Standard Test Method for Saltwater Pressure Immersion and Temperature Testing of Photovoltaic Modules for Marine Environments

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 There is no similar or equivalent ISO Standard.
1.5 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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Historical
Publication Date
09-Oct-1999
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ASTM E1597-99 - Standard Test Method for Saltwater Pressure Immersion and Temperature Testing of Photovoltaic Modules for Marine Environments
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:E1597–99
Standard Test Method for
Saltwater Pressure Immersion and Temperature Testing of
Photovoltaic Modules for Marine Environments
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1597; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope concentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays
Using Reference Cells
1.1 This test method provides a procedure for determining
E 1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy
the ability of photovoltaic modules to withstand repeated
Conversion
immersion or splash exposure by seawater as might be encoun-
E 1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground
tered when installed in a marine environment, such as a
Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
floating aid-to-navigation. A combined environmental cycling
exposure with modules repeatedly submerged in simulated
3. Terminology
saltwater at varying temperatures and under repetitive pressur-
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this test
ization provides an accelerated basis for evaluation of aging
method may be found in Terminology E 772 and Terminology
effects of a marine environment on module materials and
E 1328.
construction.
3.2 Definition of Term Specific to This Standard:
1.2 This test method defines photovoltaic module test speci-
3.2.1 PIT, n—Pressure, Immersion, and Temperature.
mens and requirements for positioning modules for test,
references suitable methods for determining changes in elec-
4. Significance and Use
trical performance and characteristics, and specifies parameters
4.1 The useful life of photovoltaic modules deployed in
which must be recorded and reported.
marine applications (such as floating aids-to-navigation) may
1.3 This test method does not establish pass or fail levels.
depend on the ability to withstand repeated exposure to salt
The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is
atmosphere, immersion in seawater, and the temperature
beyond the scope of this test method.
changes associated with seawater splash falling on modules
1.4 There is no similar or equivalent ISO Standard.
operating in sunlight. The effects of these exposures may be
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
physical or electrical changes in the module, or both.
as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in
4.2 This test method describes a procedure for positioning
this standard.
the test specimen, conducting a cyclical combined pressure,
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
immersion, and temperature (PIT) test, and reporting the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
results. It also references methods for conducting module
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
electrical performance and insulation integrity tests.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.3 Data generated by this test method may be used to
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
evaluate and compare the effects of a simulated marine
2. Referenced Documents environment on test specimens. This test method requires
recording of visible effects as well as electrical performance.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.3.1 Effects on modules may vary from none to significant
D 1141 Specification for Substitute Ocean Water
3 changes. Some physical changes in the module may be visible
E 772 Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
when there are no apparent electrical changes in the module.
E 1036 Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Non-
Similarly,electricalchangesmayoccurwithnovisiblechanges
in the module.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-44 on Solar,
5. Apparatus
Geothermal,andOtherAlternativeEnergySourcesandisthedirectresponsibilityof
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Systems.
5.1 In addition to the apparatus required for Test Methods
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 1999. Published November 1999. Originally
E 1036 and Test Method E 1462, the following apparatus is
published as E 1597-94. Last previous edition E 1597-94.
2 required.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E1597
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 modules in simulated seawater 6.6 Test Sequence:
solution. A means of pressurizing the chamber with com- 6.6.1 Pump the hot seawater solution into the PIT chamber
pressed air to 35 kPa is required. Two secondary holding tanks
until the test samples are submerged. The pumping time shall
are required for storing prescribed volumes of simulated be 3 6 1 min.
seawater solution maintained at low temperature, 6 6 3°C, and
6.6.2 Pressurize the PIT chamber with compressed air to 35
hightemperature,45 65°C,respectively.Auxiliarypumpsand 6 1 kPa and hold for a minimum of 3 min.
valves for transferring solutions between the holding tanks and
6.6.3 Depressurize the chamber to atmospheric pressure and
the testing chamber are also needed. All equipment shall be hold for a minimum of 2 min.
constructed from corrosion resistant materials. Baffles or dif-
6.6.4 Repeat 6.6.2 and 6.6.3 for a total of five pressurization
fusers shall be employed to prevent mechanical shock to the
cycles.
test samples while pumping simulated seawater.
6.6.5 Pump the hot seawater solution out of the PIT cham-
ber and into the hot holding tank. The pumping time shall be 3
6. Procedure
6 1 min.
6.1
...

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