Design and study of an irradiance distribution measuring method based on a photodiode array

Abstract

In this work, an irradiance distribution measuring method based on a photodiode array was proposed to measure the irradiance distribution of truncated compound parabolic concentrators (CPCs). Firstly, truncated CPCs were designed and 3-D printed. Then twelve photodiodes were soldered on a printed circuit board to measure the irradiance distribution of CPCs. Besides, a box was manufactured to support the board and CPCs. Irradiance distribution of CPCs was measured under the illumination of Oriel AAA class solar simulator. Corresponding non-uniform factors of irradiance profiles of CPCs were evaluated based on the concept of standard deviation. Experimental results were compared with simulated irradiance profiles of CPCs. A maximum relative error of 13.1% was found between experimental and theoretical results, which verified the feasibility of the proposed photodiode array based irradiance distribution measuring method.