Method and apparatus for measuring areas of photoelectric cells and photoelectric cell performance parameters

Patent · Tue Dec 08 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5449753

Osterwald, C R; Emery, K A

Apparatus for mapping and quantifying effective current-producing cell area of a photovoltaic device in response to irradiation of the device is described comprising: translation stage means for supporting the photovoltaic device thereon; radiation producing means adjacent the translation stage for producing a coherent beam of radiation in a fixed position directed substantially normal to the translation stage onto the photovoltaic device in a focused incident spot having a precise, unvarying diameter, a precise, unvarying shape, and a precise unvarying intensity on the photovoltaic device; signal generating means connected to the drive means for producing intermittent motion implementing signals for the drive means to sequentially move the translation stage in uniform precisely spaced discrete increments of distance in selected orthogonal directions not less than the diameter of the incident spot and for stopping the movement after each discrete increment of distance for an increment of time; electronic sensing means for sensing and measuring the magnitude of electric current response produced by the photovoltaic device; and computer means for producing the motion implementing signal, for correlating and storing measured current response along with the respective geometric positions.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4712063
• OSTI ID: 5449753
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990220 -- Computers
Computerized Models
& Computer Programs-- (1987-1989)
COMPUTERS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
FUNCTIONS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MEASURING METHODS
MONITORING
MONITORS
OPERATION
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
RADIATIONS
RESPONSE FUNCTIONS
SOLAR RADIATION
STELLAR RADIATION