SOLAR ENERGY

IEC 61730 standard “Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification” has been issued to further examinations about the PV modules safety against electrical shock hazard, fire hazard, mechanical and structural safety.

This standard is divided into 2 separate parts:

• Part 1: requirement for construction: it defines some mandatory requirement for the design of the modules, for physical/chemical properties of the polymeric materials used on the modules as well some requirement of the documentation and labeling of the PV modules (instruction manual).
• Part 2: requirement for testing: it defines some particular additional test to verify the electrical and mechanical safety of the modules according to 3 different classes of application:
  • class A: general application with maximum system voltage greater than 50 VDC with no restricted access to the modules (equivalent to class II)
  • class B: application with maximum system voltage greater than 50 VDC with restricted access to the modules (equivalent to class 0)
  • class A: low voltage application with maximum system voltage lower than 50 VDC with no restricted access to the modules (equivalent to class III).

PASS CRITERIA

• No visual defects before/after each test as defined in the relevant standards
• Power output degradation lower than 5% after each test and lower than 8% after each sequence
• Resistance insulation for test 10.3 and 10.15 greater than 40 MW//m2

OTHER INFORMATION

• After the testing according to IEC/EN 61730 a TÜV type approval certificate is issued to state the conformity of the tested product to the relevant standards
• This certificate has a validity of 5 years unless there are relevant changes on the IEC standards.
• The certificate may contain the following models family, without need of additional tests:
  • tested model
  • all models with same number of cells but with power output +/-10% respect to the tested model
  • all models with less cells or smaller cells respect to the tested model, if they are assembled with exactly the same list of materials.
• During the period of validity of the certificate a factory inspection may be performed by a TÜV auditor to the manufacturing site.
• The PV modules certification is valid for the tested modules with a defined list of materials (BOM).

IEC 61701 has been issued for testing the salt mist corrosion with sodium chloride moisture. The salt spray test is a standardized test method used to check corrosion resistance of coated samples. Salt spray test is an accelerated corrosion test that produces a corrosive attack to the coated samples in order to predict its suitability in use as a protective finish.

IEC 61701 for photovoltaic modules specify the duration and ambient temperature of the test with a module of specific inclination. Acceptance criteria are the same as IEC 61215 and no corrosion of modules parts that may influence the modules safety and functionality. The equipment is large enough to include 2 samples 1 x 2 meter inside.  Before and after the test the module is checked according to the following tests according to IEC 61215/IEC 61646 and IEC 61730-2 procedures and criteria.

Normally the time required for test depends on the level of severity and are required 3 samples.

Levels of severity for salt mist test are:

• SEVERITY 1 – marine environment.
• SEVERITY 3 – environment with changes between salt and dry atmospheres
• SEVERITY 4 – environment with changes between salt and dry atmospheres
• SEVERITY 5 – environment with changes between salt and dry atmospheres
• SEVERITY 6 – environment with changes between salt and dry atmospheres

Modules that are installed onto livestock farms and greenhouses are subjected to particular environmental conditions that may be very hostile: in particular fertilizing, ammonia and dust particles can develop.

The concentration of ammonia, which is a harmful substance that is released into the air in large amounts on farms, may be very high and these emissions can additionally increase aging (degradation) of the photovoltaic modules. Degradation leads to a lower energy yield and therefore a lower return rate for the operator of a photovoltaic system. Before and after the test the module is checked according to the following tests according to IEC 61215/IEC 61646 and IEC 61730-2 procedures and criteria.

Normally are required 3 samples.

has developed innovative new services and activities in order to increase the reliability and durability in efficiency of photovoltaic modules, including the certification according to IEC 60068-2 – 68 and LC2. 1.0: Desert Dust Testing of Solar Modules.

The considerable increase of installations in desert areas, makes it essential to assess the resistance of modules to sand and weather conditions in various areas of the world.

Ultimate Verification developing and delivering more targeted tests to examine the performance of the modules in environments such as desert, where a shortage of rain and sand storms may cause undesired inefficiency of the plant.

Thanks to cutting-edge equipment and highly qualified staff, you can test the modules in standard sizes and with different types of sand in 20 to 30 m/s. Tests may last from a minimum of 2 hours to a maximum of 24 hours.

Before and after the test, modules are tested in accordance with IEC 61215 and IEC 61646 (criteria for visual inspection, measurement STC, insulation test dry / wet).

You can also perform an additional test to electroluminescence for further analysis.

These new tests provide an opportunity to enter new and emerging markets such as Africa and the Middle East for the installation of photovoltaic systems, ensuring the highest quality certified.

In addition to these new tests and its long-term experience, Ultimate Verification has developed a new service for inspection and testing facilities in order to assist customers in identifying improvement actions for the performance of the system.

For a first offer or for more detailed information regarding setting up and testing requirements, please send us an e-mail: info@ultimateverification.com or contact one of our offices. All references are available on our website: www.ultimateverification.com

More information you can find also in our brochure.

This standard consists into 2 parts:

Part 1: Transportation and shipping of PV module package systems;

Part 2: Rough handling of individual PV modules.

It generally describes methods for the simulation of transportation of complete package systems of modules and combined subsequent environmental impacts. The transportation process is being simulated through a random vibration test. The simulation shall be performed in accordance to ASTM D4169 with one complete stack of modules. Before and after the vibration tests the modules are checked in accordance to the IEC 61215/61646 criteria (visual inspection, STC measurement, dry and wet insulation test) and an additional Electroluminescence test may be performed for a deeper analysis.

