By Greentech Lead America: Konica Minolta Sensing
Americas, a subsidiary of Konica Minolta Holdings, has unveiled new
AK-120/130/140 Photovoltaic Reference Cells, the world’s first triple junction
solar reference cells.
The AK-120/130/140 is the latest addition to the AK
Series of reference cells. Reference cells are used as a standard point of calibration
to ensure consistent measurements of newly developed photovoltaic cells.
KMSA has collaborated with National Institute of Advanced
Industrial Science and Technology in Japan to develop the reference
cells. The reference cell has been uniquely designed using an optical filter
mounted on a stable crystalline silicon solar cell.
Konica Minolta Sensing’s high-accuracy optical filter
technology originally cultivated for color measuring instruments reduces
spectral mismatch to 1 percent or less even when evaluating solar cell
performance using JIS C-8942 Class C solar simulators.
The AK-120/130/140 is a completely integrated cell with
connectors for I-V measurement as well as temperature measurement. The built-in
temperature sensor can be connected to a commercially available temperature
controlled stage to easily achieve and maintain the standard test condition of
25 degrees C.
AK Series Reference Cells have a high durability against
exposure to light, greatly reducing solarization and ensuring stability even
when used over a long period of time.
Errors in short-circuit current (Isc) due to multiple
reflection is greatly reduced. Improvements in the optical structure suppress
multiple reflections and reduce the 1.3 percent error of conventional products
to 0.0 percent.
Recently, Konica Minolta Sensing unveiled
new AK-300 PV Reference Cell, the world’s first dye-sensitized solar cell.