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ASTM E683-91(2001)

(Practice)

Standard Practice for Installation and Service of Solar Space Heating Systems for One- and Two-Family Dwellings

Standard Practice for Installation and Service of Solar Space Heating Systems for One- and Two-Family Dwellings

SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers solar space heating systems for one- and two-family dwellings. It sets forth acceptable installation and service practices to help ensure adequate performance, safety, and consumer satisfaction.
1.2 This practice is intended to describe acceptable practices for space heating systems in new and existing dwellings and shall not be construed as the optimization of good practices.
1.3 This practice does not apply to Rankine cycle, heat pump, or high pressure vapor systems.
1.4 This practice is not intended to abridge safety or health requirements. All systems shall be installed in accordance with local codes and ordinances.
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. (For specific safety precautions, see Section 6).

General Information

Status
Historical
Publication Date
21-Feb-1991
ICS
27.160 - Solar energy engineering
Technical Committee
E44 - Solar, Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources
Current Stage
Ref Project

Relations

Replaces
ASTM E683-91(1995)e1 - Standard Practice for Installation and Service of Solar Space Heating Systems for One- and Two-Family Dwellings
Effective Date
22-Feb-1991
Replaced By
ASTM E683-91(2007) - Standard Practice for Installation and Service of Solar Space Heating Systems for One- and Two-Family Dwellings
Effective Date
01-Mar-2007

