Standard Test Methods for Photovoltaic Modules in Cyclic Temperature and Humidity Environments

SCOPE
1.1 These test methods provide procedures for stressing photovoltaic modules in simulated temperature and humidity environments. Environmental testing is used to simulate aging of module materials on an accelerated basis.
1.2 Three individual environmental test procedures are defined by these test methods: a thermal cycling procedure, a humidity-freeze cycling procedure, and an extended duration damp heat procedure. Electrical biasing is utilized during the thermal cycling procedure to simulate stresses that are known to occur in field-deployed modules.
1.3 These test methods define mounting methods for modules undergoing environmental testing, and specify parameters that must be recorded and reported.
1.4 These test methods do not establish pass or fail levels. The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is beyond the scope of these test methods.
1.5 Any of the individual environmental tests may be performed singly, or may be combined into a test sequence with other environmental or non-environmental tests, or both. Certain pre-conditioning tests such as annealing or light soaking may also be necessary or desirable as part of such a sequence. The determination of any such sequencing and pre-conditioning is beyond the scope of this test method.
1.6 These test procedures are limited in duration and therefore the results of these tests cannot be used to determine photovoltaic module lifetimes.
1.7 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.

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29-Feb-2004
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ASTM E1171-04 - Standard Test Methods for Photovoltaic Modules in Cyclic Temperature and Humidity Environments
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:E1171–04
Standard Test Methods for
Photovoltaic Modules in Cyclic Temperature and Humidity
1
Environments
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1171; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 These test methods provide procedures for stressing 2.1 ASTM Standards:
photovoltaic modules in simulated temperature and humidity E772 Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
environments. Environmental testing is used to simulate aging E1036 Methods of Testing Electrical Performance of Non-
of module materials on an accelerated basis. concentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays
1.2 Three individual environmental test procedures are de- Using Reference Cells
fined by these test methods: a thermal cycling procedure, a E1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy
humidity-freeze cycling procedure, and an extended duration Conversion
damp heat procedure. Electrical biasing is utilized during the E1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground
thermal cycling procedure to simulate stresses that are known Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
to occur in field-deployed modules. E1799 Practice for Visual Inspections of Photovoltaic
1.3 These test methods define mounting methods for mod- Modules
ules undergoing environmental testing, and specify parameters
3. Terminology
that must be recorded and reported.
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this standard
1.4 These test methods do not establish pass or fail levels.
The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is may be found in Terminology E772 and in Terminology
E1328.
beyond the scope of these test methods.
1.5 Any of the individual environmental tests may be 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 module ground point—the terminal or lead identified
performed singly, or may be combined into a test sequence
by the manufacturer as the grounding point of the module.
with other environmental or non-environmental tests, or both.
Certain pre-conditioning tests such as annealing or light
4. Significance and Use
soaking may also be necessary or desirable as part of such a
4.1 The useful life of photovoltaic modules may depend on
sequence. The determination of any such sequencing and
their ability to withstand repeated temperature cycling with
pre-conditioning is beyond the scope of this test method.
varying amounts of moisture in the air. These test methods
1.6 These test procedures are limited in duration and there-
provide procedures for simulating the effects of cyclic tem-
fore the results of these tests cannot be used to determine
perature and humidity environments. An extended duration
photovoltaic module lifetimes.
dampheatprocedureisprovidedtosimulatetheeffectsoflong
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
term exposure to high humidity.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.2 Mounting—Test modules are mounted so that they are
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
electrically isolated from each other, and in such a manner to
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
allow free air circulation around the front and back surfaces of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the modules.
4.3 Current Biasing:
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on
Solar, Geothermal, and Other Alternative Energy Sources and is the direct
2
responsibility of Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electrical Power Conver- For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
sion. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved March 1, 2004. Published April 2004. Originally Standardsvolume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as E1171–01. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E1171–04
4.3.1 During the thermal cycling procedure, test modules 5.4.1 Itisnotrequiredtomountthetestmodulesatanangle
are operated without illumination and with a forward-bias such as when modules are installed as part of an array; they
current equal to the maximum power point current at standard may be mounted vertically to facilitate testing multiple mod-
reporting conditions (SRC, see Test Methods E1036) flowing ules inside the environmental chamber.
th
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