A solar cell characteristics plotter

Abstract

This paper describes a solar-cell characteristics plotter with its associated sample holder. The plotter has facilities for both manual and auto-plotting with built-in current limit against damage of the solar cell under test. Either current or power output can be plotted as a function of terminal voltage and there is provision for marking the maximum power point on the curve. The sample holder allows the temperature of the solar cell to be varied over a range from approximately -188 to 250 degrees C and permits investigation of other properties of materials used in the making of the solar cell, e.g. the antireflection layer. If temperature variation is not required the holder can be water cooled to prevent overheating of the solar cell during test. The plotter can also be used for the investigation of other semiconductor devices, and is ideal for use in small research and development laboratories.