Patent ID: 8752970

Claim:
A method of testing a photovoltaic cell, the method comprising: determining a desired spectral content of radiating light for the photovoltaic cell; adjusting a solar simulator to provide the desired spectral content of radiating light for the photovoltaic cell locating the photovoltaic cell at a target area that is aligned with an opening of the solar simulator; activating an illuminated light source located inside the housing of the solar simulator; reflecting images of the illuminated light source with the plurality of concave mirrors located inside the housing, such that reflected light corresponding to the illuminated light source passes through the opening, wherein the plurality of concave mirrors further includes: a first plurality of concave mirrors located approximately in a first direction from the light source, the first plurality of concave mirrors arranged into a first set of concave mirrors and a second set of concave mirrors, and wherein the first set of concave mirrors and the second set of concave mirrors are disposed symmetrically with respect to an axis defined by a line between the light source and a center of the target area; a second plurality of concave mirrors located approximately in a second direction from the light source; a third plurality of concave mirrors located approximately in a third direction from the light source, wherein the second plurality of concave mirrors and the third plurality of concave mirrors are disposed symmetrically with respect to the axis; a fourth plurality of flat mirrors located approximately in the second direction; a fifth plurality of flat mirrors located approximately in the third direction, wherein the fourth plurality of flat mirrors and the fifth plurality of flat mirrors are disposed symmetrically with respect to the axis; a sixth flat mirror located approximately in a fourth direction from the light source and further located about at the opening; and a seventh flat mirror located approximately in a fifth direction from the light source and further located about at the opening, wherein the sixth flat mirror and the seventh flat mirror are disposed symmetrically with respect to the axis, and wherein the sixth flat mirror and the seventh flat mirror together form exit mirror assemblies; radiating the photovoltaic cell with the reflected light emitted from the opening; and measuring a photovoltaic response of the photovoltaic cell.