MP-160-S1 PV Evaluation System

The 6 channel outdoor Photovoltaic (PV) module(s) evaluation system based on the MP-160 is designed to measure I-V curve and module back-side temperature, to evaluate the performance of each module under natural sun light and weather conditions. The main instrument in this system is the MP-160 I-V Tracer, with an additional 6 channel selector for PV modules and a 12 channel selector for thermocouple or irradiance sensors. The measurement software “MP160.exe” controls the MP-160 and selectors. I-V curve, temperature and solar irradiance of each module are measured one by one sequentially. By setting the start, finish time of the day and time interval, the system measures all modules uninterrupted over a long period of time.

Solar cells and modules usually show a gradual performance decline when deployed outdoors and exposed to environmental conditions. EKO evaluation systems are designed to measure the performance characteristics and maximum output power of solar cells and modules. Those are measurement quantities that physically correlate to the incident irradiance and electric load, the spectral efficiency which is strongly depending on the solar spectrum and other electrical properties e.g. the diode characteristics and internal resistance affecting the cell efficiency. To get a proper understanding of the individual performance parameters or characteristics relative to the influencing measurement conditions, special measurement equipment is required. For this purpose EKO offers an adequate measurement solution for most relevant quantities.