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S o l a r P o w e r D a i l y N e w s W e d n e s d a y, J u l y 1 0 , 2 0 1 3 4 Advanced solar modules often require final testing be made under simulated sunlight conditions that far surpass those specified by current simulator standards (e.g., IEC 60904-9). For example, advanced crystalline silicon (c-Si) modules can possess significant optical sensitivity outside of the stan- dard 400 to 1100 nm spectral range. Additionally, thin film designs may uti- lize long, narrow individual cells mono- lithically interconnected instead of the more traditional square or near-square geometry of large silicon cells. Use of pulsed light to test solar mod- ules is standard practice. For modules that quickly respond to the pulse (e.g., standard c-Si), simulators that can only provide short pulses (20ms or less) may be adequate. However, longer pulse durations, often exceeding 100ms are required before full and stable module output is realized for some of the newer thin film materials (e.g., CIGS/CIS) or advanced c-Si designs (e.g., HIT or n- type mono-crystalline Si). The new 5600SLP Blue simulator from Spire is a low profile compact sys- tem producing Class A+ 300 to 1100 nm performance that far exceeds Class A spectral accuracy and irradiance unifor- mity, and provides constant-intensity, 1- sun flash durations in excess of 130ms. Simulator performance of this quality is needed to accurately characterize many of today's advanced modules. The following example illustrates how simulator spectrum below 400 nm is beneficial: A high-efficiency c-Si module SPIRE'S NEW SPI-SUN 5600SLP BLUE SIMULATOR DELIVERS ACCURATE POWER MEASUREMENT HERAEUS: SILVER MOVES LOWER AS INVESTORS SEEK GREENER PASTURES The mass exodus of investor funds leaving the precious metals arena, in search of higher yields in the Federal Reserve-backed U.S. equity landscape, is arguably the most compelling factor leading to silver's precipitous fall in the first half of the year. Large institu- tional investors such as banks and hedge funds are under constant pres- sure to provide their clients with out- sized returns and it's this seeking of "alpha returns" (the excess return of an investment fund relative to the return of a benchmark index (such as the S&P500) that has them leaving the pre- cious metal complex in search of greener pastures. The current U.S. domestic monetary policy, known as Quantitative Easing (QE), is in its 3rd edition and, coupled with an additional policy, dubbed Operation Twist, has led to a monthly injection of $85 billion dollars into the economy. Since the announcement of QE3 in September of 2012, leading equi- ty market indicators such as the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average Continued on Page 19 Continued on Page 19 Lee M. Oser CEO and Editor-in-Chief Lyle Sapp Senior Associate Publisher Director of Sales Kate Seymour Senior Associate Publisher Kim Forrester Jeff Rosano Associate Publishers Lorrie Baumann Editorial Director Hayden Neeley Senior Associate Editor Kristina Harris Associate Editor Hannah Hollins Assitant Editor Yasmine Brown Graphic Designer Ruth Haltiwanger Sam Micheletti Customer Service Managers Dave Chavez Account Manager Enrico Cecchi European Sales Solar Power Daily News, is published by Oser Communications Group ©2013. All rights reserved. Executive and editorial offices at: 1877 N. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ 85715 520.721.1300/Fax: 520.721.6300 www.oser.com European offices located at Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini, 11, 50125 Florence, Italy. AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION NOT AFFILIATED WITH INTERSOLAR