EN IEC 61215 Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules - Design Qualification and Type Approval

The standard “EN IEC 61215 Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval”, which is based on a European standard and later published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), consists of a number of sections published under the same title. Namely,

• The standard EN IEC 61215-1 Part 1: Test requirements” describes the design qualification requirements for terrestrial photovoltaic modules suitable for long-term operation in outdoor climates. The useful service life of modules qualified in this way depends on their design, environment and the conditions in which they are operated. The test results are not to be interpreted as a quantitative estimate of module life. In climates where percentile operating temperatures exceed 70 degrees, users are advised to consider testing under higher temperature test conditions as described in IEC TS 63126. Users requiring qualification requirements for PV products with lower life expectancies are advised to consider tests designed for PV in consumer electronics as described in IEC TS 63163.

The purpose of this test series is to determine the electrical characteristics of the module and to demonstrate, to the extent possible within reasonable constraints of cost and time, that the module can withstand prolonged exposure outdoors.

Accelerated test conditions are empirically based on those required to reproduce selected observed field failures and are applied equally across module types. Acceleration factors may vary by product design and therefore not all failure mechanisms may be revealed.

Some long-term degradation mechanisms can only be reasonably detected through component testing because of the long times required to produce failure and the requirement for stress conditions that are expensive to produce over large areas.

• The standard “EN IEC 61215-1-1 Part 1-1: Particular requirements for testing crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules” describes the design qualification requirements for terrestrial photovoltaic modules suitable for long-term operation in outdoor climates. The useful service life of modules thus qualified depends on their design, their environment and the conditions in which they are operated. The test results are not to be interpreted as a quantitative estimate of module life.

This standard is not applicable to modules used with intense sunlight, although it can be used for low intensity modules. All tests for low intensity modules are performed using the expected irradiance, current, voltage and power levels at the design intensity.

• The standard “EN IEC 61215-1-2 Part 1-2: Particular requirements for testing thin-film Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) based photovoltaic (PV) modules” describes the requirements for the design qualification of terrestrial photovoltaic modules suitable for long-term operation in outdoor climates. The useful service life of modules thus qualified depends on their design, their environment and the conditions in which they are operated. The test results are not to be interpreted as a quantitative estimate of module life.

This standard is intended to apply to all thin film cadmium telluride based terrestrial flat plate modules. Therefore, it addresses specific requirements for testing this technology, complementing the test requirements of IEC 61215-1 and IEC 61215-2.

• The standard “EN IEC 61215-1-3 Part 1-3: Particular requirements for testing photovoltaic (PV) modules based on thin-film amorphous silicon” describes the requirements for the design qualification of terrestrial photovoltaic modules suitable for long-term operation in outdoor climates. The useful service life of modules thus qualified depends on their design, their environment and the conditions in which they are operated. The test results are not to be interpreted as a quantitative estimate of module life.

This standard is intended to apply to all thin film amorphous silicon based terrestrial flat plate modules. Therefore, it addresses specific requirements for testing this technology, complementing the test requirements of IEC 61215-1 and IEC 61215-2.

• The standard “EN IEC 61215-1-4 Part 1-4: Particular requirements for testing thin-film Cu(In,GA)(S,Se)2 based photovoltaic (PV) modules” describes the requirements for the design qualification of terrestrial photovoltaic modules suitable for long-term operation in outdoor climates. The useful service life of modules thus qualified depends on their design, their environment and the conditions in which they are operated. The test results are not to be interpreted as a quantitative estimate of the module life.

This standard is intended to apply to all thin film Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 based terrestrial flat plate modules. Therefore, it addresses specific requirements for testing this technology, complementing the test requirements of IEC 61215-1 and IEC 61215-2.

• The standard EN IEC 61215-2 Part 2: Test procedures” describes the requirements for the design qualification of terrestrial photovoltaic modules suitable for long-term operation in outdoor climates. The useful service life of modules thus qualified depends on their design, their environment and the conditions in which they are operated. The test results are not to be interpreted as a quantitative estimate of module life.

This standard is intended to apply to all terrestrial flat plate module materials, such as crystalline silicon module types and thin film modules. This standard is not applicable to modules used in intense sunlight, although it may be used for low intensity modules. All tests for low intensity modules are performed using the expected irradiance, current, voltage and power levels at the design intensity.

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