ASTM E1597-05
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Saltwater Pressure Immersion and Temperature Testing of Photovoltaic Modules for Marine Environments
Standard Test Method for Saltwater Pressure Immersion and Temperature Testing of Photovoltaic Modules for Marine Environments
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The useful life of photovoltaic modules deployed in marine applications (such as floating aids-to-navigation) may depend on the ability to withstand repeated exposure to salt atmosphere, immersion in seawater, and the temperature changes associated with seawater splash falling on modules operating in sunlight. The effects of these exposures may be physical or electrical changes in the module, or both.
This test method describes a procedure for positioning the test specimen, conducting a cyclical combined pressure, immersion, and temperature (PIT) test, and reporting the results. It also references methods for conducting module electrical performance and insulation integrity tests.
Data generated by this test method may be used to evaluate and compare the effects of a simulated marine environment on test specimens. This test method requires recording of visible effects as well as electrical performance.
4.3.1 Effects on modules may vary from none to significant changes. Some physical changes in the module may be visible when there are no apparent electrical changes in the module. Similarly, electrical changes may occur with no visible changes in the module.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides a procedure for determining the ability of photovoltaic modules to withstand repeated immersion or splash exposure by seawater as might be encountered when installed in a marine environment, such as a floating aid-to-navigation. A combined environmental cycling exposure with modules repeatedly submerged in simulated saltwater at varying temperatures and under repetitive pressurization provides an accelerated basis for evaluation of aging effects of a marine environment on module materials and construction.
1.2 This test method defines photovoltaic module test specimens and requirements for positioning modules for test, references suitable methods for determining changes in electrical performance and characteristics, and specifies parameters which must be recorded and reported.
1.3 This test method does not establish pass or fail levels. The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is beyond the scope of this test method.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation:E1597–05
Standard Test Method for
Saltwater Pressure Immersion and Temperature Testing of
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Photovoltaic Modules for Marine Environments
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1597; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Using Reference Cells
E1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy
1.1 This test method provides a procedure for determining
Conversion
the ability of photovoltaic modules to withstand repeated
E1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground
immersion or splash exposure by seawater as might be encoun-
Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
tered when installed in a marine environment, such as a
floating aid-to-navigation. A combined environmental cycling
3. Terminology
exposure with modules repeatedly submerged in simulated
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this test
saltwater at varying temperatures and under repetitive pressur-
method may be found in Terminology E772 and Terminology
ization provides an accelerated basis for evaluation of aging
E1328.
effects of a marine environment on module materials and
3.2 Definition of Term Specific to This Standard:
construction.
3.2.1 PIT, n—Pressure, Immersion, and Temperature.
1.2 This test method defines photovoltaic module test speci-
mens and requirements for positioning modules for test,
4. Significance and Use
references suitable methods for determining changes in elec-
4.1 The useful life of photovoltaic modules deployed in
tricalperformanceandcharacteristics,andspecifiesparameters
marine applications (such as floating aids-to-navigation) may
which must be recorded and reported.
depend on the ability to withstand repeated exposure to salt
1.3 This test method does not establish pass or fail levels.
atmosphere, immersion in seawater, and the temperature
The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is
changes associated with seawater splash falling on modules
beyond the scope of this test method.
operating in sunlight. The effects of these exposures may be
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
physical or electrical changes in the module, or both.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.2 This test method describes a procedure for positioning
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the test specimen, conducting a cyclical combined pressure,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
immersion, and temperature (PIT) test, and reporting the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
results. It also references methods for conducting module
2. Referenced Documents electrical performance and insulation integrity tests.
2 4.3 Data generated by this test method may be used to
2.1 ASTM Standards:
evaluate and compare the effects of a simulated marine
D1141 Practice for the Preparation of Substitute Ocean
environment on test specimens. This test method requires
Water
recording of visible effects as well as electrical performance.
E772 Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
4.3.1 Effects on modules may vary from none to significant
E1036 Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Noncon-
changes. Some physical changes in the module may be visible
centrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays
when there are no apparent electrical changes in the module.
Similarly,electricalchangesmayoccurwithnovisiblechanges
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar,
in the module.
Geothermal,andOtherAlternativeEnergySourcesandisthedirectresponsibilityof
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Systems.
5. Apparatus
Current edition approved April 1, 2005. Published May 2005. Originally
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as E1597-99. DOI: 5.1 In addition to the apparatus required for Test Methods
10.1520/E1597-05.
E1036 and Test Method E1462, the following apparatus is
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required.
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Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
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E1597–05
5.1.1 PIT Chamber—A thermally insulated, pressure- solution temperatures in the two holding tanks to 6 6 3°C and
resistant test apparatus with a main chamber of sufficient 45 6 5°C, respectively.
volume to submerge the test
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