Solar Power

IEC 61730-1:2016 specifies and describes the fundamental construction requirements for photovoltaic (PV) modules in order to provide safe electrical and mechanical operation. Specific topics are provided to assess the prevention of electrical shock, fire hazards, and personal injury due to mechanical and environmental stresses. This part of IEC 61730 pertains to the particular requirements of construction. IEC 61730-2 defines the requirements of testing. This International Standard series lays down IEC requirements of terrestrial photovoltaic modules suitable for long-term operation in open-air climates. This standard is intended to apply to all terrestrial flat plate module materials such as crystalline silicon module types as well as thin-film modules. This new edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- adaption of horizontal standards and inclusion of IEC 60664 and IEC 61140;
- implementation of insulation coordination, overvoltage category, classes, pollution degree and material groups definition of creepage, clearance and distance through insulation.

IEC TS 61724-3:2016(E) defines a procedure for measuring and analyzing the energy production of a specific photovoltaic system relative to expected electrical energy production for the same system from actual weather conditions as defined by the stakeholders of the test. The energy production is characterized specifically for times when the system is operating (available); times when the system is not operating (unavailable) are quantified as part of an availability metric. The aim of this technical specification is to define a procedure for comparing the measured electrical energy with the expected electrical energy of the PV system.
The contents of the corrigendum of February 2018 have been included in this copy.

IEC TS 61724-2:2016(E) defines a procedure for measuring and analyzing the power production of a specific photovoltaic system with the goal of evaluating the quality of the PV system performance. The test is intended to be applied during a relatively short time period (a few relatively sunny days). The intent of this document is to specify a framework procedure for comparing the measured power produced against the expected power from a PV system on relatively sunny days.

IEC 61724-1:2017 outlines equipment, methods, and terminology for performance monitoring and analysis of photovoltaic (PV) systems. It addresses sensors, installation, and accuracy for monitoring equipment in addition to measured parameter data acquisition and quality checks, calculated parameters, and performance metrics. In addition, it serves as a basis for other standards which rely upon the data collected.

IEC 61724-1:2017 outlines equipment, methods, and terminology for performance monitoring and analysis of photovoltaic (PV) systems. It addresses sensors, installation, and accuracy for monitoring equipment in addition to measured parameter data acquisition and quality checks, calculated parameters, and performance metrics. In addition, it serves as a basis for other standards which rely upon the data collected.

IEC 61701:2020 describes test sequences useful to determine the resistance of different PV modules to corrosion from salt mist containing Cl (NaCl, MgCl2, etc.). All tests included in the sequences are fully described in IEC 61215‑2, IEC 62108, IEC 61730‑2 and IEC 60068‑2‑52. The bypass diode functionality test in this document is modified from its description in IEC 61215‑2. They are combined in this document to provide means to evaluate possible faults caused in PV modules when operating under wet atmospheres having high concentration of dissolved salt (NaCl).  Depending on the specific nature of the surrounding atmosphere to which the module is exposed in real operation several testing methods can be applied, as defined in IEC 60068‑2‑52. Guidance for determining the applicability of this document and selecting an appropriate method is provided in Annex A. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition issued in 2011. The main technical changes with respect to the previous edition are as follows: - The scope has been updated to better reflect the applicability of the Standard; - Test methods and requirements have been condensed and aligned with the new editions of IEC 61215-1, IEC 61215-2, and IEC 61730-2. References to crystalline silicon versus thin film technologies have been eliminated. The old Figure 2 on the thin film test sequence has been eliminated.; - The salt mist test references have been updated to harmonize with changes to IEC 60068‑2‑52.; - A normative annex has been added to provide guidance on which of the test methods in IEC 60068-2-52 are applicable to different applications. This includes references to new test methods in the latest edition of IEC 60068-2-52.

Describes guidelines for measuring the efficiency of power conditioners used in stand-alone and utility-interactive photovoltaic systems, where the output of the power conditioner is a stable a.c. voltage of constant frequency or a stable d.c. voltage.