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ASTM E683-91(2001) - Standard Practice for Installation and Service of Solar Space Heating Systems for One- and Two-Family DwellingsASTM E683-91(2001) - Standard Practice for Installation and Service of Solar Space Heating Systems for One- and Two-Family Dwellings
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ASTM E683-91(2001) - Standard Practice for Installation and Service of Solar Space Heating Systems for One- and Two-Family Dwellings
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:E683–91(Reapproved 2001)
Standard Practice for
Installation and Service of Solar Space Heating Systems for
One- and Two-Family Dwellings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 683; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Supplement—Solar Heating and Domestic Hot Water
Systems
1.1 This practice covers solar space heating systems for
one- and two-family dwellings. It sets forth acceptable instal-
3. Terminology
lation and service practices to help ensure adequate perfor-
3.1 Definitions:
mance, safety, and consumer satisfaction.
3.1.1 air handling unit, n—a device used for distributing
1.2 Thispracticeisintendedtodescribeacceptablepractices
conditioned air supply to a room, space, or area.
for space heating systems in new and existing dwellings and
3.1.2 building, n—a structure erected and framed of com-
shall not be construed as the optimization of good practices.
ponent structural members designed for the housing, shelter, or
1.3 This practice does not apply to Rankine cycle, heat
support of persons, animals, or property.
pump, or high pressure vapor systems.
3.1.3 code, n—a set of applicable regulations which a
1.4 This practice is not intended to abridge safety or health
jurisdiction has lawfully adopted.
requirements.All systems shall be installed in accordance with
3.1.4 collector, solar thermal, n—a device designed to
local codes and ordinances.
absorb solar irradiance and to transfer the energy to a fluid
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
passing through it. (E772)
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.5 collector subsystem, n—that portion of the solar sys-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tem which includes the solar collectors and related piping or
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
ducts. (E772)
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. (For specific safety
3.1.6 distribution subsystem, n—that portion of the solar
precautions, see Section 6).
system from the storage device to the point of ultimate use.
2. Referenced Documents (E772)
3.1.7 energy (heat) transfer fluid, n—the medium used to
2.1 ASTM Standards:
transferenergyfromthesolarcollectorstothestoragemedium.
E 772 Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
3 3.1.8 potable water, n—water that is satisfactory for drink-
2.2 ANSI Standards:
ing and culinary purposes, meeting the requirements of the
A58.1 Building Code Requirements for Minimum Design
health department having jurisdiction. (E772)
Loads in Buildings and Other Structures.
3.1.9 pressure relief device, n—a pressure-activated valve
C1 National Electrical Code
designed to automatically relieve excessive pressure.
Z97.1 Performance Specifications and Methods of Test for
3.1.10 shall, vi—as used in this practice, a term used to
Safety Glazing Materials Used in Buildings
denote a mandatory requirement.
2.3 Other Standards:
3.1.11 should, vi—as used in this practice, a term used to
Installation Standards for One- and Two-Family Dwellings
denote a recommendation.
and Multi-Family Housing, Including Solar
3.2 solar system, n—a configuration of equipment and
HUD Intermediate Minimum Property Standards
components used to absorb, convey, store, convert, and distrib-
ute the energy from the sun.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar,
4. Collector Subsystems
Geothermal, and Other Alternative Energy Sources, and is the direct responsibility
of Subcommittee E44.05 on Solar Heating and Cooling Subsystems and Systems.
4.1 Collectors shall be installed in accordance with the
Current edition approved Feb. 22, 1991. Published July 1991.
instructions provided by the collector manufacturer and de-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.02.
signer, in compliance with local codes and ordinances.
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Available from Sheet Metal and Air-Conditioning Contractors National Assn.,
8224 Old Courthouse Rd., Vienna, VA 22180. Available from HUD USER, P.O. Box 6091, Rockville, MD 20850.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E683
4.2 Structural supports shall be constructed to support the 4.16 Collectors made of combustible materials shall not be
collector under all anticipated extremes of environmental located on or adjacent to construction required to be of
conditions and to withstand local conditions and anticipated noncombustible materials or in special fire zones.
loads, such as wind, earthquake, rain, snow, ice, and freezing 4.17 Collectors should be mounted in a manner so as to take
temperatures, so that the solar system does not impair the the best advantage of the sun’s energy.
resistivity to damage of the building. Additional weight of
5. Thermal Storage Devices
collectors shall not exceed dead weight limitations of the
5.1 Thermal storage devices shall be installed in accordance
building structure, foundation, or soil. Conversely, collector
with the instructions provided by the manufacturer, in compli-
supports shall not impose undue stresses on the collectors.
ance with local codes and ordinances. Consideration shall be
4.3 Structural supports shall be constructed to maintain
giventothetypeofservice,temperature,storagemedia,design
collector tilt and orientation within design conditions through-
pressures, connections, flow, thermal storage capacity, mixing,
out the life of the solar system.
and stratification, etc.
4.4 Structural supports shall be installed in a manner such
5.2 Liquid storage devices shall be leak-tested in accor-
that the integrity, weather resistance, and fire resistance of the
dance with recognized national standards.
building are not adversely affected. Joints between support
5.3 Nonliquidstoragedevicesneednotbeleak-testedunless
structures and building shall be caulked or flashed, or both, to
a safety hazard or contamination could result from a storage
prevent water leakage. Access shall be provided to permit
device failure or if leakage could result in deterioration of the
minor repairs to flashing and caulking without disturbing roof,
storage capacity.
collector supports, or collector panels.
5.4 Above ground storage devices shall be selected and
4.5 Collectors shall be installed so as not to contribute to
installed to withstand all anticipated loads resulting from wind,
moisture buildup, rotting, or other accelerated deterioration of
hail, snow, and seismic conditions (where applicable). Protec-
roofing materials.
tive coatings, casing materials, or enclosures shall be provided
4.6 Collectors and supports shall be installed in a manner
topreventdamagefromcontinuousexposuretoweather.Wood
such that water flowing off the collector surface will not
structural members shall be protected against deterioration
accumulate on the roof surfaces, so as to form ice dams or
from weathering, dry rot, ants, termites, and other adverse
