A solar simulator using a LCD projector for students’ laboratory

Abstract

A low-cost solar simulator using a LCD projector as a light source has been developed and tested successfully. The prepared simulator has an illumination spectral at the visible light region and is controllable using a computer. The prepared simulator with controllable spectral filter was used to utilize the current–voltage (I–V) measurement for solar cell testing. The I–V measurement shows that the solar cells efficiency is about 20.49% for blue illumination to 9.05% for red illumination, it is caused by the photon energy of illumination on the solar cells from high to low energy. In addition, the illumination intensity changes all the solar cells parameters, including the short-circuit current (), the open-circuit voltage (), and the fill factor (FF). However, due to its low-cost, easy-to-use and integrated spectral filters, the solar simulator could be improved for use in a research laboratory, especially for developing countries.