Reliability Evaluation Through Analytics and Data for Emerging Technology in Photovoltaics

Outdoor Test Facility – Swansea University

Outdoor Testing

  • Provides a relatively unique environment for evaluating performance and durability of PV cells and modules in a harsh marine climate
  • Exposed to aggressive coastal conditions, offering a valuable testbed for accelerated real-world weathering studies
Testing Capabilities
  • Supports both cell-level and module-level measurements
  • Devices operated under:
    • Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)
    • Periodic current–voltage (JV) sweeps
Current Equipment
  • Programmable DC loads, capable of testing modules up to 120 V and 30 A
  • Typical test protocol: JV sweeps every 5 minutes, followed by holds at maximum power point
Planned Upgrade
  • Addition of Undalogic miniSMU MS01 units (up to 12 V and 180 mA)
  • Enables high-precision MPPT control for small-area devices
Environmental Monitoring & Data
  • Integrated weather monitoring:
    • Irradiance
    • Temperature
    • Humidity
    • Wind
  • High-frequency data acquisition for both environmental and electrical parameters
  • Coastal location + controlled MPPT/JV cycling enables detailed correlation of device performance with environmental stress factors
  • Data centrally stored and remotely accessible for analysis and long-term degradation tracking

SU’s outdoor facility tests perovskite and OPV devices, from small-area cells to full modules, for academic and industrial partners on a short- or long-term basis. Standard protocol: JV sweeps every 5 minutes with MPPT holds between sweeps; smaller devices can use dedicated miniSMU units (from summer 2025) for continuous tracking. Users can request periodic indoor STC reference measurements, basic-to-advanced failure analysis (EL/PL imaging, optical/electrical characterization), and encapsulation/lamination services. All environmental and electrical data is logged and available remotely.

The facility is embedded within SPECIFIC, giving access to Swansea’s wider expertise — including roll-to-roll perovskite printing, flexible encapsulation, and module analysis.