ASTM E1171-15
(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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: E1171 − 15 An American National Standard
Standard Test Methods for
Photovoltaic Modules in Cyclic Temperature and Humidity
1
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
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
3
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-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
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.
3
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2015. Published March 2015. Originally Available from International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), 3 rue de
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E1171–09. DOI: Varembé, Case postale 131, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iec.ch.
10.1520/E1171-15.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1171 − 15
varying amounts of moisture in the air. These test methods 5.2.3 Provisions for monitoring and recording the chamber
provide proced
...
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: E1171 − 09 E1171 − 15
Standard Test Methods for
Photovoltaic Modules in Cyclic Temperature and Humidity
1
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. 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 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E772 Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
E1036 Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Nonconcentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays Using
Reference Cells
3
E1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion (Withdrawn 2012)
E1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
E1799 Practice for Visual Inspections of Photovoltaic Modules
3
2.2 IEC Standards:
IEC 61215 Crystalline Silicon Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules — Design Qualification and Type Approval
IEC 61646 Thin-Film Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules — Design Qualification and Type Approval
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar, Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources and are the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion.
Current edition approved April 1, 2009Feb. 1, 2015. Published April 2009March 2015. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20042009 as
E1171 – 04.E1171 – 09. DOI: 10.1520/E1171-09.10.1520/E1171-15.
2
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
Standardsvolume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), 3 rue de Varembé, Case postale 131, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iec.ch.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1171 − 15
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this standard may be found in Terminology E772 and in Terminology 1. E1328.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 module ground point, n—the terminal or lead identified by the manufacturer as the grounding point of the module.
4. 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 te
...
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