Standards

Since photovoltaic modules are to be inserted into buildings, they must satisfy both the standards on the electrical characteristics of photovoltaic modules and those on buildings. It is important to remember that any use of PV modules must obey the specific standards in force in the country of use.

PV module standards Building standards
IEC
International Electrotechnical Commission
ISO
International Organization for Standardization
CENELEC
European Commission for Electrotechnical Standardization
CEN
European Committee for Standardization
CES
Comité Electrotechnique Suisse
SIA
Schweizerische Ingenieur- und Architekten-Verein


IEC Standards for photovoltaic modules
Especially, the modules used in BiPV applications, must meet the following quality standards:

IEC 61215 (mono- and multicrystalline modules) and IEC 61646 (thin film modules): specific to the minimum rrequirements relative to electrical, thermal and mechanical performance.
These standards concern climatic tests, mechanical tests, UV ray resistance tests, etc. in combination with the maintenance of visual characteristics and electrical performance.

IEC 61730 (specific to safety and mechanical resistance).
These standards describe the pre-requisites needed for PV panels to be used in buildings thereby guaranteeing mechanical and electrical safety margins.

Furthermore, to be present in the european market, the CE label is necessary (obtained if they satisfy IEC 61730-1 and 61730-2).

The measurements and tests for the qualification of the design of a photovoltaic module according to the IEC standards can be divided into the following categories:

Electrical Measurements
Power measurement at standard conditions
Power measurement at NOCT temperature
Power measurement at low irradiance
NOCT measurement (normal operating cell temperature)

Climatic tests
moist static test
Climate test (temperature and humidity)
Thermal cycles test (temperature only)
Outdoor exposure
UV preconditioning
Radiation on continuous solar simulator

Mechanical tests
Terminal resistance test
Cutting resistance test
Mechanical load test
Hail impact resistance test

Electrical and mechanical safety tests
Overheating of the cells resistance test
Bypass diode test
Resistance to reverse current test

Control tests
Electrical insulation test
Electrical insulation in damp test
Visual inspection