Testing the maximum reverse current rating of a PV cell

7 September 2006

Location: Chisholm Institute, Berwick

Supervisor: Glen Morris (BCSE Accred. F1441)

Monitoring current, voltage and temperature of test cell

Reverse current was slowly increasesd in 240mA steps until cell began to fail.

 

Shannon logging the data from the test setup.

 

Test setup. Note the 2 x 500W spot lights behind. Used to see what the module's Isc and Voc were after damage.

 

Rear of cell under test. Note overheating of cell conductor (peaked at 18A).

 

Cell destruction testing was halted due to smoke from the feed in cables. Note bubbling on insulation.

 

Results of cell testing

 

Time (H:m:s)	Single Cell Volts	Milliamps	Test Cell Temp	Ref Cell Temp	Notes
02:37:00	0.0	0	18.7	18.7
02:38:00	9.5	250	20.8	18.6
02:40:00	14.3	500	30.0	18.5
02:42:00	16.8	750	40.0	18.5
02:43:00	16.9	1000	42.5	18.5
02:46:00	19.4	1250	54.0	18.6	Thin conductor on front of cell flashed
02:50:00	5.7	1500	32.0	18.6
02:50:00	7.2	2000	31.0	18.7
02:51:00	7.6	2250	27.0	18.8
02:52:00	8.0	2500	29.5	18.9
02:53:00	5.4	3000	30.3	18.9
02:54:00	5.7	4000	30.5	18.9
02:55:00	5.1	5000	30.6	18.9
02:56:00	4.6	6000	34.0	18.9
02:57:00	3.9	7000	36.0	18.9
02:58:00	3.8	8000	36.0	18.9
02:59:00	3.0	9000	36.0	18.9
03:00:00	3.7	10000	36.0	18.9	Tested cell with spot lights after overheating and still produced 2.5A output under Isc

 

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