Standard Test Method for Reporting Photovoltaic Non-Concentrator System Performance

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Because there are a number of choices in this test method that depend on different applications and system configurations, it is the responsibility of the user of this test method to specify the details and protocol of an individual system power measurement prior to the beginning of a measurement.  
5.2 Unlike device-level measurements that report performance at a fixed device temperature of 25 °C, such as Test Methods E1036, this test method uses regression to a reference ambient air temperature.  
5.2.1 System power values calculated using this test method are therefore much more indicative of the power a system actually produces compared with reporting performance at a relatively cold device temperature such as 25 °C.  
5.2.2 Using ambient temperature reduces the complexity of the data acquisition and analysis by avoiding the issues associated with defining and measuring the device temperature of an entire photovoltaic system.  
5.2.3 The user of this test method must select the time period over which system data are collected, and the averaging interval for the data collection within the constraints of 8.3.  
5.2.4 It is assumed that the system performance does not degrade or change during the data collection time period. This assumption influences the selection of the data collection period because system performance can have seasonal variations.  
5.3 The irradiance shall be measured in the plane of the modules under test. If multiple planes exist (particularly in the case of rolling terrain), then the plane or planes in which irradiance measurement will occur must be reported with the test results. In the case where this test method is to be used for acceptance testing of a photovoltaic system or reporting of photovoltaic system performance for contractual purposes, the plane or planes in which irradiance measurement will occur must be agreed upon by the parties to the test prior to the start of the test.
Note 1: In general, the irradiance measur...
SCOPE
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.  
1.2 This test method is used for the following purposes:  
1.2.1 Acceptance testing of newly installed photovoltaic systems,  
1.2.2 Reporting of dc or ac system performance, and  
1.2.3 Monitoring of photovoltaic system performance.  
1.3 This test method should not be used for:  
1.3.1 Testing of individual photovoltaic modules for comparison to nameplate power ratings,  
1.3.2 Testing of individual photovoltaic modules or systems for comparison to other photovoltaic modules or systems, and  
1.3.3 Testing of photovoltaic systems for the purpose of comparing the performance of photovoltaic systems located in different places.  
1.4 In this test method, photovoltaic system power is reported with respect to a set of reporting conditions (RC) including solar irradiance in the plane of the modules, ambient temperature, and wind speed (see Section 6). Measurements under a variety of reporting conditions are allowed to facilitate testing and comparison of results.  
1.5 This test method assumes that the solar cell temperature is directly influenced by ambient temperature and wind speed; if not the regression results may be less meaningful.  
1.6 The capacity measured according to this test method should not be used to make representations about the energy generation capabilities of the system.  
1.7 This test method is not applicable to concentrator photovoltaic systems; as an alternative, Test Method E2527 should be considered for such systems.  
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.9 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...

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Publication Date
31-Jul-2023
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ASTM E2848-13(2023) - Standard Test Method for Reporting Photovoltaic Non-Concentrator System Performance
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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: E2848 − 13 (Reapproved 2023) An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Reporting Photovoltaic Non-Concentrator System
1
Performance
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2848; 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 1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
1.1 This test method provides measurement and analysis
standard.
procedures for determining the capacity of a specific photovol-
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
taic system built in a particular place and in operation under
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
natural sunlight.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2 This test method is used for the following purposes:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.2.1 Acceptance testing of newly installed photovoltaic
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
systems,
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.2.2 Reporting of dc or ac system performance, and
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.2.3 Monitoring of photovoltaic system performance.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.3 This test method should not be used for:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.3.1 Testing of individual photovoltaic modules for com-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
parison to nameplate power ratings,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3.2 Testing of individual photovoltaic modules or systems
2. Referenced Documents
for comparison to other photovoltaic modules or systems, and
2
1.3.3 Testing of photovoltaic systems for the purpose of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
comparing the performance of photovoltaic systems located in
D6176 Practice for Measuring Surface Atmospheric Tem-
different places.
perature with Electrical Resistance Temperature Sensors
E772 Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
1.4 In this test method, photovoltaic system power is
E824 Test Method for Transfer of Calibration From Refer-
reported with respect to a set of reporting conditions (RC)
ence to Field Radiometers
including solar irradiance in the plane of the modules, ambient
E927 Classification for Solar Simulators for Electrical Per-
temperature, and wind speed (see Section 6). Measurements
formance Testing of Photovoltaic Devices
under a variety of reporting conditions are allowed to facilitate
E948 Test Method for Electrical Performance of Photovol-
testing and comparison of results.
taic Cells Using Reference Cells Under Simulated Sun-
1.5 This test method assumes that the solar cell temperature
light
is directly influenced by ambient temperature and wind speed;
E973 Test Method for Determination of the Spectral Mis-
if not the regression results may be less meaningful.
match Parameter Between a Photovoltaic Device and a
Photovoltaic Reference Cell
1.6 The capacity measured according to this test method
should not be used to make representations about the energy E1036 Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Noncon-
centrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays
generation capabilities of the system.
Using Reference Cells
1.7 This test method is not applicable to concentrator
E1040 Specification for Physical Characteristics of Noncon-
photovoltaic systems; as an alternative, Test Method E2527
centrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Reference Cells
should be considered for such systems.
E1125 Test Method for Calibration of Primary Non-
Concentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Reference Cells Us-
ing a Tabular Spectrum
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar,
Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources and is the direct responsibility of
2
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2023. Published August 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2011. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as E2848 – 13 (2018). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/E2848-13R23. the ASTM website.
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