ASTM_E_1328_-_05.pdf

Designation:E 1328 05Standard TerminologyRelating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1328;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This terminology pertains to photovoltaic(radiant-to-electrical energy conversion)device performance measure-ments and is not a comprehensive list of terminology forphotovoltaics in general.1.2 Additional terms used in this terminology and of interestto solar energy may be found in Terminology E 772.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E 490 Solar Constant and Air Mass Zero Solar SpectralIrradiance TablesE 772 Terminology Relating to Solar Energy ConversionG 173 Tables for Reference Solar Spectral Irradiances:Direct Normal and Hemispherical on 37 Tilted Surface3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:absolute spectral response,nRa(l),AW1,nof a photo-voltaic device,the short-circuit current density per unitirradiance at a given wavelength.DISCUSSIONSpectral response is normally reported over the wave-length range to which a device responds.cell temperature,nthe temperature of the semiconductorjunction of a photovoltaic cell.efficiency,nof a photovoltaic device,the ratio of the powerproduced by a photovoltaic device operated at its maximumpower point to the incident radiant power.fill factor,nof a photovoltaic device,the ratio of maximumpower to the product of open-circuit voltage and short-circuitcurrent.global horizontal solar irradiance,nSee global solar irra-diance in Terminology E 772.global normal solar irradiance,n solar irradiance from a2p steradian field-of-view incident upon a surface that isperpendicular to the axis of the solid angle defined by thedisk of the sun.irradiance,E,Wm2,nSee solar irradiance at a point ofsurface in Terminology E 772.maximum power,n of a photovoltaic device,the electricaloutput when operated at a point where the product of currentand voltage is maximum.open-circuit voltage,n of a photovoltaic device,the voltagepotential across the positive and the negative terminals underirradiation when zero current flows into or out of theseterminals.photovoltaic array,nan assembly of panels or modules,together with support structure and other components(ifused),to form a complete dc power-producing unit.photovoltaic cell,nthe basic device that generates electricityby the photovoltaic effect when exposed to radiant energysuch as sunlight.photovoltaic cell area,nthe total frontal area of the cellincluding the area covered by the grids and contacts.photovoltaic device,nany photovoltaic cell or collection ofcells(module,panel,or array)under consideration.photovoltaic module,na single package containing two ormore electrically interconnected photovoltaic cells,includ-ing a frame or integral mounting points,and means forelectrical connection;which make it suitable for field instal-lation without additional modification.photovoltaic module area,nthe rectangular area thattouches the extreme outside edges of the module.photovoltaic panel,na number of modules which areelectrically connected and mechanically integrated,anddesigned to provide a field-installable unit.photovoltaic reference cell,na photovoltaic cell whoseshort-circuit current is calibrated against the total irradianceof a reference spectral irradiance distribution.See alsoreference cell calibration constant.primary photovoltaic reference cell,na photovoltaic ref-erence cell calibrated in sunlight.rated power,n See reported power.1This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar,Geothermal,and OtherAlternative Energy Sources and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion.Current edition approved April 1,2005.Published May 2005.Originallyapproved in 1990.Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E 1328 03.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.1Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.reference cell calibration constant,na number that ex-presses the calibration of a photovoltaic reference cell interms of short-circuit current per unit incident irradiance at agiven temperature.DISCUSSIONFor a calibrated reference cell,the calibration constantequals the short-circuit current of the photovoltaic reference cell whenirradiated by a reference spectral irradiance distribution(such as TablesE 490 or G 173)divided by the total irradiance of that referencespectral irradiance distribution.reported power,n of a photovoltaic device,the outputpower at a selected test voltage.re