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ASTM E1171-15(2019)

(Test Method)

Standard Test Methods for Photovoltaic Modules in Cyclic Temperature and Humidity Environments

Standard Test Methods for Photovoltaic Modules in Cyclic Temperature and Humidity Environments

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The useful life of photovoltaic modules may depend on their ability to withstand repeated temperature cycling with varying amounts of moisture in the air. These test methods provide procedures for simulating the effects of cyclic temperature and humidity environments. An extended duration damp heat procedure is provided to simulate the effects of long term exposure to high humidity.  
4.2 The durations of the individual environmental tests are specified by use of this test method; however, commonly used durations are 50 and 200 thermal cycles, 10 humidity-freeze cycles, and 1000 h of damp heat exposure, as specified by module qualification standards such as IEC 61215 and IEC 61646. Longer durations can also be specified for extended duration module stress testing.  
4.3 Mounting—Test modules are mounted so that they are electrically isolated from each other, and in such a manner to allow free air circulation around the front and back surfaces of the modules.  
4.4 Current Biasing:  
4.4.1 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 reporting conditions (SRC, see Test Methods E1036) flowing through the module circuitry.  
4.4.2 The current biasing is intended to stress the module interconnections and solder bonds in ways similar to those that are believed to be responsible for fill-factor degradation in field-deployed modules.  
4.5 Effects of Test Procedures—Data generated using these test methods may be used to evaluate and compare the effects of simulated environment on test specimens. These test methods require determination of both visible effects and electrical performance effects.  
4.5.1 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...
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 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.9 This international standard was developed in accordance with internati...

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
Current Stage
Ref Project

Relations

Replaces
ASTM E1171-15 - Standard Test Methods for Photovoltaic Modules in Cyclic Temperature and Humidity Environments
Effective Date
01-Apr-2019
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 E1462-12(2018) - Standard Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
Effective Date
01-Feb-2018
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 E772-13 - Standard Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
Effective Date
01-Sep-2013
Refers
ASTM E1799-12 - Standard Practice for Visual Inspections of Photovoltaic Modules
Effective Date
01-Dec-2012
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 E1462-12 - Standard Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
Effective Date
01-Mar-2012
Refers
ASTM E772-11 - Standard Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
Effective Date
01-Sep-2011
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 E1799-08 - Standard Practice for Visual Inspections of Photovoltaic Modules
Effective Date
01-Apr-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 E1462-00(2006) - Standard Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
Effective Date
01-Mar-2006
Refers
ASTM E772-05 - Standard Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
Effective Date
01-Apr-2005
Refers
ASTM E1799-02 - Standard Practice for Visual Inspections of Photovoltaic Modules
Effective Date
10-Oct-2002

