ASTM E1171-01
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Photovoltaic Modules in Cyclic Temperature and Humidity Environments
Standard Test Method 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 There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:E1171–01
Standard Test Methods for
Photovoltaic Modules in Cyclic Temperature and Humidity
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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
1.1 These test methods provide procedures for stressing 2.1 ASTM Standards:
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
term exposure to high humidity.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.2 Mounting—Test modules are mounted so that they are
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
electrically isolated from each other, and in such a manner to
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
allow free air circulation around the front and back surfaces of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
the modules.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.3 Current Biasing:
4.3.1 During the thermal cycling procedure, test modules
are operated without illumination and with a forward-bias
current equal to the maximum power point current at standard
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These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on
reporting conditions (SRC, see Test Methods E1036) flowing
Solar, Geothermal, and Other Alternative Energy Sources and is the direct
through the module circuitry.
responsibility of Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electrical Power Conver-
sion.
Current edition approved June 10, 2001. Published September 2001. Originally
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published as E1171–96. Last previous edition E1171–96. 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.
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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.
E1171–01
4.3.2 The current biasing is intended to stress the module 5.4.3 The test frame should be constructed such that corro-
interconnections and solder bonds in ways similar to
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