SOLAR PV PANEL STANDARDS COMPLIANCE & AMMONIA TESTING

BODY International Electrotechnical Commission WHO ARE THEY International Standards and Conformity Assessment for all electrical, electronic and related technologies STD DESCRIPTION TEST

This is an international standard for photovoltaic modules. This standard allows purchasers of PV modules that meet this standard to know that the module meets certain design standards that ensure that the module will be reliable and durable http://www.iec.ch/cgi-bin/getfile.pl/sbp_82.pdf?dir=sbp&format=pdf&type=&file=82.pdf Technical committee 82 standards http://www.iec.ch/dyn/www/f?p=103:7:0::::FSP_ORG_ID,FSP_LANG_ID:1276,25 Terrestrial PV modules with crystalline silicon design IEC/TRF 61215 ed3.0 (2008-05) Thin-film terrestrial PV modules IEC 61646 Design qualification and type approval Safety qualification of photovoltaic modules IEC 61730 Concentrating photovoltaic modules IEC 62108 Design qualification and type approval Ammonia corrosion testing of photovoltaic (PV) modules Project: IEC 62716 Ed. 1.0 new draft for a standard for ammonia corrosion testing of PV modules. It is not a released standard yet, but TUV can test to it already. In the frame of this work ammonia concentrations apparent in typical agricultural buildings with PV installations were evaluated. Furthermore existing corrosion test methods were examined and checked for their applicability to simulate stress caused by ammonia atmosphere. Several experiments were conducted to verify that ammonia atmosphere could have corrosive and erosive effects on PV modules. The effects found were correlated with defects found on modules from an installation on the rooftop of a pig pen. Beside the visual

Over a period of twenty days, the modules are subjected to extreme conditions: Ammonia at a concentration of 6,667 ppm is left to act on the modules at a temperature of 40 Celsius and 100 percent relative humidity cycling with a temperature of 23 C and 75 percent relative humidity

TV Rheinland

IEC 61701:1995 Certification and qualification to international standards Power rating of PV modules Characterization of PV cells

assessment of test samples, insulation property changes as well as influence on the output power were evaluated. As a result of the work a first version of a new international standard was drafted and distributed in the relevant working group of IEC for comments. Salt mist corrosion testing of photovoltaic (PV) modules. Some 80 percent of PV module manufacturers worldwide undergo the test procedures of TV Rheinland to obtain certification. TV Rheinland has developed a new test method for improved simulation of long-term operating conditions for solar modules. The comprehensive test series tests the photovoltaic modules over a period of nine months, thereby exceeding the requirements of the standard tests for type approval to DIN EN IEC 61215. Thanks to the new test procedure, manufacturers and end-users will find it easier to rate the quality as well as the performance of the PV modules.

The endurance test consists of four partial component tests that simulate the types of environmental effects that might cause a drop in output performance. 1. 2. 3. 4. Damp heat test Thermal cycling test Humidity freeze test Bypass diode test

Ammonia exposure can reach high levels on the roofs of farm buildings if the photovoltaic modules are sited close to vents or built into the roof itself," says Jrg Althaus, who is in charge of testing at the TV Rheinland Solar Test Center in Cologne/Germany. If it occurs in conjunction with high humidity, this exposure can become a problem as it leads to the formation of highly corrosive condensation that reduces performance and accelerates module aging. Exactly these conditions are simulated in the TV Rheinland test.

As an option, component PLUS is available, which also includes plug-in tests, such as UV weathering, hot spot testing and tests to check for resistance to hail and mechanical stresses. Compared to the above-mentioned standard test requirements, the test period is twice as long. In addition, testing is done sequentially, with the reduction in performance being measured after each test phase. the tests can help manufacturers better evaluate the performance of their modules after longterm usage. Previously, that had only been possible through life cycle tests at genuine field trial conditions Significantly stricter than previous test standards, the new test procedure employed by TV Rheinland follows IEC 62716 Ed. 1. Over a period of twenty days, the modules are subjected to extreme conditions: Ammonia at a concentration of 6,667 ppm is left to act on the modules at a temperature of 40 Celsius and 100 percent relative humidity

Microgeneration Certification Scheme

CE DIN

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS Accreditation Scheme) is a scheme that certifies low carbon and renewable energy technology products and installers, the ambition is to rapidly grow the microgeneration industry by applying rigorous standards to the manufacture and installation of approved technologies. The MCS Scheme therefore provides consumers with a guarantee that the products/ installers they select meet a high, third party tested, standard. To be eligible to receive a grant you must use an MCS certified installer and an MCS certified product. CE mark The German DIN 50916 Institute for Standardization (DIN)

Performance characteristics and the behavior of the various materials are examined while the insulation and safety features are also put to the test. Solar PV systems are covered under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme as an MCS Approved Technology. This means as an MCS Accredited installer you are able to install MCS Accredited Solar PV Panels and offer consumers government Feed in Tariffs.

cycling with a temperature of 23 C and 75 percent relative humidity.

Modules must also carry certified ammonia resistant. This standard assures that the panels can maintain a high performance level under exposure to ammonia, most relevant to installations in and around farms that can use ammonia-based products as fertilizer for land, or livestock that emit ammonia.

A rigorous series of tests was applied to the panels during the certification procedure. They were completely saturated with a highly alkaline atmosphere (pH 9) of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) at 30 for 28 days, after which C the panels power output and material integrity were assessed for performance losses and structural problems. The test is similar to but more thorough than the The DLG simulates the unique conditions that photovoltaic modules on top of farm buildings that house livestock must withstand,. This test determines whether or not the PV modules are able to withstand the effects of airborne ammonia from livestock buildings over a period of at least 20 years. exposes panels to 70% atmospheric saturation at a temperature 70 for 1,500 C hours.

DLG

German Farmer Association

http://www.dlg.org/h ome-en.html

Ammonia test . patented DLG Test standard for solar modules in agricultural environments. As generally recognised in livestock farming, ammonia and dust particles develop. Particularly, ammonia which is a harmful substance, is released into the air in large amounts. These emissions can have adverse effects on PV Modules and increase ageing (degradation) of the systems themselves. Degradation leads to less energy yield and in turn a lower return for the operator/owner of a photovoltaic system.