Simon Fraser University researchers have proposed a new framework to standardise testing of indoor solar technology, aiming to resolve long-standing inconsistencies that have hindered the sector’s growth.
The study, led by Vincenzo Pecunia, Professor at SFU’s School of Sustainable Energy Engineering, and his team from the Sustainable Optoelectronics Research Group, examined how variations in indoor lighting affect the performance measurements of indoor photovoltaics (IPVs), devices that convert ambient indoor light into electricity.
The research, which also involved Master’s student Javith Mohammed Jailani and undergraduates Amanda Luu and Elizabeth Salvosa, was published in Joule, marking SFU’s first article in the journal and its first feature on the cover.
IPVs are increasingly seen as a solution to the environmental and practical challenges posed by conventional disposable batteries, which remain the primary power source for smart devices but contribute to toxic waste. Unlike outdoor solar panels, which can be tested under relatively uniform sunlight, IPVs operate under highly variable indoor lighting conditions, making performance assessment inconsistent and often misleading.
Pecunia said accurate, benchmarkable data were essential for the field. “IPV development requires reliable performance measurements, which are currently hindered by inconsistencies in characterisation and benchmarking methods,” he said. “The field faces a reliability crisis, with reported advances often obscured by measurement inaccuracies.”
The SFU team found that measurements of IPV efficiency can be distorted under diffuse or scattered indoor light. They proposed a set of standardised testing protocols and a universal “reference cell” to harmonise results across laboratories, enabling more meaningful comparisons of different devices. Their framework also addresses the challenge of diverse indoor light spectra, where terms such as “warm white” or “cool white” are insufficient to ensure consistency.
The researchers hope their work will accelerate the development of reliable indoor energy harvesting, supporting the expansion of smart devices and sustainable technologies in homes and cities.
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