Konica Minolta Sensing Americas, a company specializing in industrial color, light and shape measurement, has expanded its AK Series of solar reference cells with the addition of new AK-300.
new AK-300 PV Reference Cell
The AK-300 is the world's first dedicated dye-sensitized photovoltaic (PV) reference cell and it has been developed by the company in co-operation with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).
The cell has been built by mounting an optical filter over a stable crystalline silicon (Si) PV cell and it prevents the use of traditional dye materials. Reference cells are utilized to ensure reliable measurements of newly developed PV cells. The AK-300 reference cell reduces errors caused by multiple reflections to zero; provides enhanced durability against exposure to solar simulator light; decreases spectral mismatch error to less than 1%. It can be set up for immediate application.
In case of conventional reference cells, errors produced by multiple reflections accounts to 1.3%. This is significantly minimized to 0.0% with the use of the AK-300. The AK-300 PV cell is equipped with connectors for temperature and I-V measurements. It also features a temperature sensor that helps to reach and maintain the standard 25°C test condition. The cell also has a high durability against light exposure, thus decreasing changes in characteristics and ensuring stability for a longer term. Spectral mismatch is considerably minimized to 1% or less by using the company’s optical filter technology.