Development of Constant-Current DC-DC Converter Modules for High-Power LEDs

Research showing that the light generated by a solar module consisting of 16 LEDs could successfully match 40% of the solar spectrum.

Professor Yoon Kim and Alexis Bonnema

This project continues a similar project from summer 2014, entitled Development of Solar Simulator Modules Based on High-Power LEDs, which provide optical energy to test photovoltaic cells for renewable energy applications. The results of previous work showed that the light generated by the module consisting of 16 LEDs successfully matched 40% of the solar spectrum.

Due to the lack of availability of a wide-band spectrometer, deep red LEDs, and IR LEDs, the rest of work couldn’t be completed in 2014. In general, LEDs provide a light-weight and compact design, longer operating hours, and higher efficiency in electrical to optical power conversion. Our goal is to match the solar spectrum up to the IR region of 1100 nm and its irradiation intensity by designing a solar simulator system using a high-density LED fixture, which can house a 10 by 10 array of high-intensity LEDs. The system includes LED fixtures, power electronics, microcontroller hardware and software. This project involves designing the layout of multi-array LEDs, designing the final assembly of the LED fixture, constructing fixtures, designing power electronics, integrating system, measuring a variety of data points, and testing. This project will likely result in a patent application.