ASTM E927-10(2015)
Standard Specification for Solar Simulation for Photovoltaic Testing

Standard No.

ASTM E927-10(2015)

Release Date

2010

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM E927-19

Latest

ASTM E927-19

Scope

1.1 This specification provides means for classifying solar simulators intended for indoor testing of photovoltaic devices (solar cells or modules), according to their spectral match to a reference spectral irradiance, non-uniformity of spatial irradiance, and temporal instability of irradiance.

1.2 Testing of photovoltaic devices may require the use of solar simulators. Test Methods that require specific classification of simulators as defined in this specification include Test Methods E948, E1036, and E1362.

1.3 This standard is applicable to both pulsed and steady state simulators and includes recommended test requirements used for classifying such simulators.

1.4 A solar simulator usually consists of three major components: (1) light source(s) and associated power supply; (2) any optics and filters required to modify the output beam to meet the classification requirements in Section 4; and (3) the necessary controls to operate the simulator, adjust irradiance, etc.

1.5 A light source that does not meet all of the defined requirements for classification presented in this document may not be referred to as a solar simulator.

1.6 Spectral irradiance classifications are provided for Air Mass 1.5 direct and global (as defined in Tables G173), or Air Mass 0 (AM0, as defined in Standard E490).

1.7 The classification of a solar simulator is based on the size of the test plane; simulators with smaller test plane areas have tighter specifications for non-uniformity of spatial irradiance.

1.8 The data acquisition system may affect the ability to synchronize electrical measurements with variations in irradiance and therefore may be included in this specification. In all cases, the manufacturer must specify with the temporal instability classification: (1) how the classification was determined; and (2) the conditions under which the classification was determined.

1.9 The classification of a solar simulator does not provide any information about electrical measurement errors that are related to photovoltaic performance measurements obtained with a classified solar simulator. Such errors are dependent on the actual instrumentation and procedures used.

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

ASTM E927-10(2015) Referenced Document

• ASTM E1036 Standard Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Nonconcentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays Using Reference Cells
• ASTM E1328 Standard Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion
• ASTM E1362 Standard Test Method for Calibration of Non-Concentrator Photovoltaic Secondary Reference Cells
• ASTM E490 Standard Solar Constant and Zero Air Mass Solar Spectral Irradiance Tables
• ASTM E772 Standard Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
• ASTM E948 Standard Test Method for Electrical Performance of Photovoltaic Cells Using Reference Cells Under Simulated Sunlight
• ASTM G138 Standard Test Method for Calibration of a Spectroradiometer Using a Standard Source of Irradiance
• ASTM G173 Standard Tables for Reference Solar Spectral Irradiances: Direct Normal and Hemispherical on 37° Tilted Surface

ASTM E927-10(2015) history

• 2019 ASTM E927-19 Standard Classification for Solar Simulators for Electrical Performance Testing of Photovoltaic Devices
• 2010 ASTM E927-10(2015) Standard Specification for Solar Simulation for Photovoltaic Testing
• 2010 ASTM E927-10 Standard Specification for Solar Simulation for Terrestrial Photovoltaic Testing
• 2005 ASTM E927-05 Standard Specification for Solar Simulation for Terrestrial Photovoltaic Testing
• 2004 ASTM E927-04a Standard Specification for Solar Simulation for Terrestrial Photovoltaic Testing
• 2004 ASTM E927-04 Standard Specification for Solar Simulation for Terrestrial Photovoltaic Testing
• 1991 ASTM E927-91(1997) Standard Specification for Solar Simulation for Terrestrial Photovoltaic Testing