ASTM E1597-10
(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.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: E1597 − 10
StandardTest Method for
Saltwater Pressure Immersion and Temperature Testing of
1
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 E772 Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
E1036 Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Noncon-
1.1 This test method provides a procedure for determining
centrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays
the ability of photovoltaic modules to withstand repeated
Using Reference Cells
immersion or splash exposure by seawater as might be encoun-
E1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy
tered when installed in a marine environment, such as a
3
Conversion (Withdrawn 2012)
floating aid-to-navigation. A combined environmental cycling
E1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground
exposure with modules repeatedly submerged in simulated
Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
saltwater at varying temperatures and under repetitive pressur-
ization provides an accelerated basis for evaluation of aging
3. Terminology
effects of a marine environment on module materials and
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this test
construction.
method may be found in Terminology E772 and Terminology
1.2 This test method defines photovoltaic module test speci-
E1328.
mens and requirements for positioning modules for test,
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
references suitable methods for determining changes in elec-
3.2.1 PIT, n—Pressure, Immersion, and Temperature.
tricalperformanceandcharacteristics,andspecifiesparameters
which must be recorded and reported.
4. Significance and Use
1.3 This test method does not establish pass or fail levels.
4.1 The useful life of photovoltaic modules deployed in
The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is
marine applications (such as floating aids-to-navigation) may
beyond the scope of this test method.
depend on the ability to withstand repeated exposure to salt
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
atmosphere, immersion in seawater, and the temperature
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
changes associated with seawater splash falling on modules
standard.
operating in sunlight. The effects of these exposures may be
physical or electrical changes in the module, or both.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
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
electrical performance and insulation integrity tests.
2. Referenced Documents
4.3 Data generated by this test method may be used to
2
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.
4.3.1 Effects on modules may vary from none to significant
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar,
changes. Some physical changes in the module may be visible
Geothermal and OtherAlternative Energy Sources and is the direct responsibility of
when there are no apparent electrical changes in the module.
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion.
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2010.PublishedJuly2010.Originallyapproved Similarly,electricalchangesmayoccurwithnovisiblechanges
in1994.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2005asE1597-05.DOI:10.1520/E1597-
in the module.
10.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1597 − 10
5. Apparatus 6.5 Simulated Seawater Preparation—Prepare a simulated
seawater solution of sufficient quantity to fill both holding
5.1 In addi
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:E1597–05 Designation:E1597–10
Standard Test Method for
Saltwater Pressure Immersion and Temperature Testing of
1
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
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
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1141 Practice for the Preparation of Substitute Ocean Water
E772 Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
E1036 Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Nonconcentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays Using
Reference Cells
E1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion
E1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this test method may be found in Terminology E772 and Terminology E1328.
3.2 Definition of Term Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 PIT, n—Pressure, Immersion, and Temperature.
4. 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.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar, Geothermal, and Other Alternative Energy Sources and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Systems.Conversion.
Current edition approved AprilJune 1, 2005.2010. Published May 2005.July 2010. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 19992005 as
E1597-99.E1597-05. DOI: 10.1520/E1597-105.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1597–10
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 a
...
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