PV I-V Curve Testing Equipment and Model Scope
TDM's current Reliability portfolio separates three test roles: SE920 explicitly lists steady-state I-V and degradation testing, SE400 is a PVK MPPT testing system, and SE910 is a PV module light-degradation tester. Published quantitative data primarily defines each product's illumination and test environment; electrical acquisition specifications require configuration confirmation.
Product-Backed I-V, MPPT and Degradation Scope
| Model | Published role | Published specifications | Electrical-data status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE920 | Steady-state IV and degradation testing; product data lists IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 | A+A+A+ light source; 300–1200 nm; 200–1200 W/m² in 100 W/m² steps; <1% irradiance non-uniformity; ≥97% spectral coverage; 1200 × 600 mm sample | Voltage/current range, electrical accuracy, sampling rate, sweep time, channel count, connection method, extracted IV outputs and calibration procedure are not published |
| SE400 | MPPT testing under an IEC 60904-9 Class A+ illumination environment | A+A+A+ LED source; 350–1200 nm; 0.2–1.2 SUN; STI <0.25%; LTI <1%; spatial non-uniformity <1%; 1–100 s flash or continuous illumination | MPPT algorithm, tracking accuracy, voltage/current range, electrical channels, sampling rate and output fields are not published |
| SE910 | Light-degradation testing; product data lists IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 | Double-layer design, intelligent temperature control and adjustable irradiation power; sample size and channel count are upgrade options | The public product data does not list IV-curve or MPPT measurement functionality |
I-V Testing, MPPT Testing and Degradation Are Different
I-V Curve Testing
An I-V test records current against voltage under controlled illumination. A complete implementation may derive Voc, Isc, Pmax and fill factor, but the current SE920 product page does not enumerate its electrical outputs or acquisition specifications.
MPPT Testing
MPPT testing evaluates operation around a maximum-power point over time. SE400 is explicitly named a PVK MPPT Testing System, while its published quantitative data describes the illumination environment rather than the tracking algorithm or electrical measurement chain.
Light-Degradation Testing
Degradation testing exposes a module under controlled light and temperature conditions. SE910 is dedicated to light degradation; SE920 combines steady-state IV and degradation functionality. These roles should not be treated as interchangeable electrical specifications.
SE920 Published I-V Test Environment
SE920 is the relevant TDM model for this topic because its product functionality explicitly includes steady-state I-V and degradation testing. The published numeric evidence is:
| Test role | Steady-state IV and degradation testing |
|---|---|
| Standards listed | IEC 61215, IEC 61730 |
| Solar simulator grade | A+A+A+ |
| Irradiance non-uniformity | <1% (A+ grade) |
| Spectral coverage | ≥97% |
| Spectral range | 300-1200 nm |
| Irradiance | 200-1200 W/m², adjustable in 100 W/m² steps |
| Module temperature control | Controlled sample <20°C at 1000 W/m² within 30 min |
| Sample size | 1200 × 600 mm |
| Light-source cooling | Water cooling |
These specifications establish the illumination, sample and thermal conditions. They do not establish the electrical range, accuracy, sampling or curve-output fields.
SE400 Published MPPT Illumination Environment
SE400 should be evaluated as an MPPT system, not automatically described as a full I-V curve tester. Its published quantitative specifications are:
| Test role | PVK MPPT testing |
|---|---|
| Grade standard | IEC 60904-9 |
| Light-source grade | A+A+A+ |
| Light-source type | Multi-spectral LED, over 30 LED chip types |
| Spectral match | AM1.5, 0.875-1.125 (Class A+) |
| Spectral range | 350-1200 nm |
| Temporal instability | STI <0.25%; LTI <1% |
| Spatial non-uniformity | <1% (Class A+) |
| Irradiance | 200-1200 W/m² (0.2-1.2 SUN) |
| Illumination duration | 1-100 s; continuous under water cooling |
| Irradiance monitoring | 1 channel standard; multi-channel optional |
The product page does not specify the MPPT algorithm, tracking accuracy, electrical range, acquisition rate or electrical outputs.
IEC Documents Relevant to I-V and MPPT Testing
The test-method document, illumination-classification document and module qualification standards are not interchangeable. A product page that lists one standard does not establish complete conformity to the others.
| Document | Relationship to this page | Claim boundary |
|---|---|---|
| IEC 60904-1:2020 Photovoltaic devices — Part 1: Measurement of photovoltaic current-voltage characteristics | Directly addresses procedures for photovoltaic I-V curve measurement. | SE920 does not currently list this document or publish enough electrical acquisition data to claim conformity. |
| IEC 60904-9:2020 Photovoltaic devices — Part 9: Classification of solar simulator characteristics | Directly addresses classification of the solar-simulator illumination environment. | A light-source class does not define an MPPT algorithm, electrical accuracy or complete I-V measurement conformity. |
| IEC 61215 series Terrestrial photovoltaic modules — Design qualification and type approval | Provides design-qualification and type-approval context; SE920 lists the standard family. | A standards listing and one I-V/degradation function do not demonstrate completion of the full qualification sequence. |
| IEC 61730 series Photovoltaic module safety qualification | Provides PV module safety-qualification context; SE920 lists the standard family. | I-V data does not establish construction compliance or completion of the required safety tests. |
Electrical Specifications to Confirm Before Selection
An I-V or MPPT equipment quotation should identify the following conditions. They are not currently published for SE920 or SE400:
- Device type, sample dimensions and contact layout.
- Voltage and current source/measurement ranges.
- Electrical accuracy, resolution and repeatability.
- Sampling rate, sweep duration or MPPT update interval.
- Number of electrical and irradiance-monitoring channels.
- Connection method, fixtures and temperature sensing.
- Reference device, calibration and correction procedure.
- Required calculated outputs, raw data and export format.
Send these requirements together with irradiance, spectrum and temperature conditions so TDM can confirm a model and configuration without applying one product's specifications to another.
Request an electrical test configuration
Frequently Asked Questions
Which TDM product explicitly supports I-V curve testing?
SE920 is the only current public product whose functionality explicitly lists steady-state IV and degradation testing. Its published quantitative specifications cover the solar simulator, irradiance, spectral range, sample size and temperature-control condition.
What does an I-V curve normally report?
An I-V curve commonly supports calculation of open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, maximum power and fill factor. These are general I-V concepts; the current SE920 product page does not publish its exact output fields, calculation method or electrical acquisition specifications.
Is SE400 an I-V curve tester or an MPPT system?
SE400 is published as a PVK MPPT Testing System. Its product data specifies the IEC 60904-9 illumination environment, spectral range, irradiance, stability and monitoring channels, but it does not publish a full I-V sweep function or MPPT algorithm details.
What electrical measurement specifications are published?
The current SE920 and SE400 product data does not publish voltage/current ranges, electrical accuracy, sampling rate, sweep or tracking timing, wiring method, electrical channel count, calibration procedure or exported electrical fields. These must be confirmed for the selected configuration.
What is the difference between I-V, MPPT and degradation testing?
I-V testing characterizes current versus voltage under a defined condition. MPPT testing evaluates operation around the maximum-power point over time. Degradation testing applies controlled exposure and compares performance over a test sequence. SE920, SE400 and SE910 cover these different published roles.
Which IEC document directly covers photovoltaic I-V measurement?
IEC 60904-1:2020 directly describes procedures for measuring photovoltaic current-voltage characteristics. IEC 60904-9 classifies solar simulators, IEC 61215 addresses module design qualification, and IEC 61730 addresses module safety qualification. These documents have different scopes.
