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ASTM E1597-10(2019)

(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
4.1 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.  
4.2 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.  
4.3 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 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
31-Mar-2019
ICS
27.160 - Solar energy engineering
Technical Committee
E44 - Solar, Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources
Drafting Committee
E44.09 - Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion
Current Stage
Ref Project

Relations

Replaces
ASTM E1597-10(2015) - Standard Test Method for Saltwater Pressure Immersion and Temperature Testing of Photovoltaic Modules for Marine Environments
Effective Date
01-Apr-2019
Refers
ASTM E1036-15(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Nonconcentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays Using Reference Cells
Effective Date
01-Apr-2019
Refers
ASTM E1462-12(2018) - Standard Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
Effective Date
01-Feb-2018
Refers
ASTM E1036-15 - Standard Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Nonconcentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays Using Reference Cells
Effective Date
01-Feb-2015
Refers
ASTM E772-13 - Standard Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
Effective Date
01-Sep-2013
Refers
ASTM E1036-12 - Standard Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Nonconcentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays Using Reference Cells
Effective Date
01-Dec-2012
Refers
ASTM E1462-12 - Standard Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
Effective Date
01-Mar-2012
Refers
ASTM E772-11 - Standard Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
Effective Date
01-Sep-2011
Refers
ASTM E1036-08 - Standard Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Nonconcentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays Using Reference Cells
Effective Date
01-Nov-2008
Refers
ASTM D1141-98(2008) - Standard Practice for the Preparation of Substitute Ocean Water
Effective Date
15-Jul-2008
Refers
ASTM E1036-02(2007) - Standard Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Nonconcentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays Using Reference Cells
Effective Date
01-Nov-2007
Refers
ASTM E1462-00(2006) - Standard Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
Effective Date
01-Mar-2006
Refers
ASTM E772-05 - Standard Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
Effective Date
01-Apr-2005
Refers
ASTM D1141-98(2003) - Standard Practice for the Preparation of Substitute Ocean Water
Effective Date
10-Aug-2003
Refers
ASTM E1328-03 - Standard Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion
Effective Date
10-May-2003

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ASTM E1597-10(2019) - Standard Test Method for Saltwater Pressure Immersion and Temperature Testing of Photovoltaic Modules for Marine EnvironmentsASTM E1597-10(2019) - Standard Test Method for Saltwater Pressure Immersion and Temperature Testing of Photovoltaic Modules for Marine Environments
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ASTM E1597-10(2019) - Standard Test Method for Saltwater Pressure Immersion and Temperature Testing of Photovoltaic Modules for Marine Environments
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Standards Content (Sample)


