Testing Facilities
Electrical and Optical Characterization at the PV Laboratory
Indoor electrical characterization of BIPV modules
The Photovoltaic Laboratory of CIEMAT includes AAA+ solar simulators, I-V curve tracers, bipolar power sources, etc., to conduct the electrical characterization of BIPV modules under controlled testing conditions. Electroluminescence equipment, thermal imaging cameras, and microscopes allow detecting and analyzing potential defects.
Optical characterization of BIPV modules
For the optical characterization of BIPV modules, the spectral reflectance and transmittance can be measured with a double-beam UV/Vis/NIR spectrophotometer equiped with an integrating sphere; daylighting, color rendering, and other optical properties, as well as the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), can then result from those measurements, according to the applicable standards (EN 410, ISO 950).
BIPV modules at the solar simulator chamber
Equipment for the optical characterization of PV modules
Journal Articles
Energies
Comparative Performance of Semi-Transparent PV Modules and Electrochromic Windows for Improving Energy Efficiency in Buildings
N. Martín-Chivelet, C. Guillén, J. Trigo, J. Herrero, J. Pérez, F. Chenlo, 2018
Energy and Buildings
Luminous and solar characterization of PV modules for building integration
F.J. Moralejo-Vázquez, N. Martín-Chivelet, L. Olivieri, E. Caamaño-Martín, 2015
Energy
Energy saving potential of semi-transparent photovoltaic elements for building integration
L. Olivieri, E. Caamaño-Martín, F.J. Moralejo-Vázquez, N. Martín-Chivelet, F. Olivieri, F.J. Neila-Gonzalez, 2014