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ASTM E1830-15(2019)

(Test Method)

Standard Test Methods for Determining Mechanical Integrity of Photovoltaic Modules

Standard Test Methods for Determining Mechanical Integrity of Photovoltaic Modules

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The useful life of photovoltaic modules may depend on their ability to withstand periodic exposure to high wind forces, cyclic loads induced by specific site conditions or shipment methods, high loads caused by accumulated snow and ice on the module surface, and twisting deflections caused by mounting to non-planar surfaces or structures. The effects on the module may be physical or electrical, or both. Most importantly, the effects may compromise the safety of the module, particularly in high voltage applications, or where the public may be exposed to broken glass or other debris.  
4.2 These test methods describe procedures for mounting the test specimen, conducting the prescribed mechanical tests, and reporting the effects of the testing.  
4.2.1 The mounting and fastening method shall comply with the manufacturer's recommendations as closely as possible. If slots or multiple mounting holes are provided on the module frame for optional mounting point capability, the worst-case mounting positions shall be selected in order to subject the module to the maximum stresses.  
4.2.2 If an unframed module is being tested, the module shall be mounted in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions using the recommended attachment clips, brackets, fasteners or other hardware, and tightened to the specified torque.  
4.2.3 The test specimen is mounted on a test base in a planar manner (unless specified otherwise), simulating a field mounting arrangement in order to ensure that modules are tested in a configuration that is representative of their use in the field.  
4.2.4 During the twist test, the module is mounted in a manner simulating a non-planar field mounting where one of the fastening points is displaced to create an intentional twist of 1.2°.  
4.3 Data obtained during testing may be used to evaluate and compare the effects of the simulated environments on the test specimens. These test methods require analysis of both visible effects and electri...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determining the ability of photovoltaic modules to withstand the mechanical loads, stresses and deflections used to simulate, on an accelerated basis, high wind conditions, heavy snow and ice accumulation, and non-planar installation effects.  
1.1.1 A static load test to 2400 Pa is used to simulate wind loads on both module surfaces.  
1.1.2 A static load test to 5400 Pa is used to simulate heavy snow and ice accumulation on the module front surface.  
1.1.3 A twist test is used to simulate the non-planar mounting of a photovoltaic module by subjecting it to a twist angle of 1.2°.  
1.1.4 A cyclic load test of 10 000 cycles duration and peak loading to 1440 Pa is used to simulate dynamic wind or other flexural loading. Such loading might occur during shipment or after installation at a particular location.  
1.2 These test methods define photovoltaic test specimens and mounting methods, and specify parameters that must be recorded and reported.  
1.3 Any individual mechanical test may be performed singly, or may be combined into a test sequence with other mechanical or nonmechanical tests, or both. Certain preconditioning test methods such as annealing or light soaking may also be necessary or desirable as a part of such a sequence. However, the determination of such test sequencing and preconditioning is beyond the scope of these test methods.  
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 These test methods do not apply to concentrator modules.  
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.7 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the hazards portion, Section 6, and the warning statements, 7.5.3.2 and 7.6.3.2, of these test methods.This standard doe...

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

Refers
ASTM E1462-12(2018) - Standard Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
Effective Date
01-Feb-2018
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 E1036-15(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Nonconcentrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays Using Reference Cells
Effective Date
01-Apr-2019

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ASTM E1830-15(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Determining Mechanical Integrity of Photovoltaic ModulesASTM E1830-15(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Determining Mechanical Integrity of Photovoltaic Modules
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ASTM E1830-15(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Determining Mechanical Integrity of Photovoltaic Modules
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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: E1830 − 15 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Test Methods for
1
Determining Mechanical Integrity of Photovoltaic Modules
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1830; 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 1.7 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
hazards portion, Section 6, and the warning statements, 7.5.3.2
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for determining
and 7.6.3.2, of these test methods.This standard does not
theabilityofphotovoltaicmodulestowithstandthemechanical
purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated
loads, stresses and deflections used to simulate, on an acceler-
with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard
ated basis, high wind conditions, heavy snow and ice
to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental
accumulation, and non-planar installation effects.
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
1.1.1 A static load test to 2400 Pa is used to simulate wind
tions prior to use.
loads on both module surfaces.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.1.2 Astatic load test to 5400 Pa is used to simulate heavy
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
snow and ice accumulation on the module front surface.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.1.3 A twist test is used to simulate the non-planar mount-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
ing of a photovoltaic module by subjecting it to a twist angle
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
of 1.2°.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1.4 A cyclic load test of 10 000 cycles duration and peak
loading to 1440 Pa is used to simulate dynamic wind or other
2. Referenced Documents
flexural loading. Such loading might occur during shipment or
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
after installation at a particular location.
E772 Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
1.2 These test methods define photovoltaic test specimens
E1036 Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Noncon-
and mounting methods, and specify parameters that must be
centrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays
recorded and reported.
Using Reference Cells
1.3 Any individual mechanical test may be performed E1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground
singly, or may be combined into a test sequence with other
Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
mechanical or nonmechanical tests, or both. Certain precondi-
E1799 Practice for Visual Inspections of Photovoltaic Mod-
tioning test methods such as annealing or light soaking may
ules
also be necessary or desirable as a part of such a sequence.
3. Terminology
However, the determination of such test sequencing and
preconditioning is beyond the scope of these test methods.
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in these test
methods may be found in Terminology E772.
1.4 These test methods do not establish pass or fail levels.
The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is
4. Significance and Use
beyond the scope of these test methods.
4.1 The useful life of photovoltaic modules may depend on
1.5 These test methods do not apply to concentrator mod-
theirabilitytowithstandperiodicexposuretohighwindforces,
ules.
cyclic loads induced by specific site conditions or shipment
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
methods, high loads caused by accumulated snow and ice on
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
the module surface, and twisting deflections caused by mount-
standard.
ing to non-planar surfaces or structures. The effects on the
module may be physical or electrical, or both. Most
importantly, the effects may compromise the safety of the
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on
Solar, Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources and are the direct
2
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 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E1830 - 15. DOI: Standardsvolume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1830-15R19. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM Internati
...

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Standard Practice for Visual Inspections of Photovoltaic Modules

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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SCOPE
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SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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FIG. 1 Hot Spot Effect  
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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.  
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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).  
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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.  
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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.  
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SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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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.  
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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 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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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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