This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E1597 − 10 (Reapproved 2019) An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Saltwater Pressure Immersion and Temperature Testing of
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 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method provides a procedure for determining
D1141 Practice for the Preparation of Substitute Ocean
the ability of photovoltaic modules to withstand repeated
Water
immersion or splash exposure by seawater as might be encoun-
E772 Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
tered when installed in a marine environment, such as a
E1036 Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Noncon-
floating aid-to-navigation. A combined environmental cycling
centrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays
exposure with modules repeatedly submerged in simulated
Using Reference Cells
saltwater at varying temperatures and under repetitive pressur-
E1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy
ization provides an accelerated basis for evaluation of aging
Conversion (Withdrawn 2012)
effects of a marine environment on module materials and
E1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground
construction.
Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
1.2 This test method defines photovoltaic module test speci-
mens and requirements for positioning modules for test,
3. Terminology
references suitable methods for determining changes in elec-
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this test
tricalperformanceandcharacteristics,andspecifiesparameters
method may be found in Terminology E772 and Terminology
which must be recorded and reported.
E1328.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 This test method does not establish pass or fail levels.
3.2.1 PIT, n—Pressure, Immersion, and Temperature.
The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is
beyond the scope of this test method.
4. Significance and Use
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4.1 The useful life of photovoltaic modules deployed in
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
marine applications (such as floating aids-to-navigation) may
standard.
depend on the ability to withstand repeated exposure to salt
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
atmosphere, immersion in seawater, and the temperature
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
changes associated with seawater splash falling on modules
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
operating in sunlight. The effects of these exposures may be
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
physical or electrical changes in the module, or both.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.2 This test method describes a procedure for positioning
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
the test specimen, conducting a cyclical combined pressure,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
immersion, and temperature (PIT) test, and reporting the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
results. It also references methods for conducting module
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
electrical performance and insulation integrity tests.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.3 Data generated by this test method may be used to
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
evaluate and compare the effects of a simulated marine
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar, For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Geothermal and OtherAlternative Energy Sources and is the direct responsibility of contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved April 1, 2019. Published April 2019. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E1597-10(2015). DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/E1597-10R19. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1597 − 10 (2019)
environment on test specimens. This test method requires 6.3.2 Record the results of the visual examination using
recording of visible effects as well as electrical performance. photographs or a diagram of the specimen, or both, showing
the location and type of defect.
4.3.1 Effects on modules may vary from none to significant
changes. Some physical changes in the module may be visible
6.4 Sample Installation in PIT Chamber—Provide each test
when there are no apparent electrical changes in the module.
sample with a means of sealing any open junction box fittings
Similarly,electricalchangesmayoccurwithnovisiblechanges
or feedthroughs if equipped with pigtails. Position the module
in the module.
in the test chamber. Extend any module electrical leads above
the maximum expected saltwater depth.
5. Apparatus
6.5 Simulated Seawater Preparation—Prepare a simulated
5.1 In addition to the apparatus required for Test Methods
seawater solution of sufficient quantity to fill both holding
E1036 and Test Method E1462, the following apparatus is
tanks. An acceptable solution consists of a mixture of 3.63 kg
required.
of dry sea salt for every 94.6 litres of tap water, as in
5.1.1 PIT Chamber—A thermally insulated, pressure-
Specification D1141. The relative density of the solution
resistant test apparatus with a main chamber of sufficient
should be 1.025 6 0.005 at 15°C. Adjust and maintain the
volume to submerge the test modules in simulated seawater
solution temperatures in the two holding tanks to 6 6 3°C and
solution. A means of pressurizing the chamber with com-
45 6 5°C, respectively.
pr
...

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4.1 The design of a photovoltaic module or system intended to provide safe conversion of the sun's radiant energy into useful electricity must take into consideration the possibility of partial shadowing of the module(s) during operation. This test method describes a procedure for verifying that the design and construction of the module provides adequate protection against the potential harmful effects of hot spots during normal installation and use.  
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FIG. 1 Hot Spot Effect  
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FIG. 2 Bypass Diode Effect  
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ASTM E781-86(2023)(Practice)
Standard Practice for Evaluating Absorptive Solar Receiver Materials When Exposed to Conditions Simulating Stagnation in Solar Collectors with Cover Plates

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Although this practice is intended for evaluating solar absorber materials and coatings used in flat-plate collectors, no single procedure can duplicate the wide range of temperatures and environmental conditions to which these materials may be exposed during in-service conditions.  
4.2 This practice is intended as a screening test for absorber materials and coatings. All conditions are chosen to be representative of those encountered in solar collectors with single cover plates and with no added means of limiting the temperature during stagnation conditions.  
4.3 This practice uses exposure in a simulated collector with a single cover plate. Although collectors with additional cover plates will produce higher temperatures at stagnation, this procedure is considered to provide adequate thermal testing for most applications.
Note 1: Mathematical modeling has shown that a selective absorber, single glazed flat-plate solar collector can attain absorber plate stagnation temperatures as high as 226 °C (437 °F) with an ambient temperature of 37.8 °C (100 °F) and zero wind velocity, and a double glazed one as high as 245 °C (482 °F) under these conditions. The same configuration solar collector with a nonselective absorber can attain absorber stagnation temperatures as high as 146 °C (284 °F) if single glazed, and 185 °C (360 °F) if double glazed, with the same environmental conditions (see “Performance Criteria for Solar Heating and Cooling Systems in Commercial Buildings,” NBS Technical Note 1187).4  
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4.5 This practice differentiates between the testing of spectrally selective absorbers and nonselective absorbers.  
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SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers a test procedure for evaluating absorptive solar receiver materials and coatings when exposed to sunlight under cover plate(s) for long durations. This practice is intended to evaluate the exposure resistance of absorber materials and coatings used in flat-plate collectors where maximum non-operational stagnation temperatures will be approximately 200 °C (392 °F).  
1.2 This practice shall not apply to receiver materials used in solar collectors without covers (unglazed) or in evacuated collectors, that is, those that use a vacuum to suppress convective and conductive thermal losses.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

