SIMULATOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING ACCEPTANCE ANGLE CHARACTERISTICS OF A SOLAR CONCENTRATOR

1 . A system for simulating operation of a solar module, the system comprising:

a frame for holding the solar module in a testing position;

a light source positioned adjacent to the solar module for directing light from the light source to the solar module; and

a movable assembly for simulating movement of a solar tracker system, wherein the movable assembly moves in two axes to change an incident angle of the light with respect to the testing position of the solar module.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a collimating optic positioned adjacent to the solar module, wherein divergent light from the light source is transformed into collimated light that is directed to the solar module.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the movable assembly moves the frame.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the movable assembly moves the light source.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the movable assembly is capable of rotating in a vertical axis and a horizontal axis.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the movable assembly is an X-Y robot device.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the movable assembly is capable of moving the light source from a first position to a second position and the system further comprising a circuit for measuring a first characteristic of a solar module with the assembly in the first position and a second characteristic with the assembly in the second position.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the first characteristic is an acceptance angle.

9 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a circuit for measuring a characteristic of the solar module, and wherein the characteristic is power produced by reflected light on the solar module.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the movable assembly comprises a movable inner frame and a movable outer frame.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the movable inner frame comprises a clamping assembly for mounting the solar module.

12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the movable assembly is capable of moving the solar module from a first position to a second position, and the system further comprising a circuit for measuring a first characteristic of the solar module with the movable assembly in the first position and a second characteristic of the solar module with the movable assembly in the second position.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the first characteristic is an acceptance angle.

14 . A method for simulating operation of a solar module, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a frame for holding the solar module in a testing position;

positioning a light source adjacent to the frame for directing light from the light source to the solar module; and

providing a movable assembly to simulate movement of a solar tracker system, wherein the assembly moves in two axes to change an incident angle of the light with respect to the testing position of the solar module.

15 . The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of positioning a reflector across from the solar module, wherein light is directed from the light source to the reflector for reflecting light to the solar module.

16 . The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of moving the frame.

17 . The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of moving the light source.

18 . The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of moving the movable assembly for translating the light source from a first position to a second position and providing a circuit for measuring a first characteristic of the solar module with the movable assembly in the first position and a second characteristic of the solar module with the movable assembly in the second position.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the first characteristic is an acceptance angle.

20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the second characteristic is an acceptance angle.