IEC 61215-2:2021 RLV contains both the official IEC International Standard and its Redline version. The Redline version is available in English only and provides you with a quick and easy way to compare all the changes between the official IEC Standard and its previous edition. IEC 61215-2:2021 lays down requirements for the design qualification of terrestrial photovoltaic modules suitable for long-term operation in open-air climates. This document is intended to apply to all terrestrial flat plate module materials such as crystalline silicon module types as well as thin-film modules. The objective of this test sequence is to determine the electrical characteristics of the module and to show, as far as possible within reasonable constraints of cost and time, that the module is capable of withstanding prolonged exposure outdoors. This second edition of IEC 61215-2 cancels and replaces the first edition of IEC 61215-2 issued in 2016. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a. Addition of cyclic (dynamic) mechanical load testing (MQT 20). b. Addition of a test for detection of potential-induced degradation (MQT 21). c. Addition of test methods required for bifacial PV modules. d. Addition of test methods required for flexible modules. This includes the addition of the bending test (MQT 22). e. Revision of simulator requirements to ensure uncertainty is both well-defined and minimized. f. Correction to the hot spot endurance test, where the procedure for monolithically integrated (MLI) thin film technologies (MQT 09.2) previously included two sections describing a procedure only appropriate for silicon modules. g. Selection of three diodes, rather than all, for testing in the bypass diode thermal test (MQT 18). h. Removal of the nominal module operating test (NMOT), and associated test of performance at NMOT, from the IEC 61215 series.

IEC 61215-1:2021 RLV contains both the official IEC International Standard and its Redline version. The Redline version is available in English only and provides you with a quick and easy way to compare all the changes between the official IEC Standard and its previous edition. IEC 61215-1:2021 lays down requirements for the design qualification of terrestrial photovoltaic modules suitable for long-term operation in open-air climates. The useful service life of modules so qualified will depend on their design, their environment and the conditions under which they are operated. Test results are not construed as a quantitative prediction of module lifetime. This document is intended to apply to all terrestrial flat plate module materials such as crystalline silicon module types as well as thin-film modules. It does not apply to systems that are not long-term applications, such as flexible modules installed in awnings or tenting. This second edition of IEC 61215-1 cancels and replaces the first edition of IEC 61215-1, published in 2016. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a. Addition of a test taken from IEC TS 62782. b. Addition of a test taken from IEC TS 62804-1. c. Addition of test methods required for flexible modules. This includes the addition of the bending test (MQT 22). d. Addition of definitions, references and instructions on how to perform the IEC 61215 design qualification and type approval on bifacial PV modules. e. Clarification of the requirements related to power output measurements. f. Addition of weights to junction box during 200 thermal cycles. g. Requirement that retesting be performed according to IEC TS 62915. h. Removal of the nominal module operating test (NMOT), and associated test of performance at NMOT, from the IEC 61215 series.

IEC 61215-1-4:2021 RLV contains both the official IEC International Standard and its Redline version. The Redline version is available in English only and provides you with a quick and easy way to compare all the changes between the official IEC Standard and its previous edition. IEC 61215-1-4:2021 lays down requirements for the design qualification of terrestrial photovoltaic modules suitable for long-term operation in open-air climates. The useful service life of modules so qualified will depend on their design, their environment and the conditions under which they are operated. Test results are not construed as a quantitative prediction of module lifetime. This document is intended to apply to all thin-film Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 based terrestrial flat plate modules. As such it addresses special requirements for testing of this technology supplementing IEC 61215-1:2021 and IEC 61215-2:2021 requirements for testing. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition of IEC 61215-1-4, issued in 2016. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a. A cyclic (dynamic) mechanical load test (MQT 20) added. b. A test for detection of potential-induced degradation (MQT 21) added. c. A bending test (MQT 22) for flexible modules added. This standard is to be read in conjunction with IEC 61215-1:2021 and IEC 61215-2:2021