cause water damage to the building, or both. Provisions shall
conditions. Footings and foundations shall support the storage
be taken to minimize buildup of snow upon collectors, which
device under all anticipated extremes of soil conditions.
may reduce their effectiveness.
5.5 Underground storage devices shall be selected and
4.7 Structural supports shall be selected and installed in a
installed to withstand all anticipated loads resulting from soil,
manner, such that thermal expansion of collector will not cause
hydrostatic, and foundation. Such devices shall be anchored to
damage to the collector, structural frame, or building.
prevent flotation resulting from flooding or high ground water
4.8 Pipe hangers, supports, expansion devices, and insula- levels (where applicable). Protective coatings, casing material,
tion shall be provided to compensate for thermal expansion enclosures, or cathodic protection shall be provided to prevent
effects and to minimize thermal losses. Care shall be exercised damage from exposure to soil conditions and electrolytic
during their installation to prevent damage to connections on action.
the collector or collector casing.
5.6 Underground storage devices subject to overhead ve-
hicular traffic shall be designed and installed to withstand the
4.9 Interconnecting piping or ducting shall be installed to
additional load applied by this traffic.
minimizeflowrestrictionsandtoprovidebalancedflow.Piping
5.7 Insulation shall be provided to minimize thermal losses
shall be installed to allow for filling and draining.
from storage devices, related piping, and duct work. Insulation
4.10 Safe access to components subject to deterioration or
shall be suitable for the application, site, and occupancy
failure, such as rubber hoses, joint sealants, and cover plates
conditions. Underground storage devices shall be given special
shall be provided to allow for maintenance or repair. For
consideration to prevent deterioration of insulating properties
roof-mounted collectors, the work space adjacent to collectors
by compression, water penetration, or bacterial action.
and provisions for safe placement of ladders shall be consid-
5.8 Care shall be exercised during the installation of the
ered.
storage device to prevent damage to such device and insulation
4.11 Safety protection shall be provided to prevent injury to
material during handling, mounting, backfilling, packing, or
personnel from contact with readily accessible hot surfaces.
other installation procedures.
4.12 Collectors mounted at ground level shall be provided
5.9 Liquid storage devices shall be provided with means for
with protective fencing, guard rails, and warning signs in
draining its contents. All above-ground liquid storage devices
compliance with local codes and ordinances.
shall have a valved pipe or bibb at the lowest point for
4.13 Protection of collectors and components shall be pro-
drainage. Underground liquid storage devices shall have pro-
vided during handling and installation to prevent damage from
visions for utilizing a pump, siphon, or other device for
environmental exposure.
draining.
4.14 Glazings of collectors mounted at ground level shall
5.10 When required by design, liquid storage devices shall
meet the requirements specified in ANSI Z97.1.
have a level gage or other device to indicate when the tank is
4.15 Frames and braces used in collector construction shall full of liquid. If liquid storage devices are provided with
be made of materials suitable for exterior location. overflows, the outlets shall be located so that spillage will not
E683
run into the building structure or damage the premises. Fill 7. Piping, Ducting and Ancillary Equipment
devices shall be installed with approved backflow prevention
7.1 Piping, ducting and equipment shall be located so as to
devices as required by local codes or ordinances, to prevent
not interfere with the normal operation of windows, doors, or
contamination of potable water supplies.
other exit openings. Piping, ducting, and equipment shall be
5.11 Manholes or access openings shall be provided to
installed in a manner so as to prevent damage to such piping,
permit access to components inside of the storage device.
ducting, and equipment; prevent injury to persons; and in
5.12 Storage devices installed on a roof or in an attic shall accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and in com-
be provided with a drip pan whose outlet is piped to an pliance with local codes and ordinances.
adequate drain. 7.2 Underground piping subject to overhead vehicular traf-
fic shall be installed to withstand the additional load applied by
6. Controls and Safety Devices this traffic.
7.3 Piping shall be installed to facilitate drainage of liquid
6.1 Controls and safety devices shall be selected so that, in
systems. Isolation valves shall be provided so that major
the event of a power failure or a failure of any component,
components of solar heating systems can be maintained or
temperatures or pressures in the system, or both, will not
serviced.
damage other components or the building, nor present a danger
7.4 Insulation shall be provided to minimize thermal losses
to people. Such devices shall be installed in accordance with
from piping and ducting. Insulation shall be suitable for the
the manufacturer’s instructions and in compliance with local
application and location. Underground installations shall be
codes and ordinances. Solar systems shall be selected and
given special consideration to prevent deterioration of insulat-
installed to fail safe.
ing properties by compression, water penetration, or bacterial
6.2 Controls shall be selected and installed so that the solar
action.
components and auxiliary components will operate in concert
7.5 Air-bleed provisions shall be required at the high points
and independently. Controls shall be designed to revert to the
of liquid systems so that air can be purged from the liquid
most economical mode.
circuit during filling and normal operations.
6.3 Adequately sized pressure or temperature relief devices,
7.6 Suitable connections shall be provided for filling, drain-
or both, shall be provided in those isolated parts of the solar
ing, and flushing liquid systems.
system containing pressurized fluids. Relief valves shall drain
7.7 Air-type systems shall be provided with adequate, re-
to locations acceptable to local codes and ordinances. Precau-
movable filtering devices to allow initial cleaning and contin-
tionshallbetakentoassurethatheattransferfluids,whichmay
ued filtering to minimize excessive contamination during
be hazardous, do not discharge onto the roof or other parts of
operation.
the structure, causing structural damage, building finish discol-
7.8 Piping shall be leak-tested before enclosing, backfilling,
oration, damage to shrubs and lawns, or danger to people.
orinsulating.Cautionshallbeexercisedsothatexcesspressure
6.4 Expansion tanks shall be provided where required, as
is not applied to the system.The manufacturer of the system or
part of the solar heating system to provide for thermal
components shall be consulted for recommended test pressure
expansion of heat-transfer liquids. Expansion tanks shall be
and procedures.
sized for the operating temperature ranges.
7.9 Ducts shall be constructed and installed in accordance
6.5 Controls shall activate the collector loop whenever
with recognized national standards. Le
...

