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ASTM E2527-15(2019)

(Test Method)

Standard Test Method for Electrical Performance of Concentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Systems Under Natural Sunlight

Standard Test Method for Electrical Performance of Concentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Systems Under Natural Sunlight

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 It is the intent of this test method to provide a recognized procedure for testing and reporting the electrical performance of a photovoltaic concentrator module or system.  
5.2 If an inverter is used as part of the system, this test method can provide a dc or ac rating or both. The dc or ac rating depends on whether the inverter input or output is monitored.  
5.3 The test results may be used for comparison among a group of modules or systems from a single source. They also may be used to compare diverse designs, such as products from different manufacturers. Repeated measurements of the same module or system may be used for the study of changes in device performance over a long period of time or as a result of stress testing.  
5.4 The test method is limited to modules and systems where the concentrated irradiance on the component cells is greater than 5000 Wm-2 at Eo. This limitation is necessary because the total irradiance is measured with a radiometer with a field of view less than 6° and because the correlation between the direct irradiance and the power produced decreases with increasing concentrator field of view.  
5.5 This test method assumes that the regression equation accurately predicts the concentrator performance as a function of total irradiance with a fixed spectral irradiance, wind speed, and air temperature. The spectral distribution will be seasonal and site specific because of optical air mass, water vapor, aerosols, and other meteorological variables.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the electrical performance of photovoltaic concentrator modules and systems under natural sunlight using a normal incidence pyrheliometer.  
1.2 The test method is limited to module assemblies and systems where the geometric concentration ratio specified by the manufacturer is greater than 5.  
1.3 This test method applies to concentrators that use passive cooling where the cell temperature is related to the air temperature.  
1.4 Measurements under a variety of conditions are allowed; results are reported under a select set of concentrator reporting conditions to facilitate comparison of results.  
1.5 This test method applies only to concentrator terrestrial modules and systems.  
1.6 This test method assumes that the module or system electrical performance characteristics do not change during the period of test.  
1.7 The performance rating determined by this test method applies only at the period of the test, and implies no past or future performance level.  
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 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
Current Stage
Ref Project

Relations

Replaces
ASTM E2527-15 - Standard Test Method for Electrical Performance of Concentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Systems Under Natural Sunlight
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 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 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 E816-05(2010) - Standard Test Method for Calibration of Pyrheliometers by Comparison to Reference Pyrheliometers
Effective Date
01-Dec-2010
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 D6176-97(2008) - Standard Practice for Measuring Surface Atmospheric Temperature with Electrical Resistance Temperature Sensors
Effective Date
01-Oct-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 E816-05 - Standard Test Method for Calibration of Pyrheliometers by Comparison to Reference Pyrheliometers
Effective Date
01-Oct-2005
Refers
ASTM E772-05 - Standard Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
Effective Date
01-Apr-2005
Refers
ASTM D6176-97(2003) - Standard Practice for Measuring Surface Atmospheric Temperature with Electrical Resistance Temperature Sensors
Effective Date
01-Oct-2003
Refers
ASTM E1036-02 - Standard Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Nonconcentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays Using Reference Cells
Effective Date
10-Oct-2002
Refers
ASTM E816-95(2002) - Standard Test Method for Calibration of Pyrheliometers by Comparison to Reference Pyrheliometers
Effective Date
15-Apr-1995