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ASTM
ASTM E822-92(2023)(Practice)
Standard Practice for Determining Resistance of Solar Collector Covers to Hail by Impact with Propelled Ice Balls

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
2.1 In many geographic areas there is concern about the effect of falling hail upon solar collector covers. This practice may be used to determine the ability of flat-plate solar collector covers to withstand the impact forces of hailstones. In this practice, the ability of a solar collector cover plate to withstand hail impact is related to its tested ability to withstand impact from ice balls. The effects of the impact on the material are highly variable and dependent upon the material.  
2.2 This practice describes a standard procedure for mounting the test specimen, conducting the impact test, and reporting the effects.  
2.2.1 The procedures for mounting cover plate materials and collectors are provided to ensure that they are tested in a configuration that relates to their use in a solar collector.  
2.2.2 The corner locations of the four impacts are chosen to represent vulnerable sites on the cover plate. Impacts near corner supports are more critical than impacts elsewhere. Only a single impact is specified at each of the impact locations. For test control purposes, multiple impacts in a single location are not permitted because a subcritical impact may still cause damage that would alter the response to subsequent impacts.  
2.2.3 Resultant velocity is used to simulate the velocity that may be reached by hail accompanied by wind. The resultant velocity used in this practice is determined by vector addition of a 20 m/s (45 mph) horizontal velocity to the vertical terminal velocity.  
2.2.4 Ice balls are used in this practice to simulate hailstones because natural hailstones are not readily available to use, and ice balls closely approximate hailstones. However, no direct relationship has been established between the effect of impact of ice balls and hailstones. Hailstones are highly variable in properties such as shape, density, and frangibility.2 These properties affect factors such as the kinetic energy delivered to the cover plate, the period during ...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers a procedure for determining the ability of cover plates for flat-plate solar collectors to withstand impact forces of falling hail. Propelled ice balls are used to simulate falling hailstones. This practice is not intended to apply to photovoltaic cells or arrays.  
1.2 This practice defines two types of test specimens, describes methods for mounting specimens, specifies impact locations on each test specimen, provides an equation for determining the velocity of any size ice ball, provides a method for impacting the test specimens with ice balls, and specifies parameters that must be recorded and reported.  
1.3 This practice does not establish pass or fail levels. The determination of acceptable or unacceptable levels of ice-ball impact resistance is beyond the scope of this practice.  
1.4 The size of ice ball to be used in conducting this test is not specified in this practice. This practice can be used with various sizes of ice balls.  
1.5 The categories of solar collector cover plate materials to which this practice may be applied cover the range of:  
1.5.1 Brittle sheet, such as glass,  
1.5.2 Semirigid sheet, such as plastic, and  
1.5.3 Flexible membrane, such as plastic film.  
1.6 Solar collector cover materials should be tested as:  
1.6.1 Part of an assembled collector (Type 1 specimen), or  
1.6.2 Mounted on a separate test frame cover plate holder (Type 2 specimen).  
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.8 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.9 This international standard was developed in accordance with internatio...

