Reliability Evaluation Through Analytics and Data for Emerging Technology in Photovoltaics

IPVF-Degradation Outdoor

Outdoor Testing

Focus: performance monitoring of photovoltaic technologies, with particular emphasis on thin-film perovskite devices

Electrical Measurement Capabilities
  • 32 measurement channels currently operational
  • Configurable under three modes:
    • Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)
    • Fixed resistance
    • Open-circuit conditions
  • Current-voltage (IV) measurements follow perovskite-specific protocols
  • Each IV point is synchronized with corresponding irradiance level for precise data treatment and analysis
  • Operando dark IV measurements available upon request
  • Supports monitoring of perovskite modules mounted on two-axis solar trackers
Environmental Monitoring
  • Data collected every 1 minute, including:
    • Weather conditions: temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction
    • Broadband and spectral irradiance
    • UV index
    • Solar spectrum
  • Data forms part of the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN), ensuring high accuracy and traceability
  • Includes Radflux measurements for thermal performance analysis
Data Management
  • All raw data automatically stored and processed
  • Custom-built system enabling real-time visualization and monitoring

Description

  • Outdoor performance-monitoring platform (France, Palaiseau) dedicated to PV technologies, with a particular focus on thin-film perovskite devices
  • 32 measurement channels currently operational, configurable under MPPT, fixed resistance or open-circuit conditions
  • High-resolution environmental monitoring (BSRN-standard weather, broadband/spectral irradiance, UV index, solar spectrum), recorded every minute
  • Monitoring of perovskite modules on two-axis solar trackers, with data visualisation

This outdoor platform (France, Palaiseau – https://www.ipvf.fr/platform/accueil-2/) is dedicated to performance monitoring of photovoltaic technologies under real-world conditions, with a particular focus on thin-film perovskite devices. It combines high-precision electrical measurements with detailed environmental tracking to characterise device behaviour outdoors.

32 measurement channels are currently operational, configurable under maximum power point tracking (MPPT), fixed resistance, or open-circuit conditions. Current-voltage measurements follow perovskite-specific requirements, with each IV point synchronised to the corresponding irradiance level for precise data treatment; operando dark IV measurements are available on request. The platform also supports monitoring of perovskite modules mounted on two-axis solar trackers.

Environmental data is collected every minute, including weather conditions (temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction), broadband and spectral irradiance, UV index and solar spectrum. Recorded data form part of the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN), ensuring high accuracy and traceability, and include Radflux measurements for thermal-performance analysis. Raw data is automatically stored and processed through a custom-built system supporting visualisation and monitoring.

The platform team supports a full workflow from sample preparation to outdoor testing: pre-deployment characterisation (hyperspectral and electroluminescence imaging, JV under STC, quantum efficiency, visual inspection), followed by periodic repeat measurements to track performance and degradation trends. An indoor climatic chamber is available to reproduce and isolate specific outdoor stress conditions (light, heat, humidity) for controlled follow-up studies.

Services currently offered by the infrastructure

Outdoor performance-monitoring campaigns (electrical + environmental) for single-junction and tandem PV modules, including two-axis-tracker configurations, at up to 32 parallel channels.

Pre-deployment and periodic characterization (hyperspectral/EL imaging, JV under STC, quantum efficiency) with indoor climatic-chamber follow-up to isolate specific outdoor stress factors.

Modality of access

  • Access via device deployment on the outdoor platform (France, Palaiseau), with remote data visualisation and monitoring during the campaign.
  • Measurement configuration (MPPT, fixed resistance, open-circuit, operando dark IV on request) agreed per campaign according to the research question.

Support offered

  • Guidance on channel configuration and measurement-condition selection for a given device type or research question.
  • Support combining outdoor monitoring data with the indoor climatic chamber for controlled follow-up on specific stress factors.
  • Environmental and electrical data delivered in a format ready that feeds directly into the degradation-mechanism analysis (Infra IPVF-Degradation+AI) described in this catalogue.

Contact / Expertise

IPVF Outdoor Monitoring Platform – https://www.ipvf.fr/platform/accueil-2/