PicoPV Test

PicoPV Systems

Currently engagement concerning PicoPV Systems increases. In order to advance the framework for project development in this field EnDev has effected various activities. One of these is a test series for PicoPV Systems.

It is divided into three phases:

1. Technical Test I
2. Technical Test II
3. Field Tests

Technical Test I

The technical tests are performed by Fraunhofer Gesellschaft (FhG/ISE) in Freiburg, Germany. In the first test phase (2007/ 10 - 2008/ 01) twelve systems were tested on road capability with special focus on mechanical stability, lighting characteristics and operability.

These systems were in detail:

• GL9000SW, Global Marketing Technologies Inc. (US) --> overall picture bad
• MS01, Macro-Solar Technology Co,. Ltd (China) --> overall picture very bad
• Solar 2007-1, Solarprojekt-Freilassing e.v. (Germany) --> overall picture good
• Mightylight, Cosmos Ignite Innovations (India) --> overall picture good
• AISHWARYA, Noble energy Solar Technologies Ltd. (?) --> overall picture middle
• Solar Home System, "Afghanistan" --> overall picture very bad
• 2212SL Wuara, SolEnergy Africa (PTY) Ltd (South Africa) --> overall picture very bad
• SOLUX-LED-100, SOLUX e.v. (Germany) --> overall picture middle
• Sun x-set mobile, Würth Solergy (Germany) --> overall picture middle - bad
• Glowstar GS7, Sollatek Ltd. (UK) --> overall picture middle
• AS018, Astral Solar technology Co. (China) --> overall picture bad
• SOLUX-LED-50, SOLUX e.v. (Germany) --> overall picture middle

Detailed test description can be inspected here:

• Technical Test I (in german)

Technical Test II

Seven solar lanterns reached the second testing stage, of which four are German-made: the Solux LED 100 and Solux LED 50 of the Solux e.V. development assistance project, the Solar 2007-1 by the Freilassing solar promotion project, and the sun x-set mobile produced by Würth. Other lamps of the main test were the Glowstar GS7 of the British company Sollatek, the A­ishwarya NEST-6543 of the Indian manufacturer Noble Energy and the Mightylight 3040, also Indian made.

In the following table you find a selection of the most important criteria:

Testcriteria Level 2

Solar module	Does the system deliver the nominal rated values of power output, open- circuit voltage and shortcircuit current?
Battery	Measure of capacity (NiMH+ Pb), persistence against overcharging (NiMH), simple durability test (NiMH)
Luminous fux	average of 210 minutes
Brennzeit/autonome Zeit	The duration is measured until luminous flux falls to 70 % of the initial value. (beginning from a fully-charged battery)
Luminous efficacy	average is obtained from a period of 210 minutes, beginning from a fully-charged battery.
Charge Controller	Spannungslevel Ladeschluss-/ Lastabwurfspannung, Eigenverbrauch, Signalisierungen, Schutz vor Entladung durch Modul, Wirkungsgrad
Ballast device	How good is the efficiency of the ballast?
Cycle test / degradation of CFL-lamps	How long do CFL lamps last when subjected to a switching cycle of ‘on’ for 60 seconds, ‘off’ for 150 seconds?
Simulation	Ermittlung der solaren Deckungsrate für 5 Standorte bei einer Brenndauer von täglich 3,5 Stunden

Field Test

The publication is available in English and German:

• English version
• German version 

Further Information

• The SOLAR 2007-1 Lantern (Solarprojekt Freilassing e.V.)has been upgraded with new LEDs of 80 lm/W.