Production of an innovative film-filter for sun simulators: theoretical analysis.

Sun simulators are employed to test the performance of photovoltaic devices according to the standard IEC 61215. Photovoltaic manufacturers need to insert a sun simulator at the end of the PV production chain in order to measure the I-V curve and to evaluate the peak power of PV devices. The sun simulator needs specific lamps to simulate solar spectrum and a specific filter to simulate atmosphere absorbance. Such filter can cost over 6 € per square centimeter. The aim of this work is to develop an alternative filter. In particular, both chemical analysis and spectrophotometric measurements are carried out to evaluate if the Air Mss 1.5 G filter can be replaced by a cheaper material. Preliminary simulations show how specific compounds coated on glass surface can absorb sun spectrum such as the A.M 1,5 filter but with lower costs.