Ecoprogetti has recently developed a custom testing machine for the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) to support its solar energy initiatives. To support Dubai’s renewable vision, DEWA, which was established in 1992, is playing a key role in powering Dubai’s infrastructure with reliable electricity and water.
But beyond its core utility services, DEWA is also setting up renewable energy research and sustainability, in line with the emirate’s Integrated Energy Strategy 2030. This vision takes concrete form in the DEWA Research & Development Center, located within the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park—the largest single-site solar installation on the planet. Located in the desert, the R&D Center is a LEED Platinum-certified facility designed to accelerate the development and integration of solar technologies. It’s here that Ecoprogetti was called upon to design a machine that could meet the lab’s demanding testing needs.
The Challenge: Versatile Testing for Advanced Solar Modules
DEWA required a flexible testing system that could adapt to evolving PV module technologies. The machine needed to be suitable for both research laboratories, which frequently test modules of different sizes and power ratings, and certification laboratories, which must determine the temperature coefficient of photovoltaic modules according to IEC 60904-10:2020.
This meant building a system that could simulate real-world solar conditions with high precision, while also allowing fine control over module temperature and measurement parameters, down to the smallest detail.
Ecoprogetti’s Answer: The ECOSUN PLUS – BIFACIAL
Ecoprogetti responded with a customized version of its ECOSUN PLUS – BIFACIAL sun simulator, with a series of advanced features specifically tailored to DEWA’s research objectives.
At the heart of the system is a bifacial steady-state sun simulator, capable of reproducing sunlight with A+A+A++ classification on both sides of the module. The simulator uses high-eƯiciency LED light sources, independently controlled to deliver irradiance levels ranging from 200 to 1300 W/m². To ensure maximum stability and repeatability during long-duration tests—up to 72 hours of continuous MPP tracking—each light source is equipped with a proprietary water cooling system and PID controller.
Integrated Thermal Chamber for Full Environmental Control
A key component of the system is the thermal dome, which allows complete preconditioning of the modules before testing. It can regulate module temperature from 5°C to 85°C, with ramp speeds exceeding 1°C per minute.
The chamber integrates multiple thermocouples and infrared sensors to precisely monitor both the ambient and module temperatures, ensuring that tests are conducted under tightly controlled conditions.
To maintain lab comfort and avoid thermal disturbances, the entire system includes a closed-loop water cooling system with heat accumulation, preventing excess heat from being released into the surrounding environment.
Intelligent Automation and User-Friendly Operation
The entire machine is managed by a PLC-based automation system, which oversees safety, module movement, and temperature control across all zones—light sources, thermal dome, and internal ventilation. An HMI interface allows a single operator to manage the complete workflow with ease.
All testing processes are orchestrated via a dedicated PC software interface. Through the Ecosun software suite, users can control each light source independently, calibrate the simulator according to IEC 60891:2021, and perform IV curve measurements on both monofacial and bifacial modules, compliant with IEC 60904-1:2020 and 60904-1-2:2023.
The system can carry out automatic flash sequences at varying irradiance and module temperatures, store all data in a local database, generate detailed reports, and even conduct simultaneous testing on two modules. It supports MPPT functions, linear or logarithmic IV scans, and is compatible with high-power electronic loads (up to 4 kW) as well as high-precision SMUs for advanced module characterization.
Designed for Today, Ready for Tomorrow!
With its large-format loading station—featuring ultra-clear tempered glass trays capable of handling modules up to 2.7 x 1.8 meters—the ECOSUN PLUS BIFACIAL is built for versatility. Whether testing emerging PV technologies or certifying production-ready modules, this machine is a future-proof platform designed to adapt to DEWA’s evolving needs.