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ASTM E1171-15(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Photovoltaic Modules in Cyclic Temperature and Humidity EnvironmentsASTM E1171-15(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Photovoltaic Modules in Cyclic Temperature and Humidity Environments
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ASTM E1171-15(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Photovoltaic Modules in Cyclic Temperature and Humidity Environments
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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: E1171 − 15 (Reapproved 2019) An American National Standard
Standard Test Methods for
Photovoltaic Modules in Cyclic Temperature and Humidity
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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 These test methods provide procedures for stressing
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
photovoltaic modules in simulated temperature and humidity
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
environments. Environmental testing is used to simulate aging
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
of module materials on an accelerated basis.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.2 Three individual environmental test procedures are de-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
fined by these test methods: a thermal cycling procedure, a
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
humidity-freeze cycling procedure, and an extended duration
damp heat procedure. Electrical biasing is utilized during the
2. Referenced Documents
thermal cycling procedure to simulate stresses that are known
2.1 ASTM Standards:
to occur in field-deployed modules.
E772Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
1.3 These test methods define mounting methods for mod-
E1036Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Noncon-
ules undergoing environmental testing, and specify parameters
centrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays
that must be recorded and reported.
Using Reference Cells
E1462Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground
1.4 These test methods do not establish pass or fail levels.
Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is
E1799Practice for Visual Inspections of Photovoltaic Mod-
beyond the scope of these test methods.
ules
1.5 Any of the individual environmental tests may be
2.2 IEC Standards:
performed singly, or may be combined into a test sequence
IEC 61215Crystalline Silicon Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV)
with other environmental or non-environmental tests, or both.
Modules — Design Qualification and Type Approval
Certain pre-conditioning tests such as annealing or light
IEC61646Thin-FilmTerrestrialPhotovoltaic(PV)Modules
soaking may also be necessary or desirable as part of such a
— Design Qualification and Type Approval
sequence. The determination of any such sequencing and
pre-conditioning is beyond the scope of this test method.
3. Terminology
1.6 These test procedures are limited in duration and there-
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this standard
fore the results of these tests cannot be used to determine
may be found in Terminology E7721.
photovoltaic module lifetimes.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 3.2.1 module ground point, n—the terminal or lead identi-
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this fied by the manufacturer as the grounding point of the module.
standard.
4. Significance and Use
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 The useful life of photovoltaic modules may depend on
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
their ability to withstand repeated temperature cycling with
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Solar, Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources and are the direct Standardsvolume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
responsibility of Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion. the ASTM website.
Current edition approved April 1, 2019. Published April 2019. Originally Available from International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), 3 rue de
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E1171–15. DOI: Varembé, Case postale 131, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iec.ch.
10.1520/E1171-15R19.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1171 − 15 (2019)
varying amounts of moisture in the air. These test methods 5.2.3 Provisions for monitoring and recording the chamber
provide procedures for simulating the effects of cyclic tem- temperature and relative humidity throughout the environmen-
perature and humidity environments. An extended duration tal testing shall be provided.
dampheatprocedureisprovidedtosimulatetheeffectsoflong
5.3 Temperature Measurement Equipment—An instrument
term exposure to high humidity.
or instruments used to measure module temperature during the
4.2 The durations of the individual environmental tests are environmental testing with a resolution of at least 0.1 °C, and
specified by use of this test method; however, commonly used a total error of less than 62 °C of reading.
durations are 50 and 200 thermal cycles, 10 humidity-freeze 5.3.1 Temperature sensors suitable for the test temperature
cycles, and 1000 h of damp heat exposure, as specified by range, such as thermocouples or thermistors, shall be attached
module qualification standards such as IEC 61215 and IEC to the portions of the modules likely to exhibit the longest
61646. Longer durations can also be specified for extended thermal time constant. For flat-plate modules, attach the
duration module stress testing.
sensors near the middle of the front or back surfaces of the
modules.
4.3 Mounting—Test modules are mounted so that they are
5.3.2 If more than one module of identical design and
electrically isolated from each other, and in such a manner to
construction is tested simultaneously, it is not necessary to
allow free air circulation around the front and back surfaces of
monitor the temperature of all identical modules.
the modules.
5.4 Test Frame—Aframeinsidetheenvironmentalchamber
4.4 Current Biasing:
which supports the test modules during the test procedures.
4.4.1 During the thermal cycling procedure, test modules
5.4.1 Itisnotrequiredtomountthetestmodulesatanangle
are operated without illumination and with a forward-bias
such as when modules are installed as part of an array; they
current equal to the maximum power point current at standard
may be mounted vertically to facilitate testing multiple mod-
reporting conditions (SRC, see Test Methods E1036) flowing
ules inside the environmental chamber.
through the module circuitry.
5.4.2 The test modules shall be mounted in a manner that
4.4.2 The current biasing is intended to stress the module
allows free air circulation around the modules.
interconnectionsandsolderbondsinwayssimilartothosethat
5.4.3 The test frame should be constructed such that corro-
are believed to be responsible for fill-factor degradation in
sionofthetestframeduringtheenvironmentaltestingdoesnot
field-deployed modules.
adversely affect the test modules.
4.5 Effects of Test Procedures—Data generated using these
5.5 Current-Biasing Power Supply—A dc power supply
test methods may be used to evaluate and compare the effects
capable of operating a test module at a point on the dark
of simulated environment on test specimens. These test meth-
forward current-voltage curve equal to the maximum power
ods require determination of both visible effects and electrical
current at SRC during the thermal cycling procedure.
performance effects.
5.5.1 Provisionsmustbemadeforremovingthecurrentbias
4.5.1 Effects on modules may vary from none to significant
when the module temperature is less than 20 °C.
changes. Some physical changes in the module may be visible
5.5.2 Thecurrentbiasingpowersupplyshouldbecapableof
when there are no apparent electrical changes in the module.
setting a voltage compliance limit equal to 1.25 times the
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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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4.4 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  
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FIG. 2 Bypass Diode Effect  
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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.  
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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
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...
SCOPE
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...
SCOPE
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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