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ASTM E3325-21

(Practice)

Standard Practice for Sampling of Solar Photovoltaic Modules for Toxicity Testing

Standard Practice for Sampling of Solar Photovoltaic Modules for Toxicity Testing

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
6.1 The primary goal of this practice is to extract representative samples from PV modules for TCLP toxicity testing purposes in order to receive unbiased, comparable and repeatable toxicity test results from independent TCLP testing laboratories.  
6.2 Solar photovoltaic (PV) modules in the United States and the world reaching end-of-life due to failure, underperformance or breakage due to extreme weather have to be recycled or otherwise safely disposed of following the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulation [United States, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Pub.L. 94–580, October 1976]. For end-of-life PV modules, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 1311 (TCLP) is used for waste characterization based on leaching potential under simulated landfill conditions.  
6.3 Commercial PV modules contain compounds and alloys of various metals (for example, Ag, Al, Cd, Cu, Ga, In, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, Te, Zn) which are used in semiconductor compounds and electrical contacts.5 Modules that pass the EPA Method 1311 TCLP test, and state protocols (if applicable), can be disposed of in a regular landfill. Otherwise, they are classified as hazardous waste and must go through a more onerous and expensive disposal process. Currently, there is no national or international standard, nor a standardized protocol available for removal of test samples from PV modules for toxicity testing per the EPA Method 1311 standard.  
6.4 The validity of the toxicity test results heavily depends on the location of extracted samples in the module, specifically within the laminate area, and the particle size of the extracted samples. Therefore, it is critical that the sample extraction procedure be properly designed to avoid biased or otherwise inaccurate toxicity test results.  
6.5 The development and application of a homogeneous and representative sampling standard will help utilities and manufacturers to limit the number of variables and to obtain repeatable...
SCOPE
1.1 The purpose of this practice is to describe a representative and repeatable sample preparation methodology to conduct toxicity testing on solar photovoltaic (PV) modules for use with EPA Test Method 1311: Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP).  
1.2 This practice refers to the extraction and preparation of PV module samples by EPA Method 1311, the testing for eight (8) distinct metals – mercury (by Method 7470A), arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, selenium and silver (by Method 6010C) as well as the analysis and interpretation of the test results on a module level.  
1.3 This practice applies to only (1) standard crystalline silicon (c-Si) modules, multi and mono-crystalline silicon with aluminum back surface field (Al-BSF) cell technology and (2) cadmium telluride (CdTe) PV modules.  
1.4 Other and newer PV technologies and module architectures, for example, passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC), interdigitated back contact (IBC), hetero-junction technology (HJT), multiwire, half cut, shingled etc., have not been evaluated with this practice, although the concept and practice can be easily extended and applied to other technologies following the conceptual approach presented in this document.  
1.5 The sample extraction/removal methodology applied in this practice is the waterjet cutting sampling method. Sample extraction with mechanical cutting has been extensively evaluated but the variability of TCLP test results based on the mechanical cut samples tend to be much higher (30 %) than that of the waterjet cut samples (8 %).2 Therefore, the mechanical cut method is not presented in this practice.  
1.6 Only the laminate area of the PV module is considered for TCLP testing, as other possible module parts, such as aluminum frame, junction box and cables contain recyclable materials that are already well-documented and are not specific to the PV modules.  
1.7 The material gravimetric density...

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
31-Oct-2021
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

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ASTM E3325-21 - Standard Practice for Sampling of Solar Photovoltaic Modules for Toxicity TestingASTM E3325-21 - Standard Practice for Sampling of Solar Photovoltaic Modules for Toxicity Testing
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ASTM E3325-21 - Standard Practice for Sampling of Solar Photovoltaic Modules for Toxicity Testing
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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: E3325 − 21 An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Sampling of Solar Photovoltaic Modules for Toxicity
1
Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3325; 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 aluminum frame, junction box and cables contain recyclable
materialsthatarealreadywell-documentedandarenotspecific
1.1 The purpose of this practice is to describe a representa-
to the PV modules.
tiveandrepeatablesamplepreparationmethodologytoconduct
3
toxicity testing on solar photovoltaic (PV) modules for use
1.7 Thematerialgravimetricdensity(g/cm )throughoutthe
with EPATest Method 1311: Toxicity Characteristic Leaching laminate area is considered constant.
Procedure (TCLP).
1.8 This practice was developed to be consistent with three
1.2 This practice refers to the extraction and preparation of fundamental requirements:
PVmodule samples by EPAMethod 1311, the testing for eight
1.8.1 Sample pieces with particle size not to exceed the
(8) distinct metals – mercury (by Method 7470A), arsenic,
allowed size limit of EPA 1311 standard which is 9.5 mm,
barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, selenium and silver (by
1.8.2 The particle size used in this practice as sample piece
Method6010C)aswellastheanalysisandinterpretationofthe
is consistent with the median particle size expected in landfill
2
test results on a module level.
disposal , and
1.8.3 An assumption that each laminate sample piece will
1.3 This practice applies to only (1) standard crystalline
result in 100 % glass coverage area, due to the presence of
silicon (c-Si) modules, multi and mono-crystalline silicon with
bonding encapsulant layers once it is broken in the landfill.
aluminum back surface field (Al-BSF) cell technology and (2)
cadmium telluride (CdTe) PV modules.
1.9 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
1.4 Other and newer PV technologies and module
standard.
architectures, for example, passivated emitter and rear cell
(PERC), interdigitated back contact (IBC), hetero-junction
1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the
technology (HJT), multiwire, half cut, shingled etc., have not
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
been evaluated with this practice, although the concept and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
practice can be easily extended and applied to other technolo-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
gies following the conceptual approach presented in this
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
document.
1.11 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.5 The sample extraction/removal methodology applied in
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
this practice is the waterjet cutting sampling method. Sample
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
extraction with mechanical cutting has been extensively evalu-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ated but the variability of TCLP test results based on the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
mechanical cut samples tend to be much higher (30 %) than
2
that of the waterjet cut samples (8 %). Therefore, the
2. Referenced Documents
mechanical cut method is not presented in this practice.
3
1.6 Only the laminate area of the PV module is considered
2.1 ASTM Standard:
for TCLP testing, as other possible module parts, such as
D4538Terminology Relating to Protective Coating and
Lining Work for Power Generation Facilities
E772Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar,
GeothermalandOtherAlternativeEnergySourcesandisthedirectresponsibilityof
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2021. Published December 2021. DOI:
3
10.1520/E3325-21. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
2
TamizhMani, G., Libby, C., Shaw, S., Krishnamurthy, R., Leslie, J.,Yadav, R., contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Tatapudi S., and Bicer, B. “Evaluating PV Module Sample Removal Methods for Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
TCLP Testing,” IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conferenc
...

