ASTM E3010-15(2019)e1
(Practice)Standard Practice for Installation, Commissioning, Operation, and Maintenance Process (ICOMP) of Photovoltaic Arrays
Standard Practice for Installation, Commissioning, Operation, and Maintenance Process (ICOMP) of Photovoltaic Arrays
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 With the rapid expansion of the commercial photovoltaic market and the various standards and independent certification entities evolving, a consensus standard practice for the ICOMP process is needed to bring consistency to the market.
4.2 Investors and insurance companies need consistency of product and standards to reduce costs of capital and underwriting. Use of a consensus standard practice is expected to improve consistency and reduce risk for investors.
4.3 Photovoltaic systems operate in harsh environments that are not typical for electrical equipment and generally inconsistent with electrical contractor experience. Documented processes are needed to ensure performance and durability of the systems over the long operating life.
4.4 The goal of this practice is to implement processes to improve safety and reliability, reduce lifecycle costs (commonly referred to as Levelized Cost of Energy or LCOE), and encourage the development of feedback loops for continuous improvement of results.
4.5 This practice may be applied during any or all phases of the PV System Lifecycle (refer to Section 5). A record of the activities carried out according to this practice shall be included in the Report (refer to Section 8).
SCOPE
1.1 This practice details the minimum requirements for installation, commissioning, operations, and maintenance processes to ensure safe and reliable power generation for the expected life of the photovoltaic system. Specifically dealing with commercial photovoltaic installations, this practice covers a broad spectrum of designs and applications and is focused on the proper process to ensure quality.
1.2 This practice does not cover the electrical aspects of installation found in existing and national codes and does not replace or supersede details of electrical installation covered by the same. The practice does address the integration of best practices into design and construction.
1.3 This practice shall not dictate specific design criteria or favor any product or technology.
1.4 This practice shall be focused on the proper, documented process required to build and operate a quality PV plant as defined in Section 3.
1.5 Integration of best practices shall be relevant to this standard and promote a mechanism for rapid evolution and reaction to changes or events. Conformity assessment for PV power plants is being developed through the IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Renewable Energy Applications (IECRE System). Sandia Labs has developed several model documents that may be adopted as acceptable consensus standards through other standards development organizations.
1.6 The standard is divided into three key areas:
1.6.1 Design, engineering, and construction of the PV plant. Systems should be designed with operation and maintenance (O&M) in mind. Further standards should be developed for building integrated or building mounted systems, modules with embedded power electronics, lightweight flexible modules, or other specific components.
1.6.2 Commissioning, testing, and approval for power generation (Utility Witness Testing). Standards for owner acceptance will also be addressed.
1.6.3 O&M of the PV plant including performance monitoring, periodic inspection, preventive maintenance, and periodic re-commissioning.
1.7 Safety and hazard considerations unique to this application, such as worker fall protection, electrical exposure, accessibility of modules, and roof clearance (around the perimeter of the array) are addressed by other codes, standards, or authorities having jurisdiction.
1.8 This practice provides guidelines for minimum processes required and must be used in conjunction with applicable codes and standards, government regulations, manufacturer requirements, and best practices.
1.9 This practice is not intended to replace or supersede any other applicable local codes, standards o...
General Information
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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.
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Designation: E3010 − 15 (Reapproved 2019) An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Installation, Commissioning, Operation, and Maintenance
Process (ICOMP) of Photovoltaic Arrays
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3010; 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.
ε NOTE—Fig. X1.1 was updated editorially in July 2021.
1. Scope embedded power electronics, lightweight flexible modules, or
other specific components.
1.1 This practice details the minimum requirements for
1.6.2 Commissioning, testing, and approval for power gen-
installation, commissioning, operations, and maintenance pro-
eration (Utility Witness Testing). Standards for owner accep-
cesses to ensure safe and reliable power generation for the
tance will also be addressed.
expected life of the photovoltaic system. Specifically dealing
1.6.3 O&M of the PV plant including performance
withcommercialphotovoltaicinstallations,thispracticecovers
monitoring, periodic inspection, preventive maintenance, and
a broad spectrum of designs and applications and is focused on
periodic re-commissioning.
the proper process to ensure quality.
1.7 Safety and hazard considerations unique to this
1.2 This practice does not cover the electrical aspects of
application, such as worker fall protection, electrical exposure,
installation found in existing and national codes and does not
accessibility of modules, and roof clearance (around the
replaceorsupersededetailsofelectricalinstallationcoveredby
perimeter of the array) are addressed by other codes, standards,
the same. The practice does address the integration of best
or authorities having jurisdiction.
practices into design and construction.
