IEC standards for photovoltaic devices require the use of specific classes of solar simulators deemed appropriate for specific tests. Solar simulators can be either used for performance measurements of PV devices or endurance irradiation tests. This part of IEC 60904 provides the definitions of and means for determining simulator classifications at the required irradiance levels used for electrical stabilization and characterisation of PV devices.
This document is applicable for solar simulators used in PV test and calibration laboratories and in manufacturing lines of solar cells and PV modules. The A+ category is primarily intended for calibration laboratories and is not considered necessary for power measurements in PV manufacturing and in qualification testing. Class A+ has been introduced because it allows for reduction in the uncertainty of secondary reference device calibration, which is usually performed in a calibration laboratory. Measurement uncertainty in PV production lines will directly benefit from a lower uncertainty of calibration, because production line measurements are performed using secondary reference devices.