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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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4.3 Hot spot heating occurs in a module when its operating current exceeds the reduced short-circuit current (ISC) of a shadowed or faulty cell or group of cells. When such a condition occurs, the affected cell or group of cells is forced into reverse bias and must dissipate power, which can cause overheating.
Note 1: The correct use of bypass diodes can prevent hot spot damage from occurring.  
4.4 Fig. 1 illustrates the hot spot effect in a module of a series string of cells, one of which, cell Y, is partially shadowed. The amount of electrical power dissipated in Y is equal to the product of the module current and the reverse voltage developed across Y. For any irradiance level, when the reverse voltage across Y is equal to the voltage generated by the remaining (s-1) cells in the module, power dissipation is at a maximum when the module is short-circuited. This is shown in Fig. 1 by the shaded rectangle constructed at the intersection of the reverse I-V characteristic of Y with the image of the forward I-V characteristic of the (s-1) cells.
FIG. 1 Hot Spot Effect  
4.5 Bypass diodes, if present, as shown in Fig. 2, begin conducting when a series-connected string in a module is in reverse bias, thereby limiting the power dissipation in the reduced-output cell.  
FIG. 2 Bypass Diode Effect  
Note 2: If the ...
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1.1 This test method provides a procedure to determine the ability of a photovoltaic (PV) module to endure the long-term effects of periodic “hot spot” heating associated with common fault conditions such as severely cracked or mismatched cells, single-point open circuit failures (for example, interconnect failures), partial (or nonuniform) shadowing, or soiling. Such effects typically include solder melting or deterioration of the encapsulation, but in severe cases could progress to combustion of the PV module and surrounding materials.  
1.2 There are two ways that cells can cause a hot spot problem: either by having a high resistance so that there is a large resistance in the circuit, or by having a low resistance area (shunt) such that there is a high current flow in a localized region. This test method selects cells of both types to be stressed.  
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.

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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  
4.4 This practice evaluates the thermal stability of absorber materials. It does not evaluate the moisture stability of absorber materials used in actual solar collectors exposed outdoors. Moisture intrusion into solar collectors is a frequent occurrence in addition to condensation caused by diurnal breathing.  
4.5 This practice differentiates between the testing of spectrally selective absorbers and nonselective absorbers.  
4.5.1 Testing Spectrally Selective...
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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 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 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...
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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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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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