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