ASTM E1328-99

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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Designation: E 1328 – 99
Standard Terminology
Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1328; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2p steradian field-of-view incident upon a surface that is
perpendicular to the axis of the solid angle defined by the
1.1 This terminology pertains to photovoltaic (radiant-to-
disk of the sun.
electrical energy conversion) device performance measure-
−2
irradiance, E, Wm , n—See solar irradiance at a point of
ments and is not a comprehensive list of terminology for
surface in Terminology E 772.
photovoltaics in general.
maximum power, n— of a photovoltaic device, the electrical
1.2 Additional terms used in this terminology and of interest
output when operated at a point where the product of current
to solar energy may be found in Terminology E 772.
and voltage is maximum.
2. Referenced Documents open-circuit voltage, n— of a photovoltaic device, the voltage
potential across the positive and the negative terminals under
2.1 ASTM Standards:
irradiation when zero current flows into or out of these
E 490 Solar Constant and Air Mass Zero Solar Spectral
terminals.
Irradiance Tables
photovoltaic cell, n—the basic device that generates electricity
E 772 Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
by the photovoltaic effect when exposed to radiant energy
E 891 Tables for Terrestrial Direct Normal Solar Spectral
such as sunlight.
Irradiance for Air Mass 1.5
photovoltaic cell area, n—the total frontal area of the cell
E 892 Tables for Terrestrial Solar Spectral Irradiance at Air
including the area covered by the grids and contacts.
Mass 1.5 for a 37° Tilted Surface
photovoltaic device, n—any photovoltaic cell or collection of
3. Terminology
cells (module, panel, or array) under consideration.
photovoltaic module, n—a single package containing two or
3.1 Definitions:
more electrically interconnected photovoltaic cells.
−1
absolute spectral response, n—R (l), AW ,n—of a photo-
a
photovoltaic module area, n—the rectangular area that
voltaic device, the short-circuit current density per unit
touches the extreme outside edges of the module.
irradiance at a given wavelength.
photovoltaic reference cell, n—a photovoltaic cell whose
short-circuit current is calibrated against the total irradiance
DISCUSSION—Spectral response is normally reported over the wave-
length range to which a device responds. of a reference spectral irradiance distribution. See also
reference cell calibration constant.
cell temperature, n—the temperature of the semiconductor
primary photovoltaic reference cell, n—a photovoltaic ref-
junction of a photovoltaic cell.
erence cell calibrated in sunlight.
efficiency, n—of a photovoltaic device, the ratio of the power
rated power, n— See reported power.
produced by a photovoltaic device operated at its maximum
reference cell calibration constant, n—a number that ex-
power point to the incident radiant power.
presses the calibration of a photovoltaic reference cell in
fill factor, n—of a photovoltaic device, the ratio of maximum
terms of short-circuit current per unit incident irradiance at a
power to the product of open-circuit voltage and short-circuit
given temp
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