Optimal design and experimental test of a solar simulator for solar photovoltaic modules

Abstract

The relevance of determining the health status of Solar PhotoVoltaic Modules SPVM leads to the development of specialized test equipment. These tests are classified according to the electrical and environmental characteristics, that is, online, offline, indoor, and outdoor tests. Outdoor tests are employed to determine the electrical behavior of the SPVM under real atmospheric conditions. However, outdoor tests are subject to variable environmental conditions; therefore, it is unusual to achieve reproducible results. In order to overcome this challenge, indoor tests are incorporated, providing a controlled environment under laboratory conditions for testing, usually called