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ASTM E782-95(2022)(Practice)
Standard Practice for Exposure of Cover Materials for Solar Collectors to Natural Weathering Under Conditions Simulating Operational Mode

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This practice describes a weathering box test fixture and provides uniform exposure guidelines to minimize the variables encountered during outdoor exposure testing.  
3.2 This practice may be useful in comparing the performance of different materials at one site or the performance of the same material at different sites, or both.  
3.3 Since the combination of elevated temperature and solar radiation may cause some solar collector cover materials to degrade more rapidly than either alone, a weathering box that elevates the temperature of the cover materials is used.  
3.4 This practice is intended to assist in the evaluation of solar collector cover materials in the operational, not stagnation mode. Insufficient data exist to obtain exact correlation between the behavior of materials exposed according to this practice and actual in-service performance.  
3.5 Means of evaluation of effects of weathering are provided in Practice E781, and in other ASTM test methods that evaluate material properties.  
3.6 Tests of the type described in this practice may be used to evaluate the stability of solar collector cover materials when exposed outdoors to the varied influences which comprise weather. Exposure conditions are complex and changeable. Important factors are solar radiation, temperature, moisture, time of year, presence of pollutants, etc. These factors vary from site to site and should be considered in selecting locations for exposure. Control samples must always be used in weathering tests for comparative analysis. Outdoor exposure for at least two years is required to make evident changes, such as surface degradation without the use of sophisticated analytical equipment.  
3.7 Temperature conditions attained with this box may not exactly duplicate those that occur under operational conditions with fluid flow. Dependent on environmental exposure conditions, the cover plate temperatures obtained with this box may be higher or lower than those obtained und...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides a procedure for the exposure of cover materials for flat-plate solar collectors to the natural weather environment at temperatures that are elevated to approximate operating conditions.  
1.2 This practice is suitable for exposure of both glass and plastic solar collector cover materials. Provisions are made for exposure of single and double cover assemblies to accommodate the need for exposure of both inner and outer solar collector cover materials.  
1.3 This practice does not apply to cover materials for evacuated collectors or photovoltaics.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

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ASTM E881-92(2022)(Practice)
Standard Practice for Exposure of Solar Collector Cover Materials to Natural Weathering Under Conditions Simulating Stagnation Mode

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice describes a weathering box test fixture and establishes limits for the heat loss coefficients. Uniform exposure guidelines are provided to minimize the variables encountered during outdoor exposure testing.  
4.2 Since the combination of elevated temperature and solar radiation may cause some solar collector cover materials to degrade more rapidly than either exposure alone, a weathering box that elevates the temperature of the cover materials is used.  
4.3 This practice may be used to assist in the evaluation of solar collector cover materials in the stagnation mode. No single temperature or procedure can duplicate the range of temperatures and environmental conditions to which cover materials may be exposed during stagnation conditions. To assist in evaluation of solar collector cover materials in the operational mode, Practice E782 should be used. Insufficient data exist to obtain exact correlation between the behavior of materials exposed in accordance with this practice and actual in-service performance.  
4.4 This practice may also be useful in comparing the performance of different materials at one site or the performance of the same material at different sites, or both.  
4.5 Means of evaluating the effects of weathering are provided in Practice E765, and in other ASTM test methods that evaluate material properties.  
4.6 Exposures of the type described in this practice may be used to evaluate the stability of solar collector cover materials when exposed outdoors to the varied influences that comprise weather. Exposure conditions are complex and changeable. Important factors are material temperature, climate, time of year, presence of industrial pollution, etc. Generally, because it is difficult to define or measure precisely the factors influencing degradation due to weathering, results of outdoor exposure tests must be taken as indicative only. Repeated exposure testing at different seasons over a period of more than one year is req...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers a procedure for the exposure of solar collector cover materials to the natural weather environment at elevated temperatures that approximate stagnation conditions in solar collectors having a combined back and edge loss coefficient of less than 1.5 W/(m2·°C).  
1.2 This practice is suitable for exposure of both glass and plastic solar collector cover materials. Provisions are made for exposure of single and double cover assemblies to accommodate the need for exposure of both inner and outer solar collector cover materials.  
1.3 This practice does not apply to cover materials for evacuated collectors, photovoltaic cells, flat-plate collectors having a combined back and edge loss coefficient greater than 1.5 W/(m2·°C), or flat-plate collectors whose design incorporates means for limiting temperatures during stagnation.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

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