ASTM E1143-05(2019)

Standard Test Method for Determining the Linearity of a Photovoltaic Device Parameter with Respect To a Test Parameter

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is used to evaluate the applicability of other ASTM test methods to a photovoltaic device.  
5.2 The procedure described in this test method is intended to be used to determine the degree of linearity between the short-circuit current of a photovoltaic device and the irradiance level incident on the device. This test method can be used for other device parameters, provided the function passes through the origin.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method determines the degree of linearity of a photovoltaic device parameter with respect to a test parameter, for example, short-circuit current with respect to irradiance.  
1.2 The linearity determined by this test method applies only at the time of testing, and implies no past or future performance level.  
1.3 This test method applies only to non-concentrator terrestrial photovoltaic devices.  
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

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1143-05(2015) - Standard Test Method for Determining the Linearity of a Photovoltaic Device Parameter with Respect To a Test Parameter
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Refers: ASTM E948-16(2020) - Standard Test Method for Electrical Performance of Photovoltaic Cells Using Reference Cells Under Simulated Sunlight
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• 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 E948-16 - Standard Test Method for Electrical Performance of Photovoltaic Cells Using Reference Cells Under Simulated Sunlight
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016
• 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 E948-15 - Standard Test Method for Electrical Performance of Photovoltaic Cells Using Reference Cells Under Simulated Sunlight
• 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 E772-11 - Standard Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Refers: ASTM E948-09 - Standard Test Method for Electrical Performance of Photovoltaic Cells Using Reference Cells Under Simulated Sunlight
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2009
• 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 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 E948-05a - Standard Test Method for Electrical Performance of Photovoltaic Cells Using Reference Cells Under Simulated Sunlight
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2005
• Refers: ASTM E772-05 - Standard Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2005
• Refers: ASTM E948-05 - Standard Test Method for Electrical Performance of Photovoltaic Cells Using Reference Cells Under Simulated Sunlight
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2005

Overview

ASTM E1143-05(2019) is an international standard test method developed by ASTM International for determining the linearity of a photovoltaic device parameter with respect to a test parameter, such as the short-circuit current (I_sc) with respect to irradiance. This standard is specifically applicable to non-concentrator terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) devices and is crucial for assessing device performance and the relevance of other related ASTM test methods. The test provides a clear approach to evaluate the linear relationship between a selected device parameter and a corresponding test condition, ensuring reliable and repeatable measurements.

Key Topics

• Linearity Assessment: The core of this standard is to quantitatively determine how a PV device parameter, like short-circuit current, responds to varying levels of a test parameter such as irradiance.
• Applicability: The method is used to verify whether other ASTM photovoltaic test methods are appropriate based on the linearity established.
• Measurement Guidelines: Specifies that measurements must be done across a range of at least five distinct test parameter values, equally spaced and covering the full operational range.
• Standardization: All values must be reported in SI units to maintain international consistency.
• Device Parameters and Test Conditions: While primarily applied to short-circuit current vs. irradiance, other parameters may also be evaluated if the associated function passes through the origin.
• Safety and Responsibilities: The standard emphasizes that users must establish suitable safety, health, and environmental practices prior to conducting tests.

Applications

• Photovoltaic Device Characterization: Assessing the linear performance of PV modules ensures accurate simulation, modeling, and real-world deployment of solar panels.
• Performance Validation: Provides manufacturers and researchers with a standardized approach to validate short-circuit current behavior under various irradiance conditions, ensuring device reliability.
• Research and Development: Useful in the R&D phase for developing new PV technologies, enabling comparison and validation of innovative cell and module designs.
• Quality Assurance: Helps testing labs and certifiers ensure that PV devices meet industry requirements for predictability and repeatability.
• Test Method Evaluation: Before applying other ASTM PV test standards, this method checks the foundational linearity needed for accurate assessments.

Related Standards

ASTM E1143-05(2019) references several related standards and terminology documents to provide comprehensive PV testing protocols:

• ASTM E948: Test Method for Electrical Performance of Photovoltaic Cells Using Reference Cells Under Simulated Sunlight.
• ASTM E1036: Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Non-concentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays Using Reference Cells.
• ASTM E772: Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion (withdrawn but may still be referenced for legacy understanding).
• ASTM E1328: Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion (withdrawn in 2012 but historically relevant).

These documents, along with ASTM E1143, create a structured approach for photovoltaic device testing, helping laboratories, manufacturers, and standards organizations align on consistent procedures for performance assessment.

By implementing ASTM E1143-05(2019), users enhance the reliability of photovoltaic device measurements and contribute to the broader goal of advancing solar energy conversion technologies with standardized best practices.

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: E1143 − 05 (Reapproved 2019) An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Linearity of a Photovoltaic Device
Parameter with Respect To a Test Parameter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1143; 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 centrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays
Using Reference Cells
1.1 This test method determines the degree of linearity of a
E1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy
photovoltaic device parameter with respect to a test parameter,
Conversion (Withdrawn 2012)
for example, short-circuit current with respect to irradiance.
3. Terminology
1.2 The linearity determined by this test method applies
only at the time of testing, and implies no past or future
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
performance level.
method, see Terminologies E772 and E1328.
1.3 This test method applies only to non-concentrator ter-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
restrial photovoltaic devices.
3.2.1 photovoltaic device parameter—a characteristic of a
photovoltaic device, such as short-circuit current or open-
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
circuit voltage.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
3.2.2 test parameter—a characteristic of the test conditions
to which the photovoltaic device is exposed, such as irradiance
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
or temperature.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.3 Symbols:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Meaning Symbol
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Test parameter X
Device parameter Y
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
Number of data pairs taken n
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Slope of the linear function m
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Fit to the data
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- Estimated variance of the slope s
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4. Summary of Test Method
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.1 This test method requires the measurement of the
parameters in question at or near the anticipated device
2. Referenced Documents
operating conditions.The number of measurements made must
2.1 ASTM Standards:
be sufficient to cover the range of operating conditions ex-
E772 Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
pected.
E948 Test Method for Electrical Performance of Photovol-
4.2 Device electrical parameters shall be measured in ac-
taic Cells Using Reference Cells Under Simulated Sun-
cordance with Test Methods E948 or Test Methods E1036,
light
whichever is applicable.
E1036 Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Noncon-
4.3 A linear function that passes through the origin is fit to
the data, and the deviation of these data from the function is
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar,
used as the criterion for determining linearity.
Geothermal and OtherAlternative Energy Sources and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion.
5. Significance and Use
Current edition approved April 1, 2019. Published April 2019. Originally
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E1143 – 05 (2015). 5.1 This test method is used to
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