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Clear Priority Emerges for Top Four Solar Cell Test Methods
For those engaged in solar cell research Mark Cejer. “We were a bit surprised not to research lab. And, Asian respondents were
and development, a large majority of see more priority given to shunt resistance far more definitive about the most valuable
respondents worldwide identified their “key and series resistance tests, as we hear solar cell tests for production than for
parameters” for measurement as short- quite a bit about how important those research applications.
circuit current (ISC), open-circuit voltage measurements are to characterizing device
(VOC), maximum output power (PMAX) performance. Overall, other than a clear Engineers in general seem to be relatively
and, to a lesser extent, conversion preference for the top three tests, there unfazed by the solar cell industry’s rather
efficiency. Respondents in North America remains a significant amount of variation in complicated battery of tests. When asked
and Europe showed consistent agreement the industry about what tests are most which tests presented technical challenges,
on what constitutes their most important meaningful. There may be several reasons none of the 15 tests appeared to pose a
tests, with a well-defined gap between for this variation. For example, the tests problem for a large portion of the
these top four and ten other tests. used may vary depending on the cell respondents, either in the research or
Respondents from Asia, while agreeing with technology or on the market for which they production test phase.
the same top four tests, showed much less are intended. Also, many of the solar cell
preference for them as other tests were technologies are relatively new and This held true for even the most demanding
cited as key parameters nearly as often as therefore there are no industry-standard tests included on the list, such as quantum
the top four. testing methodologies.” efficiency and conversion efficiency.
Maximum power output was identified as
“The top three tests indicated by The priority of test parameters characterized the most difficult test to perform, with 28%
respondents are consistent with what as solar cell/photovoltaics move into noting it as the “most challenging,” perhaps
customers tell us are important production remained much the same, but reflecting the difficulty of integrating 50W
methodologies for them in the research there was far less agreement about the power supplies into a test system for this
phase,” noted Keithley Marketing Director most important tests than was found in the type of research.
Frost and Sullivan predict rebound for European lighting market - 28 Jan, 2010
Frost & Sullivan forecasts a quick recovery inefficient lighting in September 2009, along with an increase in construction
for the European energy efficient lighting starting with incandescent lamps. This has efforts. A high level of government support
market in 2011. Greater emphasis on energy created considerable opportunity for the use will ensure that the European EEL market is
savings in the lighting sector and new of energy efficient lamps in the residential insulated from the worst of the economic
legislation on phasing out inefficient lighting and, to an extent, the commercial sector. recession, with projected high demand in
will help the European energy efficient There are also many other EU-wide and 2010 underpinning a quick recovery in 2011.
lighting (EEL) market bounce back from national legislations aimed at increasing the
negative growth by 2010. As all of Europe share of energy efficient technologies. “Manufacturers will have to brace
switches over to more energy-efficient themselves for the tough year ahead, and try
lighting technology, the mainstream compact Over the last decade, the Energy not to increase costs to the end consumer,”
fluorescent lamps (CFLs), halogen lamps Performance of Buildings Directive has had advises Frost & Sullivan Analyst Szanto.
and high growth, light emitting diodes (LED) a significant pan-European impact. It has “This is a crucial time as the technology
lamps sectors will see steady growth rates resulted in national legislation in France and begins to enter the mainstream, and
in the years ahead. Germany that support the use of more consumer perception will decide how well
energy efficient lighting through subsidies the market can sustain itself without
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, and other incentives. However, the current legislative support - this will be crucial to
European Energy Efficient Lighting Markets, economic climate means that construction promote long term growth.”
finds that the markets earned revenues of has slowed down across the EU, affecting
$1.25 billion in 2009 and estimates this to new lighting sales. Nevertheless, current European Energy Efficient Lighting Markets
reach $1.89 billion by 2016. “The European legislative efforts will ensure that consumers is part of the Building Management
EEL market has been boosted by new will have little choice but to gradually favour Technologies Growth Partnership Service
legislation mandating a shift towards energy more energy efficient options for lighting. programme, which also includes research in
efficient lamps as older, more inefficient “The construction slump which began in the the following markets: European Luminaires
lighting gets phased out by 2016,” says EU in 2007 had brought down the lighting Market, European Solar Thermal Heating
Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Reka market in most regions at the time, and the Systems Market and, Strategic Assessment
Szanto. “Other supportive legislation and recession has only exacerbated the of Growth Opportunities in the European
significant technological advances will situation,” states Reka Szanto. “In the short- Green Buildings Markets. All research
bolster the market despite the downward term, the market will be more dependant on services included in subscriptions provide
pressure exerted by macro-economic renovation, as new construction activity detailed market opportunities and industry
factors.” grinds to a halt.” trends that have been evaluated following
extensive interviews with market
The EU implemented a phase out of Economic recovery is expected post 2010, participants.
8 www.compoundsemiconductor.net January/February 2010
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