Solixon A-22 has the worldwide best spectral stability and light flux stability, no spectral shift can be measured after 5'000 hours of operation and the light flux reduction is less <1% per 1'000 hours of operation.

All equipment are configured in our factory to reduce the setting time and cost at the customer site. The computer and software are fully installed and configured to be ready after unpacking and connecting.

The long lifetime Lumixo light engine from Lumartix generates a continuous light spectrum corresponding to a class A spectrum (option for spectrum class A+) according IEC 60904-9. This system is designed to illuminate any type of solar cell up to 21 x 21 cm.

The Lumixo light engine is illuminating the 220 x 220cm sample area with a stability and irradiance uniformity within class A.

The system consists of a light engine fit into a reflector box (diffuse illuminator). A 15 mm to 170 mm wide sample holder access gap is granted between the sample holder top surface and the reflector bottom to accommodate probes and other contacting devices having height lower than 150 mm.

The light engine of the simulator and I-V measurement system are controlled by the computer.

Measurements capabilities

- Maximum power determination (MQT 02) IEC 61215-2:2021

- Measurement of temperature coefficients (MQT 04) IEC 61853

- Performance at STC (MQT 06) IEC 61215-2:2021

- Performance at low irradiance (MQT 07) IEC 61215-2:2021

- Stabilization (MQT 19) according IEC 61215-2:2021 norm

Specifications of Solar Simulator - Solixon A-22

Illuminating unit

Spectrum: Class A as per IEC 60904-9:2020 ed.3, JIS8912, ASTM E 927-05

Irradiance: 700 to 1200 W/m2.

Irradiance uniformity: Class A as per IEC 60904-9:202 ed.3, JIS8912, ASTM E 927-05

Class AAA specification is obtained in the irradiance range from 800 to 1'200 W/m2. Lower irradiance settings may reduce the characteristics to class BBB.

Irradiance stability: Class A as per IEC 60904-9:2020 ed.3, JIS 8912, ASTM E 927-05 if the room temperature stays constant.

The characteristics are measured with the illuminating unit loaded with black material (e.g. «Rosco» black foil), if no optical load is provided by the customer.

Sample holder

The sample holder contains:

- a drawer under the illuminating unit

- a thermostated table (sample holder) made of anodized aluminum plates having an internal cooling system.

The thermostated sample holder can be maintained at a constant temperature (+/- 2°C) between 20°C and 75°C when loaded with a light absorbing sample and the lamp power set to 1'000 W/m2 irradiance.

Due to the vast variety of solar modules and encapsulation types possible, it is strongly recommended to provide us with actual samples, so finer temperature specifications may be given for the sample holder.

Unless otherwise agreed in the acceptance tests, the sample temperature is measured with PT100 sensors attached on the back side of the device.

I-V System Basic

Our I-V System Basic is built around the well-known Keithley 2401 Source meter. This proven instrument has all it takes to measure I-V curves (both dark and illuminated) on solar cells. The available current range has a minimum of 10 pA and a maximum of 1A, where the voltage ranges from 1μV to 20V. Unlike the more expensive Keithley sourcemeters that interface by USB, this instrument can only be controlled by a GPIB interface. In our basic I-V System we include a GPIB/USB interface for computer connection of the sourcemeter.

When measuring solar cells, it is very important to use a thermostated sample holder, to avoid measurement due to thermal drift of the sample.

Another important parameter for solar cell metrology is the temperature. A high precision, class A Pt100 temperature sensor including computer interface (USB) is provided with this basic IV-System.

Please note that the Tracer I-V Curve Software is required to operate the I-V System Basic.

Key features

- Instrument for measuring I-V curves (both dark and illuminated)

- Current range min. 10pA and max. of 1A

- Voltage range 1μV to 20V

- Including GPIB interface

- Including class A Pt100 temperature sensor with USB computer interface

I-V Measurement Software

A powerful software named Tracer, controlling the electronic load, allows a user-friendly operation, going from simple current-voltage (I-V) plot tracing to more advanced device characterization. It seems logical for this measurement to use a standard power supply, because a power supply is normally used to provide a variable voltage and current. Unfortunately, this would not work for solar cells.