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ASTM E2527-15(2019) - Standard Test Method for Electrical Performance of Concentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Systems Under Natural SunlightASTM E2527-15(2019) - Standard Test Method for Electrical Performance of Concentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Systems Under Natural Sunlight
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ASTM E2527-15(2019) - Standard Test Method for Electrical Performance of Concentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Systems Under Natural Sunlight
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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: E2527 − 15 (Reapproved 2019) An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Electrical Performance of Concentrator Terrestrial
Photovoltaic Modules and Systems Under Natural Sunlight
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2527; 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 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the elec- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
trical performance of photovoltaic concentrator modules and D6176 Practice for Measuring Surface Atmospheric Tem-
systems under natural sunlight using a normal incidence perature with Electrical Resistance Temperature Sensors
pyrheliometer. E772 Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
E816 Test Method for Calibration of Pyrheliometers by
1.2 The test method is limited to module assemblies and
Comparison to Reference Pyrheliometers
systems where the geometric concentration ratio specified by
E1036 Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Noncon-
the manufacturer is greater than 5.
centrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays
1.3 This test method applies to concentrators that use
Using Reference Cells
passive cooling where the cell temperature is related to the air
2.2 IEEE Standard:
temperature.
IEEE 929-2000 Recommended Practice for Utility Interface
1.4 Measurements under a variety of conditions are al-
of Photovoltaic (PV) Power Systems
lowed; results are reported under a select set of concentrator
3. Terminology
reporting conditions to facilitate comparison of results.
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this test
1.5 This test method applies only to concentrator terrestrial
method may be found in Terminology E772, and IEEE
modules and systems.
Standard 929.
1.6 This test method assumes that the module or system
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
electrical performance characteristics do not change during the
3.2.1 Concentrator Reporting Conditions, n—the ambient
period of test.
temperature, wind speed, and direct normal solar irradiance to
1.7 The performance rating determined by this test method
which concentrator module or system performance data are
applies only at the period of the test, and implies no past or
corrected.
future performance level.
3.2.2 system, n—a photovoltaic module or array connected
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
to an inverter.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.3 Symbols:The following symbols and units are used in
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
this test method:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
-2
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
E = direct normal irradiance, Wm
-2
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
E = reporting direct normal irradiance of 850 Wm
o
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
P = maximum power, W
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the P = maximum power at concentrator reporting conditions
o
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
(E , T , and V ), W
o o o
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical T = ambient temperature, °C
a
T = reporting ambient temperature of 20°C
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
o
-1
v = wind speed, ms
-1
v = reporting wind speed of 4 ms
o
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar,
Geothermal and OtherAlternative Energy Sources and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2019. Published April 2019. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E2527-15. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E2527-15R19. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2527 − 15 (2019)
4. Summary of Test Method dence angle, the manufacturer’s specifications should be fol-
lowed. Concentrator systems shall be tested as installed.
4.1 Determining the performance of a photovoltaic module
or system under natural sunlight consists of measuring the
6.2 Air Temperature Measurement Equipment—The instru-
maximum power over a range of irradiance and air tempera-
ment or instruments used to measure the temperature of the air
ture.
shall have a resolution of at least 0.1°C, and shall have a total
error of less than 61°C of reading. The instrument sensor
4.2 Amultiplelinearregressionisusedtoratethemaximum
should be between 1 and 10 m upwind from the geometrical
power at standard concentrator reporting conditions, defined
-1 -2
center of the receiver and be mounted at least 2 m above the
as T = 20°C, v =4ms , E = 850 Wm .
o o o
-2
ground. Further details on air temperature measurements can
4.2.1 A direct normal irradiance of 850 Wm was selected
be found in Practice D6176.
fromaresourceassessmentstudy thatshowedwhentheglobal
-2
normal solar irradiance is near the 1000 Wm used in rating
6.3 Irradiance Measurement Equipment—A secondary ref-
flat-plate photovoltaic modules, the direct normal irradiance is
erence pyrheliometer calibrated according to Test Method
-2
about 850 Wm .
E816.
4.3 The actual test data and the performance results are then
6.4 Wind Speed Measurement Equipment—The instrument
reported.
used to measure the wind speed should have an uncertainty of
-1
less than 0.5 ms . The instrument should be between 1 and 10
5. Significance and Use
m away from the nearest edge of the receiver and be mounted
5.1 It is the intent of this test method to provide a recog-
atleast2mabovetheground.Ideally,theinstrumentshouldbe
nized procedure for testing and reporting the electrical perfor-
at the center height of the receiver and located in the direction
mance of a photovoltaic concentrator module or system.
of the prevailing wind. Care should be taken that the instru-
ment readings are not affected by the test fixture or nearby
5.2 If an inverter is used as part of the system, this test
obstacles.
method can provide a dc or ac rating or both. The dc or ac
rating depends on whether the inverter input or output is
6.5 Power Measurement Equipment—Examples of accept-
monitored.
able instrumentation to measure the output power of the
module or system under test include:
5.3 The test results may be used for comparison among a
group of modules or systems from a single source. They also
6.5.1 Current-voltage measurement instrumentation re-
maybeusedtocomparediversedesigns,suchasproductsfrom
quired by Test Methods E1036,
different manufacturers. Repeated measurements of the same
6.5.2 ac or dc current and voltage measurement
module or system may be used for the study of changes in
instrumentation, and
device performance over a long period of time or as a result o
...

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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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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
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
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
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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