Practical Methods for Teaching of Solar Cell Characterization

This paper gives insight into methods for practical teaching in the field of solar cell characterization. Since machines for solar cell characterization are mostly situated in some large factories, it is often hard to give student opportunity to get in touch with characterization processes. In this paper, the chamber that can perform basic characterization is designed and tested. The entire device is built around PIC microcontroller that is interfaced with multiple sensors and with a display which gives characterization results to the user. Setting and measuring of environmental conditions together with measuring solar cell output parameters as open-circuit voltage or short-circuit current is enabled. Characterizations of multiple solar cells have been done, with the goal to confirm solar cells parameters. Main characteristics of solar cells are then discussed.