Microcrystalline Silicon Reference Cell: AK-110

With the current increasing focus on renewable energy, solar cells (photovoltaic cells) are in the spotlight. As companies strive to improve the performance and characteristics of solar cells, it is necessary to perform evaluation of each product under standard test conditions. For accurate measurements, it is necessary to utilize a reference photovoltaic cell with a calibrated short-circuit current to adjust the intensity of the solar simulator to be used for measurements.

Konica Minolta Sensing’s Filtered PV Reference Cells have the industries best accuracy and stability (in accordance with JIS C8904). The AK-110 can be used with the AK-100 for tandem type (a-si/µ-si) cells or as a standalone reference for µ-si cells. All AK series Reference PV Cells come ready to use right out of the box with a PT-100 temperature sensor and a test report of short circuit current (Isc). They can also be delivered with calibration traceable to NREL or AIST.

Features:
Spectral mismatch error of less than 1%
By employing the high-accuracy optical filter technology cultivated for our color-measuring instruments, we have succeeded in greatly reducing spectral mismatch, which had been a major problem with conventional cells. Spectral mismatch can be suppressed to 1% or less, even when evaluating solar cell performance using JIS C-8942 Class C solar simulators.

Improved durability against solar simulator light
Standard reference cells using optical filters typically have low durability against exposure to solar simulator light.  This causes changes in characteristics due to the effects of light exposure (solarization) making accurate measurements difficult. AK series Reference PV Cells have a high durability against exposure to light, greatly reducing solarization and ensuring stability.

Improved reflection characteristics
Error in short-circuit current (Isc) due to multiple reflection is greatly reduced. Improvements in the optical structure suppress multiple reflections and reduce the 1.3% error of conventional products to 0.0%.

Maintain standard test condition of 25°C
A PT-100 temperature sensor is integrated into the package of the AK series cells, and can be connected to a temperature-controlled stage for reference PV cells to easily achieve and maintain the standard test condition (STC) of 25°C.

Calibration Certificate
A calibration certificate traceable to the National Renewable Energy Lab in the United States or Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology is available as an optional accessory

Software for calculation of spectral mismatch
Every AK series cell includes our Spectral Mismatch Software.  The software can be used to determine the spectral mismatch between the AK Series PV Cell and any manufactured solar cell.