ASTM International

Standard Test Method for Calibration of Primary Non-Concentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Reference Cells Using a Tabular Spectrum
 N E1125

Annotation

This test method is intended for calibration and characterization of primary terrestrial photovoltaic reference cells to a desired reference spectral irradiance distribution, such as Tables G173. The recommended physical requirements for these reference cells are described in Specification E1040. Reference cells are principally used in the determination of the electrical performance of photovoltaic devices.

Primary photovoltaic reference cells are calibrated in natural sunlight using the relative quantum efficiency of the cell, the relative spectral distribution of the sunlight, and a tabulated reference spectral irradiance distribution. Selection of the reference spectral irradiance distribution is left to the user.

This test method requires the use of a pyrheliometer that is calibrated according to Test Method E816, which requires the use of a pyrheliometer that is traceable to the World Radiometric Reference (WRR). Therefore, reference cells calibrated according to this test method are traceable to the WRR.

This test method is used to calibrate primary reference cells; Test Method E1362 may be used to calibrate secondary and non-primary reference cells (these terms are defined in Terminology E772).

This test method applies only to the calibration of a photovoltaic cell that shows a linear dependence of its shortcircuit current on irradiance over its intended range of use, as defined in Test Method E1143.

This test method applies only to the calibration of a reference cell fabricated with a single photovoltaic junction.

The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.