Helios 3198 solar simulator adaptation for the characterization of LCPV prototypes

This paper covers the adaptation and experimental verification that has been carried out to the Helios 3198 solar simulator to use it in the characterization of a LCPV prototype. The challenge is to deal with the diffuse light that can distort the measurement of a LCPV prototype because of the larger acceptance angle. A deflector chamber for the flash lamp has been designed and implemented to capture this diffuse light. The experimental verification has proven the reliability of the solution, demonstrating that the inclusion of this element in the equipment is not modifying the spatial uniformity and the angular distribution of the light at the receiver plane. Therefore, this work demonstrates that the Helios 3198 solar simulator, including a deflector chamber for the lamp, can be used for the characterization of a LCPV prototype.