ASTM E1799-12(2018)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Visual Inspections of Photovoltaic Modules
Standard Practice for Visual Inspections of Photovoltaic Modules
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Environmental stress tests, such as those listed in 1.2, are normally used to evaluate module designs prior to production or purchase. These test methods rely on performing electrical tests and visual inspections of modules before and after stress testing to determine the effects of the exposures.
4.2 Effects of environmental stress testing may vary from no effects to significant changes. Some physical changes in the module may be visible when there are no measurable electrical changes. Similarly, electrical changes in the module may occur with no visible changes.
4.3 It is the intent of this practice to provide a recognized procedure for performing visual inspections and to specify effects that should be reported.
4.4 Many of these effects are subjective. In order to determine if a module has passed a visual inspection, the user of this practice must specify what changes or conditions are acceptable. The user may have to judge whether changes noted during an inspection will limit the useful life of a module design.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures and criteria for visual inspections of photovoltaic modules.
1.2 Visual inspections of photovoltaic modules are normally performed before and after modules have been subjected to environmental, electrical, or mechanical stress testing, such as thermal cycling, humidity-freeze cycling, damp heat exposure, ultraviolet exposure, mechanical loading, hail impact testing, outdoor exposure, or other stress testing that may be part of photovoltaic module testing sequence.
1.3 This practice does not establish pass or fail levels. The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is beyond the scope of this practice.
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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Designation: E1799 − 12 (Reapproved 2018) An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Visual Inspections of Photovoltaic Modules
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1799; 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 4. Significance and Use
1.1 This practice covers procedures and criteria for visual 4.1 Environmental stress tests, such as those listed in 1.2,
inspections of photovoltaic modules. are normally used to evaluate module designs prior to produc-
tion or purchase. These test methods rely on performing
1.2 Visual inspections of photovoltaic modules are normally
electrical tests and visual inspections of modules before and
performed before and after modules have been subjected to
after stress testing to determine the effects of the exposures.
environmental, electrical, or mechanical stress testing, such as
thermal cycling, humidity-freeze cycling, damp heat exposure, 4.2 Effects of environmental stress testing may vary from no
ultraviolet exposure, mechanical loading, hail impact testing, effects to significant changes. Some physical changes in the
outdoor exposure, or other stress testing that may be part of module may be visible when there are no measurable electrical
photovoltaic module testing sequence. changes. Similarly, electrical changes in the module may occur
with no visible changes.
1.3 This practice does not establish pass or fail levels. The
determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is beyond 4.3 It is the intent of this practice to provide a recognized
the scope of this practice. procedure for performing visual inspections and to specify
effects that should be reported.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.4 Many of these effects are subjective. In order to deter-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
mine if a module has passed a visual inspection, the user of this
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
practice must specify what changes or conditions are accept-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
able. The user may have to judge whether changes noted during
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
an inspection will limit the useful life of a module design.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
5. Procedure
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5.1 Pre-Test Inspection—Inspections performed prior to any
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
environmental stress tests must document the module condition
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
so that any changes that occur during testing can be identified
during the post-test inspection.
2. Referenced Documents
5.1.1 Visually inspect each module to determine the pres-
ence or absence of anomalies or defects. Optical magnification
2.1 ASTM Standards:
is not required. Such anomalies or defects should include, but
E772 Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
are not limited to:
5.1.1.1 Shipping damage,
3. Terminology
5.1.1.2 Poor workmanship,
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this practice
5.1.1.3 Defects in mounting brackets or structures,
may be found in Terminology E772.
5.1.1.4 Cracking, shrinkage, distortion, or tacky surfaces of
polymeric materials,
5.1.1.5 Failure of adhesive bonding,
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar, 5.1.1.6 Bubbles or delamination of encapsulant materials,
Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources and is the direct responsibility of
5.1.1.7 Presence of foreign material,
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion.
5.1.1.8 Corrosion of fasteners, mechanical members, or
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1799 − 12 E1799 − 12 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Practice for
Visual Inspections of Photovoltaic Modules
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1799; 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
1.1 This practice covers procedures and criteria for visual inspections of photovoltaic modules.
1.2 Visual inspections of photovoltaic modules are normally performed before and after modules have been subjected to
environmental, electrical, or mechanical stress testing, such as thermal cycling, humidity-freeze cycling, damp heat exposure,
ultraviolet exposure, mechanical loading, hail impact testing, outdoor exposure, or other stress testing that may be part of
photovoltaic module testing sequence.
1.3 This practice does not establish pass or fail levels. The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is beyond the
scope of this practice.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E772 Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this practice may be found in Terminology E772.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Environmental stress tests, such as those listed in 1.2, are normally used to evaluate module designs prior to production or
purchase. These test methods rely on performing electrical tests and visual inspections of modules before and after stress testing
to determine the effects of the exposures.
4.2 Effects of environmental stress testing may vary from no effects to significant changes. Some physical changes in the
module may be visible when there are no measurable electrical changes. Similarly, electrical changes in the module may occur with
no visible changes.
4.3 It is the intent of this practice to provide a recognized procedure for performing visual inspections and to specify effects that
should be reported.
4.4 Many of these effects are subjective. In order to determine if a module has passed a visual inspection, the user of this practice
must specify what changes or conditions are acceptable. The user may have to judge whether changes noted during an inspection
will limit the useful life of a module design.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar, Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2012May 1, 2018. Published December 2012May 2018. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20082012 as
E1799–08.–12. DOI: 10.1520/E1799-12.10.1520/E1799-12R18.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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E1799 − 12 (2018)
5. Procedure
5.1 Pre-Test Inspection—Inspect
...
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