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1.1 This test method provides measurement and analysis procedures for determining the capacity of a specific photovoltaic system built in a particular place and in operation under natural sunlight.  
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1.7 This guide does not cover disposal of modules damaged by a fire, or other material hazards related to such modules.  
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ASTM E1799-12(2023)(Practice)
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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.  
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SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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  
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  
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SCOPE
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.  
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ASTM E2939-13(2023)(Practice)
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5.1 This practice can be used to determine an expected capacity for an existing or a proposed photovoltaic system in a particular location during a specified period of time (see data collection period in Test Method E2848).  
5.2 The expected capacity calculated in accordance with this practice can be compared with the capacity measured according to Test Method E2848 when the RC are the same.  
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5.4 The user of this practice must select the performance simulation period over which the reporting conditions and expected capacity will be derived. Seasonal variations will likely cause both of these to change with differing performance simulation periods.  
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5.6 Historical or measured5 plane-of-array irradiance, ambient air temperature, and wind speed data can be used to select reporting conditions and calculate expected capacity. If historical data are used, the data collection period should match the time period of the measured data in terms of season and length.  
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SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides procedures for determining the expected capacity of a specific photovoltaic system in a specific geographical location that is in operation under natural sunlight during a specified period of time. The expected capacity is intended for comparison with the measured capacity determined by Test Method E2848.  
1.2 This practice is intended for use with Test Method E2848 as a procedure to select appropriate reporting conditions (RC), including solar irradiance in the plane of the modules, ambient temperature, and wind speed needed for the photovoltaic system capacity measurement.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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 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
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 E744-07(2022)(Practice)
Standard Practice for Evaluating Solar Absorptive Materials for Thermal Applications

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The methods in this practice are intended to aid in the assessment of long-term performance by comparative testing of absorptive materials. The results of the methods, however, have not been shown to correlate to actual in-service performance.  
4.2 The testing methodology in this practice provides two testing methods, in accordance with Fig. 1.
FIG. 1 Outline of Test Method Options  
4.2.1 Method A, which aims at decreasing the time required for evaluation, uses a series of individual tests to simulate various exposure conditions.  
4.2.2 Method B utilizes a single test of actual outdoor exposure under conditions simulating thermal stagnation.  
4.2.3 Equivalency of the two methods has not yet been established.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers a testing methodology for evaluating absorptive materials used in flat plate or concentrating collectors, with concentrating ratios not to exceed five, for solar thermal applications. This practice is not intended to be used for the evaluation of absorptive surfaces that are (1) used in direct contact with, or suspended in, a heat-transfer liquid, (that is, trickle collectors, direct absorption fluids, etc.); (2) used in evacuated collectors; or (3) used in collectors without cover plate(s).  
1.2 Test methods included in this practice are property measurement tests and aging tests. Property measurement tests provide for the determination of various properties of absorptive materials, for example, absorptance, emittance, and appearance. Aging tests provide for exposure of absorptive materials to environments that may induce changes in the properties of test specimens. Measuring properties before and after an aging test provides a means of determining the effect of the exposure.  
1.3 The assumption is made that solar radiation, elevated temperature, temperature cycles, and moisture are the primary factors that cause degradation of absorptive materials. Aging tests are described for exposure of specimens to these factors.  
Note 1: For some geographic locations, other factors, such as salt spray and dust erosion, may be important. They are not evaluated by this practice.  
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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