Tool Order: NREL selects Spire’s PV module testing solution

The United States Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has purchased Spire Corporation’s ‘SPI-SUN SIMULATOR’ 4600SLP, the company’s latest model of its Single Long Pulse Solar Simulator technology. The need for the technology is due to the increasing trend in photovolatic module sizes. The technology can now handle modules up to 200 centimeters by 137 centimeters, according to the company.

“It is an honor to have your equipment selected by the laboratory that sets the standard for the industry,” said Roger G. Little, Spire’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our Sun Simulator is recognized in the forefront of the solar module field and we are committed to its consistent improvement and evolution.”

In order to ensure it met the spectral standards set by ASTM International and IEC, Spire recently took delivery of the only Pulse Analysis Spectroradiometer System (PASS) unit outside of NREL to confirm and validate accuracy of Spire’s existing testing instruments.

Steve Hogan, Executive Vice President and General Manger of Spire Solar said, “We are happy to receive this order from NREL. We pride ourselves in the quality of our simulators and have invested a great deal to achieve the proper spectrum and uniformity of these machines. We have more than 200 simulators in the field for both crystalline and thin film modules. Our customers count on them for an accurate measurement of their modules’ performance.”

The photovoltaic module testing system from Spire uses light sources that closely align to the solar spectrum and can test either crystalline or thin film modules in fully-automated or manual mode operations.