IEC 61215-1-2 pdf – Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval – Part 1-2: Special requirements for testing of thin-film Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) based photovoltaic (PV) modules
1 Scope
This document lays down requirements for the design qualification of terrestrial photovoltaicmodules suitable for long-term operation in open-air climates. The useful service life ofmodules so qualified will depend on their design，their environment and the conditions underwhich they are operated.Test results are not construed as a quantitative prediction of module
lifetime.
In climates where 98t percentile operating temperatures exceed 70 °C, users arerecommended to consider testing to higher temperaturetest conditions as describedinIEC TS 63126. Users desiring qualification of Pv products with lesser lifetime expectationsare recommended to consider testing designed for PV in consumer electronics，as describedin lEC 63163(under development). Users wishing to gain confidence that the characteristicstested in IEC 61215 appear consistentlyin a manufactured product may wish to utilizeIEC62941 regarding quality systems in Pv manufacturing.
This document is intended to apply to all thin-film CdTe based terrestrial flat plate modules.As such, it addresses specialrequirements for testing of this technology ‘supplementingIEC 61215-1:2021 and lEC61215-2:2021 requirements for testing.
This document does not apply to modules used with concentrated sunlight although it may be
utilized for low concentrator modules (1 to 3 suns). For low concentration modules,all testsare performed using the irradiance,current,voltage and power levels expected at the designconcentration.
The object of this test sequence is to determine the electrical characteristics of the moduleand to show, as far as possible within reasonable constraints of cost and time，that themodule is capable of withstanding prolonged exposure outdoors. Accelerated test conditionsare empirically based on those necessary to reproduce selected observed field failures andare applied equally across module types. Acceleration factors may vary with product designand thus not all degradation mechanisms may manifest. Further general information onaccelerated test methods including definitions of terms may be found in IEC 62506.
Some long-term degradation mechanisms can only reasonably be detected via componenttesting,due to long times required to produce the failure and necessity of stress conditionsthat are expensiveto produce over large areas. Component tests that have reached asufficient level of maturity to set pass/fail criteria with high confidence are incorporated intothe EC61215 series via addition to Table 1 in IEC 61215-1.In contrast, the tests procedures
described in this series, in lEC61215-2,are performed on modules.
This document defines PV technology dependent modifications to the testing procedures andrequirements per lEC61215-1:2021 and lEc61215-2:2021.
2Normative references
The normative references of IEC 61215-1:2021 and IEC 61215-2:2021 are applicable withoutmodifications.
3 Terms and definitions
This clause of IEC 61215-1:2021 is applicable without modifications.
4 Test samples
This clause of IEC 61215-1:2021 is applicable without modifications.
5 Marking and documentation
This clause of IEC 61215-1:2021 is applicable without modifications.
6 Testing
This clause of IEC 61215-1:2021 is applicable with the following modifications:
Special care has to be taken for stabilizing the power output of the module using MQT 19
procedure with specific requirements stated in 11.19 below.
7 Pass criteria
This clause of IEC 61215-1:2021 is applicable with the following modifications:
The maximum allowable value of reproducibility is set to r = 2,0 %.
The maximum allowable value of measurement uncertainty is set to m 1 = 4,0 % for modules containing single-junction cells, and m 1 = 5,0 % for modules containing multi-junction cells.
8 Major visual defects
This clause of IEC 61215-1:2021 is applicable without modifications.
9 Report
This clause of IEC 61215-1:2021 is applicable without modifications.
10 Modifications
This clause of IEC 61215-1:2021 is applicable without modifications.
11 Test flow and procedures
The test flow from IEC 61215-1:2021 is applicable.
11.1 Visual inspection (MQT 01)
This test of IEC 61215-2:2021 is applicable without modifications.
11.2 Maximum power determination (MQT 02)
This test of IEC 61215-2:2021 is applicable without modifications.
11.3 Insulation test (MQT 03)
This test of IEC 61215-2:2021 is applicable without modifications.
11.4 Measurement of temperature coefficients (MQT 04)
This test of IEC 61215-2:2021 is applicable without modifications.
11.5 Placeholder section, formerly NMOT
This subclause of IEC 61215-2:2021 does not require technology-specific modifications.
11.6 Performance at STC (MQT 06.1)
This test of IEC 61215-2:2021 is applicable without modifications.
11.7 Performance at low irradiance (MQT 07)
This test of IEC 61215-2:2021 is applicable without modifications.
11.8 Outdoor exposure test (MQT 08)
This test of IEC 61215-2:2021 is applicable without modifications.
11.9 Hot-spot endurance test (MQT 09)
This test of IEC 61215-2:2021 is applicable with the following modifications: