Axiom Test Equipment Blog: Shed Some Light on Solar Power Testing

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May 3, 2022 - Vista, California - Axiom Test Equipment, Inc., an electronic test equipment rental and sales company has published a new blog post on Solar Power Testing. PV technology is gaining wider acceptance, as it is providing electricity for everything from wearable medical devices to large manufacturing facilities. In this post we explain how with the right power supplies for simulation and well-equipped analyzers for investigation, a future with solar power sources such as PV cells, modules, and arrays is closer than we think.

Test equipment for PV cells, modules, panels, and arrays should be capable of performing the types of measurements that typically characterize such PV components and systems, including short-circuit current testing and open-circuit voltage testing, Additional PV measurement capabilities include solar responsivity or how a PV device responds to different wavelengths of light and how efficiently it can convert light to electricity. Useful test equipment capabilities include wide I and V measurement ranges, high AC and DC power accuracy, and high resolution. For controlling DC power levels at various points along a PV system, including at the input to the inverter, auto ranging DC power supplies such as the Keysight N8900 Series provide high resolution and accuracy across wide voltage and current ranges.

Axiom helps provide the best measurement solution for a particular PV system based on the operating conditions. Learn more about the unit that best fits your needs by reading the full blog post on Axiom's website: https://www.axiomtest.com/blog/Shed-Some-Light-on-Solar-Power-Testing

Shed Some Light on Solar Power Testing

When Michael Faraday generated electricity in 1831 by moving a magnet within a coil of wire, he probably never imagined that sunlight could do the same thing. Electromagnetic (EM) turbines powered by fossil fuels may still be the world’s leading sources of electricity, but solar power based on photovoltaic (PV) energy is coming on strong. It is dependable and economical. However, testing PV electricity sources may pose new challenges for engineers and technicians “raised” on traditional electric power supplies. But with the right power supplies for simulation and well-equipped analyzers for investigation, a future with solar power sources such as PV cells, modules, and arrays looks bright.

Henrich Hertz discovered the photoelectric effect in 1887. He learned that sunlight could discharge electrons in certain materials, causing current to flow at some voltage. It was not until 1954 that a practical PV cell was created at Bell Labs (Berkeley Heights, NJ) by the team of Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson. It converted sunlight to electricity with about 6% efficiency. The efficiency improves with time, as modern PV cells provide conversion efficiency closer to 20%.

Arrays formed of many solar cells are often seen on the outsides of satellites, where exposure to the sun provides electricity in space. Meanwhile, PV technology is gaining wider acceptance back on Earth, as PV cells, modules, panels, and arrays are providing electricity for everything from wearable medical devices to large manufacturing facilities. Although solar electric sources produce electricity that must be measured, testing the electricity is not quite the same as testing from EM-based electric power sources. For one thing, conversion efficiency from sunlight to electricity must be gauged for PV power sources under different conditions. Many variables can affect PV conversion efficiency, but regional and global standards define the test conditions required for testing solar power devices and systems as needed for different applications.

 

Whatever your project requires testing of, rent or buy quality test equipment from Axiom Test Equipment. For over 15 years Axiom Test Equipment has rented, sold, repaired and accepted trade-in of test equipment to support your test & measurement needs. If you would like help selecting any type of test equipment for your next project, contact Axiom Test Equipment's sales department at sales@axiomtest.com, call 760-806-6600, or browse Axiom Test Equipment's inventory online at www.axiomtest.com.

For any further questions or requirements, contact Axiom Test Equipment at sales@axiomtest.com, call 760-806-6600, or visit Axiom Test Equipment online at www.axiomtest.com.

About Axiom Test Equipment

Get Exactly What You Need. Rent - Buy - Repair - Trade-In

Established in 2005, Axiom Test Equipment strives to continually improve itself and offer the best value for its customers. We offer our customers several practical, efficient and cost effective solutions for their business or projects' test equipment needs. Whether you need to rent & buy test equipment, repair test equipment, sell or trade equipment, we are committed to providing superior customer service and high quality electronic test equipment.

At Axiom Test Equipment we provide several services. We rent electronic test and measurement equipment. We also sell test equipment. If you have a piece of malfunctioning or broken test equipment we also have an in-house repair lab. For anyone seeking a way to offload their surplus or obsolete equipment, we offer a trade-in program or we can buy the equipment from you.

We stock a comprehensive inventory of equipment and can use our extensive network to find you those hard to get items. We believe in getting equipment to you quickly and at a competitive price.

Contacts

Fabian Garcia
Axiom Test Equipment
2610 Commerce Way 
Vista, CA  92081
Phone: (760) 806-6600
Web: www.axiomtest.com

Posted May 6, 2022