Table 3 Suggested checklist for reporting data from stability tests
Key aspects | Characteristics | Details to be reported |
|---|---|---|
Initial solar cell characterization | Current–voltage (J–V) curves | Light source (light source type, intensity, spectrum, filters applied, calibration), scan speed, direction, dwelling time, the number of power line cycles (NPLC), preconditioning, and so on |
MPP tracking or photocurrent at MPP | Hardware, tracking algorithm, delay time, tracking duration | |
EQE/IPCE spectra | Indicating the lock-in frequency and light bias if used, and if monochromatic light is smaller than active area, or larger and an optical mask applied. Calculated JSC and its comparison to JSC obtained from the J–V data | |
Encapsulation | Wiring | Materials, processing conditions, addition of a protective sealant |
Front- and back-side encapsulation layer(s) | Materials (reference or composition, thickness), processing conditions (environment, temperature, duration) | |
Edge sealant | Materials (reference, thickness, width), processing conditions (environment, curing and so on) | |
Geometry | Rim (minimum distance between encapsulation edge and active area edge), device active area; picture or a scheme of the device | |
Ageing conditions | Light | Light source type, intensity, spectrum, filters applied, calibration |
Temperature | In shadow and/or under illumination, temperature sensor type | |
Atmosphere | Air/glovebox/sealed pouch/environmental chamber, and so on; RH (controlled or monitored) | |
Electrical bias condition | Open circuit/maximum power point/short circuit/constant load | |
Cycling procedure (if applicable) | Dwell and period times | |
Comply with known protocols (IEC, ISOS and so on)? | ||
Ageing time | Stress duration and corresponding performance loss, resting times (for example, without stress). | |
Measurements during ageing | Periodically recorded J–V curves | Recording frequency, scan parameters (similar to ‘Initial solar cell characterization’) |
Recovery before measurements | Recovery time and conditions prior to the measurements. | |
MPP tracking | Tracking parameters (similar to ‘Initial solar cell characterization’) | |
Other periodic measurements (if applied) | ||
Number of samples | Number of solar cells of each type tested under each ageing condition, statistical analysis (if applicable). Number of samples still operating above a specified efficiency level at the end of the ageing test. | |
Outdoor stability | Location and time of exposure | Place or coordinates; dates and total amount of hours of exposure. |
Weather conditions throughout the exposure period | Temperature, humidity, sunlight irradiance (preferably in tabulated format), wind speed, and so on. |
