Standard Test Methods for Determining Mechanical Integrity of Photovoltaic Modules

SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determining the ability of photovoltaic modules to withstand the mechanical loads, stresses and deflections used to simulate, on an accelerated basis, high wind conditions, heavy snow and ice accumulation, and non-planar installation effects.
1.1.1 A static load test to 2400 Pa (50 lbf ft2) is used to simulate wind loads on both module surfaces
1.1.2 A static load test to 5400 Pa (113 lbf ft 2) is used to simulate heavy snow and ice accumulation on the module front surface.
1.1.3 A twist test is used to simulate the non-planar mounting of a photovoltaic module by subjecting it to a twist angle of (1/4 in. per ft).
1.1.4 A cyclic load test of 10 000 cycles duration and peak loading to 1440 Pa (30 lbf ft2) is used to simulate dynamic wind or flex-type loading which might occur at highway speeds for photovoltaic modules mounted, for example, on a truck, recreational vehicle, or trailer.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information purposes only.
1.3 These test methods define photovoltaic test specimens and mounting methods, and specify parameters that must be recorded and reported.
1.4 Any individual mechanical test may be performed singly, or may be combined into a test sequence with other mechanical or nonmechanical tests, or both. Certain preconditioning test methods such as annealing or light soaking may also be necessary or desirable as a part of such a sequence. However, the determination of such test sequencing and preconditioning is beyond the scope of these test methods.
1.5 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.
1.6 These test methods do not apply to concentrator modules.
1.7 There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
1.8 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the hazards portion, Section 6, and the warning statements, 7.5.3.2 and 7.6.3.2, of these test methods. 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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ASTM E1830-04 - Standard Test Methods for Determining Mechanical Integrity of Photovoltaic Modules
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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: E 1830 – 04
Standard Test Methods for
1
Determining Mechanical Integrity of Photovoltaic Modules
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1830; 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 1.6 These test methods do not apply to concentrator mod-
ules.
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determining
1.7 There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
theabilityofphotovoltaicmodulestowithstandthemechanical
1.8 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
loads, stresses and deflections used to simulate, on an acceler-
hazards portion, Section 6, and the warning statements, 7.5.3.2
ated basis, high wind conditions, heavy snow and ice accumu-
and 7.6.3.2, of these test methods. This standard does not
lation, and non-planar installation effects.
−2
purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated
1.1.1 A static load test to 2400 Pa (50 lbf ft ) is used to
with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard
simulate wind loads on both module surfaces
−2
to establish appropriate safety and health practices and
1.1.2 A static load test to 5400 Pa (113 lbf ft ) is used to
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to
simulateheavysnowandiceaccumulationonthemodulefront
use.
surface.
1.1.3 Atwist test is used to simulate the non-planar mount-
2. Referenced Documents
ing of a photovoltaic module by subjecting it to a twist angle
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1
of 1.2°( ⁄4 in. per ft).
E772 Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
1.1.4 A cyclic load test of 10000 cycles duration and peak
−2
E1036/E1036M Test Methods for Electrical Performance
loading to 1440 Pa (30 lbf ft ) is used to simulate dynamic
of Nonconcentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and
windorflex-typeloadingwhichmightoccurathighwayspeeds
Arrays Using Reference Cells
for photovoltaic modules mounted, for example, on a truck,
E1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy
recreational vehicle, or trailer.
Conversion
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
E1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground
standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
information purposes only.
E1799 Practice forVisual Inspection of Photovoltaic Mod-
1.3 These test methods define photovoltaic test specimens
ules
and mounting methods, and specify parameters that must be
recorded and reported.
3. Terminology
1.4 Any individual mechanical test may be performed
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in these test
singly, or may be combined into a test sequence with other
methodsmaybefoundinTerminologyE772andTerminology
mechanical or nonmechanical tests, or both. Certain precondi-
E1328.
tioning test methods such as annealing or light soaking may
also be necessary or desirable as a part of such a sequence.
4. Significance and Use
However, the determination of such test sequencing and
4.1 The useful life of photovoltaic modules may depend on
preconditioning is beyond the scope of these test methods.
theirabilitytowithstandperiodicexposuretohighwindforces,
1.5 These test methods do not establish pass or fail levels.
cyclic wind loads induced by vehicular motions, high loads
The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is
caused by accumulated snow and ice on the module surface,
beyond the scope of these test methods.
and twisting deflections caused by mounting to non-planar
surfaces or structures. The effects on the module may be
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on
2
Solar, Geothermal, and Other Alternative Energy Sources and is the direct For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
responsibility of Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion. 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 E1830–01. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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E1830–04
physical or electrical, or both. Most importantly, the effects 5.3.1 Test Base—A rigid test base shall be provided that
may compromise the safety of the module, particularly in high enables the module to be mounted front-side up or front-side
voltage applications
...

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