1.8 This practice provides guidelines for minimum pro-
1.3 This practice shall not dictate specific design criteria or
cesses required and must be used in conjunction with appli-
favor any product or technology.
cable codes and standards, government regulations, manufac-
1.4 This practice shall be focused on the proper, docu-
turer requirements, and best practices.
mentedprocessrequiredtobuildandoperateaqualityPVplant
1.9 This practice is not intended to replace or supersede any
as defined in Section 3.
other applicable local codes, standards or Licensed Design
1.5 Integration of best practices shall be relevant to this
Professional instructions for a given installation.
standard and promote a mechanism for rapid evolution and
1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the
reaction to changes or events. Conformity assessment for PV
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
power plants is being developed through the IEC System for
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
RenewableEnergyApplications(IECRESystem).SandiaLabs
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
has developed several model documents that may be adopted
1.11 This international standard was developed in accor-
as acceptable consensus standards through other standards
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
development organizations.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.6 The standard is divided into three key areas:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.6.1 Design, engineering, and construction of the PVplant.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Systems should be designed with operation and maintenance
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
(O&M) in mind. Further standards should be developed for
2. Referenced Documents
buildingintegratedorbuildingmountedsystems,moduleswith
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E772 Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
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 2015. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E3010-15. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E3010-15R19E01 the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E3010 − 15 (2019)
E2047 Test Method for Wet Insulation Integrity Testing of 2.6 NREL Documents
Photovoltaic Arrays SAPC PV Operations and Maintenance Best Practices
E2848 Test Method for Reporting Photovoltaic Non- Guide: Considerations for Financial Managers and Indus-
Concentrator System Performance try Practitioners”, version 1.0
E2908 Guide for Fire Prevention for Photovoltaic Panels,
2.7 SNL Documents
Modules, and Systems
SAND 2015 - 0587 Precursor Report of Data Needs and
2.2 IEC Standards: Recommended Practices for PV PlantAvailability, Opera-
IEC 61215: Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules – Design tions and Maintenance Reporting
Qualification and Type Approval SAND2014 - 20612 PV Reliability Operations and Mainte-
IEC 61724: PV System Performance Monitoring – Guide- nance (PVROM) Database Initiative: 2014 Progress Re-
lines for Measurement Data Exchange and Analysis port
IEC61829: CrystallineSiliconPVArray–On-siteMeasure-
2.8 SunSpec References
ments of I-V Characteristics
Commissioning Best Practices and Re-Commissioning
IEC/TS 61836: Solar PV Energy Systems – Terms, Defini-
oSPARC – Open Solar Performance and Reliability Clear-
tions and Symbols
inghouse Database
IEC 62446: Grid Connected PV Systems – Minimum Re-
Solar PV Monitoring Best Practice
quirements for System Documentation, Commissioning,
SAPC Standard O&M Contract
and Inspection
IEC/TS 62548: PV Arrays – Design Requirements 3. Terminology
IEC 62738: Design Guidelines and Recommendations for
3.1 In addition to the terms defined in E772, the following
PV Power Plants [5 MW and Greater, Ground Mount]
terms are defined for the purpose of this standard.
IEC62446–2(draftinprogress) MaintenanceofPVSystems
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
IECRE-PV: Conformity Assessment
3.2.1 construction, PVsystem—theprocessofpreparingand
2.3 ANSI Standards
assembling the various components of a PV system, including
ANSI/TUV-R Cleaning Frequency
site preparation, foundations, structural assembly, and installa-
ANSI/TUV-R 71731 Simulated Sand and Dust Tests of
tion of mechanical and electrical equipment.
Photovoltaic (PV) Modules: Part 1 – Soiling Testing for
3.2.2 commissioning, PV system—the process of starting the
Superstrates
operation of a PV system, including verification of construc-
ANSI/TUV-R 71732 Qualification Plus Testing for PV
tion according to design, confirmation of functional
Modules—Test and Sampling Requirements
performance, and transfer of responsibility to the system
2.4 UL Standards
operator.
UL1741 Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnec-
tion System Equipment for Use With Distributed Energy 3.2.3 design, PV System—the information required to con-
struct and operate a PV system.
Resources
UL 4730 Nameplate Tolerance Standard 3.2.3.1 Discussion—Typically prepared by a qualified engi-
neer or design professional, this information may include
2.5 Other Standards
drawings, text documents, calculations, or other forms of
IEEE 1547: Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Re-
documentation. Design includes specifications and configura-
sources with Electric Power Systems
tion for components and materials.
NECA 412-2012: Standard for Installing and Maintaining
PV Power Systems
3.2.4 operation and maintenance (O&M), PV system—
NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, Article 690 procedures to assure functionality of system components and
Solar ABCs – PV System Operations and Maintenance
connections for reliability, safety and fire prevention; monitor-
Fundamentals ing of performance indicators, measures to track and maximize
anticipatedperformance,diagnosticmeasures,troubleshooting,
and documentation.
3.2.4.1 Discussion—This includes controllable or modifi-
able maintenance items that impact system yield, uptime,
Available from International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), 3, rue de
availability, and the ability to operate effectively under existing
Varembé, P.O. Box 131, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iec.ch.
local environmental and climatological conditions, and site-
Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
related activities such as module washing and upkeep of
Available from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), 2600 N.W. Lake Rd., Camas,
vegetation for both performance and safety reasons.