A solar cell generates current, so you will need to have a power supply that sinks this generated current instead of provide it. This can be done with a so called bi-polar power supply (or electronic load). This is a power supply that can sink and source current at both positive and negative voltages. There are many instruments on the market that can be used a such a bi-polar power supply. Some of them are just bi-polar power supplies while others integrate measurement and control capabilities as well.

Tracer will let you define and setup a system based on different instruments to measure your I-V curves. You can add multiplexers to automatically measure multiple cells by using one single measurement system, implement contact checking and measure monitoring solar cells.

Some examples of the supported hardware:

- Keithley 2400 series

- Keithley 2600 series

- HACKL Electronic Loads

- Kepco BOB

- B&K Electronic Loads

- Toellner loads info

- EKO MP-180 Curve Tracer

- National Instruments Data Acquisition

- MODBUS / Ethernet controlled instruments

Of course, Tracer natively supports the control of all Keithley 2400 and 2600 series SourceMeters. These instruments have proven their strength over time for the measurement of solar cells. They range from 0.1fA – 20 Amperes.

Tracer is developed with the latest Microsoft.NET Technology, which resulted in a modern ‘Microsoft Office' look and feel. A stable operation on the Microsoft Windows platform is guaranteed (Vista or higher).

Other popular platforms like Linux and MacOS will be supported in the future.

Reference Si solar cell

The standard crystalline silicon reference cell manufactured by ReRa is a high-quality precision sensor for the determination of solar simulator irradiance levels. ReRa uses the Radboud University Nijmegen PV Measurement Facility to calibrate the cells indoor. The calibration is done against an established set of reference cells calibrated at NREL and Fraunhofer ISE. These references are measured each year at the spectroradiometer and broadband intercomparison to ensure traceability.

Key features

- Lower cost reference cell

- Calibrated against traceable reference set

- Irradiance and temperature readout

- Protective Quartz (standard) or Schott KG glass window

- Compatible with the Tracer I-V software

- Open and shunted version available

- Several filter options (KG# window) to match spectral response, KG number to be specified at order.

- Including full calibration report (I-V curve plot, Isc, Voc, Impp, Vmpp, Fill Factor and Efficiency)

- Including cables to connect reference cell in a 4 wires configuration

- Including protective suitcase

Models

- Shunted Silicon Reference Cell

- Open Silicon Reference Cell

Options

All reference cells can be ordered with a KG3 or KG5 window for measurements of specific cell materials.

- KG3 window

- KG5 window

Ask for a quotation

Our engineering team is looking forward to receiving your inquiry, and is ready to assist you in determining the best equipment for your application. Send us a quotation request by clicking the "Ask For a Quotation" button above. Feel free to use the comment textfield for telling about your requirements.

Unit type :

Solar Simulator / Light soaker

Light Spectrum :

Class A

Spectrum certification :

By a laboratory accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Service

Light Uniformity :

Class A

Light Stability :

Class A

Light Source :

1 x Lumixo light engine

Lamp lifetime :

up to 40'000 hours (20'000 hours warranty), serviceable

Total illuminated area :

220 x 220 mm

Sample type :

All PV technologies

Sample area :

220 x 220 mm sample area (1 silicon wafer 8'') on an extensible drawer

Sample thickness :

1 to 10 mm thick samples

Sample temperature target :

25°C to 50°C

Illumination non-uniformity :

< 2% Class A

Irradiance stability :

LTI <2%, STI <0.5% Class A

Light engine cooling :

Forced air ventilation

Software :

Lamp control and monitoring: lamp and sample holder temperature, light intensity

Dimensions :

48 x 52 x 123 cm (drawer closed); 48 x 84 x 123 cm (drawer open)

Mass :

~54 kg

Structure :

Aluminum housing

Electromagnetic compatibility :

EN 61000-3-3, EN 60555-2 (2.45 GHz ISM Group 1, Class B Device)

RoHS conformity :

conforms with RoHS

CE conformity :

yes, the components and the whole system is in conformity with the CE regulations, the system is intended for industrial and laboratory use

Warranty :

24 months

Options :

Thermoelectric sample holder cooling.

I-V Software :

I-V Tracer and Solar simulator control

Probes :

No

I-V system basic :

Recommended

I-V system profesionnal :

Only for special application

Multiplexer system :

up to 128 lines