After the vibration test climatic and mechanical tests are performed on the modules submitted to the vibration test and new modules as reference in order to investigate a long-term effect.

The increasing need for accurate power measurements is highlighting the necessity to provide a more accurate assessment of the measuring system used for in-line testing.

Moreover, in order to guarantee a stability of the measurement after several thousand cycles of use, it is more and more important to verify the accuracy of the solar simulator regarding to all the aspects.

We can verify on your manufacturing site the performance of different technologies for solar simulators as to the characteristics of spectral match, non-uniformity and temporal instability as required by IEC 60904-9.

Potential Induced Degradation is a negative effect observed more and more frequently in the last ten years due to increase of maximum system voltage of array installations. This effect caused by high-voltage biasing can lead to power output degradation due to cells polarization.

To evaluate this effect in a systematic and reproducible way we developed new testing protocols. The test is conducted in laboratory in order to accelerate the starting of the degradation phenomenon.

In order to rate the module quality different levels of severity have been elaborated with different environmental conditions and exposure time.

The inspection of PV modules through electroluminescence test becomes fundamental due to the improvement of material and production processes.

EL test in fact is able to highlight information that normally is not detectable with visual inspection, power measurement or IR testing. In particular it is possible to identify micro cracks, degradation and shunted area on cells. Those effects may be caused by several mechanisms as the production process itself, material, transportation, installation, PID and outdoor exposure.

The EL test may be performed in our laboratory or directly on-site (manufacturing or field).

On 01 June 2011 in Italy the Conto Energia IV came into force, amending Conto Energia III. According to these rules, electricity generated by photovoltaic modules made in EU will profit from an additional 10% feed-in tariff, under the condition that at least 60 % of the costs derive from components made in EU.

GSE – Gestore dei Servizi Energetic is assigned with the administration of the relevant subsidies. GSE’s sole shareholder is the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance which, in consultation with the Ministry of Economic Development, provides guidance on GSE’s activities. GSE plays a central role in promotion, support and development of renewable energy sources in Italy.

In order to apply for this additional incentive, EU photovoltaic module manufacturers have to submit a factory inspection and pass the relevant certificate to GSE. The certificate must be issued by an accredited certification body, member of IECEE, and it must contain detailed information about the manufacturing site location and PV modules manufacturing processes.

Ultimate Verification is the leader in the PV module certification industry, can provide these factory inspection certificates basing on wide experience in the Italian PV market and deep knowledge of the Italian photovoltaic incentive policy for renewable energy sources. Should you have already accomplished factory inspection by Ultimate Verification, the process to get the “Made IN EU”-certificate will be easier and faster.

For any further questions concerning the details of the process please do not hesitate to contact us.

The System-Pass Photovoltaic is not the only pass at the market in the field of Photovoltaic-(PV)-plants testing but it excels in a comprehensive view when analysing PV-plants. The System-Pass Photovoltaic examines planning as well as operating and execution phases of the plant.

The System-Pass Photovoltaic is based on testing methods which were composed and developed from our well experienced engineers who have substantial experience with PV modules and plants. They derive from several existing rule types and international norms, which are amongst others:

• DIN EN 62446 Minimum standards to the system documentation, start-up tests and testing requirements
• VDE 0100 Buildup of low voltage
• VDE 0100 Part 712 Solar-Photovoltaic-(PV)-power supply system
• VDE 0105-100 Operation of electric plants
• VDE 0185-305 Lightning arrester
• IEC 61215 Design qualification and type approval of Crystalline silicon terrestrial PV modules
• IEC 61646 Design qualification and type approval of thin-film terrestrial PV modules
• IEC 61730 PV-Module safety qualification Part 1 and 2
• Etc.

This System-Pass Photovoltaic is no self declaration and the validity is regularly approved and documented by qualified Ultimate Verification technical experts. Continuous and objective tests as well as inspections by the described Ultimate Verification method deliver Data for warranty and documentation of a operational und efficient PV-plant obverse institutions, investors, raisers, operators and insurer.

Advantage

The advantages for System-Pass Photovoltaic therefore are quite plain:

• The plant will be examined independent and objective.
• The full functionality of the plant will be tested and documented.
• The risk assessment of a Ultimate Verificationtested plant turns out superiorly.
• The System-Pass Photovoltaic from Ultimate Verification warrants, that security aspects of the plant were tested by means of relevant and effective norms and rule types. Therefore it presents an independently and objectively documentation for submission to public authorities, banks and insurer.

Cost

Photovoltaic-plants vary in size and type of construction. So to quote a flat rate for the expertise by System-Pass Photovoltaic could not be our customer’s interest. Please contact us. We issue you an individual offer tailored especially to the size and type of construction of your plant.

The quality of the manufacturing processes, materials and R&D activities have a key-role for the success in the PV industry. In order to make the quality of your modules more and more visible we developed a rating protocol based criteria that normally are not considered by the standard certification.

Those criteria, based on our pluriannual experience on inspections, consider the use of high-quality materials, your quality control plan and activities, the use of advanced equipment for testing and production.

The rating protocol in particular focuses on the following aspects:

• Materials used for the assembling of the product
• Evaluation of testing plan adopted to monitor the production (intermediate and final ones)
• Equipment used in the testing plan
• Product monitoring and recall from market

By checking those aspects the rating procedure is based on a scoring from 1 to 5 “suns”. This activity may be conducted during the factory inspection of the manufacturing site and it may be supported by other activities on-site (on customer request) for further verification of the quality of the product and the effectiveness of the production (solar simulator performance characterization, Electroluminescence).