WA 98607-8542, http://www.ul.com.
Available from Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE),
445 Hoes Ln., Piscataway, NJ 08854, http://www.ieee.org.
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Available from National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), 3 Available from National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), 901 D,
Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 1100, Bethesda, MA 20814, http://www.necanet.org. Street, S.W. Suite 930, Washington, DC 20024, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy15osti/
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch 63235.pdf
Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org. Available from Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), energy.sandia.gov
9 12
PDF available from Solar America Board for Codes and Standards (Solar Available from SunSpec Alliance, 4030 Moorpark Ave, Suite 109, San Jose,
ABCs), www.solarabcs.org/about/publications. CA 95117.
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E3010 − 15 (2019)
4. Significance and Use and derating factors used. Such documentation should be
reproducible and compatible with current editions of industry
4.1 With the rapid expansion of the commercial photovol-
standard software. Refer to Appendix X1 for a typical
taic market and the various standards and independent certifi-
example of the report generated from a common software
cation entities evolving, a consensus standard practice for the
package.
ICOMP process is needed to bring consistency to the market.
6.1.3 A strategy for mitigation of lost production should be
4.2 Investors and insurance companies need consistency of
documented.
product and standards to reduce costs of capital and underwrit-
6.1.4 The design shall incorporate best practices to facilitate
ing. Use of a consensus standard practice is expected to
the operation and maintenance of the plant over its expected
improve consistency and reduce risk for investors.
life time. Accessibility of all equipment shall be ensured, and
O&M procedures shall be clearly documented.
4.3 Photovoltaic systems operate in harsh environments that
are not typical for electrical equipment and generally incon- 6.1.5 There should be a documented review of safety and
construction processes.
sistent with electrical contractor experience. Documented pro-
cesses are needed to ensure performance and durability of the
6.2 Construction—There shall be a documented process for
systems over the long operating life.
construction to ensure quality.
6.2.1 Thedocumentedqualityprocessforconstructionwork
4.4 The goal of this practice is to implement processes to
improve safety and reliability, reduce lifecycle costs (com- shall consider environment, roof, soils, and other factors, and it
shall include the following:
monly referred to as Levelized Cost of Energy or LCOE), and
encourage the development of feedback loops for continuous 6.2.1.1 Vegetation control plan designed to ensure proper
operation throughout the system lifecycle,
improvement of results.
6.2.1.2 Site water flow plan—roof and ground,
4.5 This practice may be applied during any or all phases of
6.2.1.3 Plan for inspection, testing, and documentation of
the PV System Lifecycle (refer to Section 5). A record of the
materials delivered to the construction site,
activities carried out according to this practice shall be in-
6.2.1.4 Material handling plan and spares plan,
cluded in the Report (refer to Section 8).
6.2.1.5 Plan for replacement of parts,
6.2.1.6 Fire access and training,
5. PV System Lifecycle
6.2.1.7 Siting and access of meteorological station or
5.1 The lifecycle of a PV system can be divided into the
SCADA equipment (for systems larger than 5 MW), or both,
following stages and areas of emphasis. These terms are used
6.2.1.8 Plan and inspection process for ensuring that con-
in the following section to identify the applicable requirements
ductorsarefreefromstrainorabrasion,andallowedtoflexdue
at each stage of the system lifecycle:
to thermal expansion,
5.1.1 Design
6.2.1.9 Installation of raceways and fixtures for thermal
5.1.1.1 Reliability
expansion,
5.1.1.2 Measurability
6.2.1.10 Plan and accessibility for torque maintenance in-
5.1.1.3 Safety
cluding appropriate anti-seize provisions and conformance to
5.1.2 Risk Mitigation
manufacturers’ recommended torque specifications,
5.1.2.1 Financing
6.2.1.11 Documented verification process to ensure correct
5.1.2.2 Insurance
polarity of all electrical components and connecting cables,
5.1.3 Construction
6.2.1.12 Installation of all equipment in accordance with
5.1.3.1 Best practices
manufacturers’ recommendations,
5.1.3.2 Risk mitigation
6.2.1.13 Protection of surfaces to ensure long term perfor-
5.1.4 Commissioning
mance of roofs (especially membrane type), and
5.1.4.1 Design compliance
6.2.1.14 AccessforserviceofthePVplantandanyadjacent
5.1.4.2 Performance verification
equipment.
5.1.5 Operation and Maintenance
6.3 Commissioning—The commissioning of a PV system
5.1.5.1 Performance monitoring
shall include, as a minimum, the following activities:
5.1.5.2 Operations
6.3.1 For systems larger than 5 MW, validation and certifi-
5.1.5.3 Maintenance
cation of system performance (power output), based on perfor-
5.1.6 Transaction Process
mance modeling developed in the design process,
5.1.6.1 Ownership transfer
6.3.2 Documented quality testing for safety and perfor-
6. Process Requirements
mance consistent with best practices, including:
6.3.2.1 IEC 62
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