EN IEC 62788-2-1:2023/A1:2026

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 17-Sep-2026
• ICS: 27.160 - Solar energy engineering
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 82 - Solar photovoltaic energy systems
• Current Stage: 6055 - Ratification Completed (DOR) - Publishing
• Start Date: 28-Aug-2026
• Completion Date: 28-Aug-2026
• Ref Project: SIST EN IEC 62788-2-1:2024/kprA1:2026 - Amendment 1 - Measurement procedures for materials used in photovoltaic modules - Part 2-1: Polymeric materials - Frontsheet and backsheet - Safety requirements

• Amends: EN IEC 62788-2-1:2023 - Measurement procedures for materials used in photovoltaic modules - Part 2-1: Polymeric materials - Frontsheet and backsheet - Safety requirements
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2025

Overview

EN IEC 62788-2-1:2023/A1:2026 details the measurement procedures and safety requirements for polymeric materials, specifically the frontsheet and backsheet, used in photovoltaic (PV) modules. This amendment, issued by CLC, updates procedures to align with the latest industry needs, including advanced safety and durability testing for PV module components. The standard is an essential reference for manufacturers, testing laboratories, and professionals engaged in solar energy engineering and the development of reliable PV modules.

Key Topics

• Measurement Procedures: Defines precise testing protocols for polymeric materials used as frontsheets and backsheets in PV modules.
• Safety Requirements: Addresses risk mitigation, safety-relevant properties, and compliance as per IEC 61730 and related standards.
• UV Weathering Testing: Outlines updated UV exposure conditions based on module operating temperature and material type, including tailored protocols for white/clear and colored backsheets.
• Temperature Ratings: Clarifies test sequences at different module operating temperatures (Level 0, Level 1, Level 2) to address standard and extended operating environments.
• Optical and Mechanical Performance: Includes requirements for maintaining optical transmittance (for frontsheets) and mechanical integrity following environmental exposure tests.
• Updated Definitions and References: Provides harmonized terminology and references to support accuracy and consistency across international standards (e.g., IEC TS 62788-2-1, IEC TS 63126).

Applications

This standard is vital in various photovoltaic module manufacturing and testing scenarios:

• Material Qualification: Helps manufacturers of PV modules and component suppliers verify that polymeric materials for frontsheets and backsheets meet international safety and performance criteria.
• Product Certification: Supports testing laboratories and certification bodies in conducting robust safety and durability assessments, fulfilling regulatory and market-access requirements.
• Quality Assurance: Enables solar project developers, EPC contractors, and investors to ensure long-term reliability of module materials under different climate and installation conditions.
• Research and Development: Assists R&D teams in optimizing material formulations and product design by providing clear, measurable targets for safety and optical durability.

Related Standards

EN IEC 62788-2-1:2023/A1:2026 is used in conjunction with several core international standards, including:

• IEC 61730: Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification.
• IEC 61215-1: Requirements for PV modules, including anticipated durability tests for optical transmittance.
• IEC TS 62788-2: Procedures for UV weathering and environmental testing of PV materials.
• IEC TS 63126: Specifies extended test conditions for high-temperature PV module operation.
• IEC TS 62788-7-2: Provides temperature settings for UV test procedures relevant to sheet temperatures during accelerated aging.

Practical Value

By following EN IEC 62788-2-1:2023/A1:2026, the solar industry can:

• Ensure the safe use of polymeric materials in both standard and extended environments.
• Maintain high performance and longer operational lifetimes for PV modules.
• Meet the latest regulatory requirements and customer expectations for safety and durability.
• Improve efficiencies in testing and certification processes through harmonized international procedures.

Keywords: EN IEC 62788-2-1, PV module safety, polymeric materials, frontsheet, backsheet, UV weathering, solar PV testing, photovoltaic standards, optical durability, module operating temperature.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN IEC 62788-2-1:2024/oprA1:2026
01-februar-2026
Merilni postopki za materiale, uporabljene v fotonapetostnih modulih - 2-1. del:
Polimerni materiali - Prednja in zadnja plast - Varnostne zahteve - Dopolnilo A1
Amendment 1 - Measurement procedures for materials used in photovoltaic modules -
Part 2-1: Polymeric materials - Frontsheet and backsheet - Safety requirements
Messverfahren für Werkstoffe, die in Photovoltaik-Modulen verwendet werden - Teil 2-1:
Polymerwerkstoffe - Frontsheets und Backsheets - Sicherheitsanforderungen
Procédures de mesure des matériaux utilisés dans les modules photovoltaïques - Partie
2-1: Matériaux polymères - Face avant et face arrière - Exigences de sécurité
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 62788-2-1:2023/prA1:2025
ICS:
27.160 Sončna energija Solar energy engineering
83.080.01 Polimerni materiali na Plastics in general
splošno
SIST EN IEC 62788-2-1:2024/oprA1:2026 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

SIST EN IEC 62788-2-1:2024/oprA1:2026

SIST EN IEC 62788-2-1:2024/oprA1:2026
82/2535/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 62788-2-1/AMD1 ED1
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2025-12-26 2026-03-20
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
82/2469/CD, 82/2508A/CC
IEC TC 82 : SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY SYSTEMS
SECRETARIAT: SECRETARY:
United States of America Mr George Kelly
OF INTEREST TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: HORIZONTAL FUNCTION(S):

ASPECTS CONCERNED:
Safety
SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING NOT SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING
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CENELEC, is drawn to the fact that this Committee Draft
for Vote (CDV) is submitted for parallel voting.
The CENELEC members are invited to vote through the
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This document is still under study and subject to change. It should not be used for reference purposes.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of
which they are aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant “In Some Countries”
clauses to be included should this proposal proceed. Recipients are reminded that the CDV stage is the final stage for
submitting ISC clauses. (SEE AC/22/2007 OR NEW GUIDANCE DOC).

TITLE:
Amendment 1 - Measurement procedures for materials used in photovoltaic modules - Part 2-1:
Polymeric materials - Frontsheet and backsheet - Safety requirements

PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2031
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SIST EN IEC 62788-2-1:2024/oprA1:2026
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
This project was discussed and supported by WG2 during their meeting in 2025-09.

SIST EN IEC 62788-2-1:2024/oprA1:2026
IEC CDV 62788-2-1/AMD1 © IEC 2025
1 PROPOSED AMENDMENT FOR:
3 MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES FOR MATERIALS USED IN PHOTOVOLTAIC
4 MODULES –
6 Part 2-1: Polymeric materials – Frontsheet and backsheet – Safety
7 requirements
9 Throughout IEC 62788-2-1 the when the word “level” is used to describe a defined thermal exposure
10 certification protocol, it shall be capitalized as “Level”.
12 In the FOREWORD, the reference to this technical specification should be “IEC TS 62788-2-1”.
14 The third paragraph of the Introduction currently reads:
15 This document focusses on the safety relevant properties of front- and backsheets as required by
16 IEC 61730.
17 Modify this to say:
18 This document focusses on the safety relevant properties of front- and backsheets as required by
19 IEC 61730, but also includes an optical durability test for polymer transmittance of frontsheets that
20 is anticipated to be required by IEC 61215-1 in the upcoming edition 3.
22 In the definitions section, add:
24 temperature Level 0
25 test sequences applied to PV modules where [T98]max is 70°C and all other tests are the defaults
26 for their respected tests in IEC 61730 and IEC 61215
27 The definition for FBST should read indicate a “TS” as:
28 FBST
29 Front- or backsheet safety test in accordance with IEC TS 62788-2-1.
31 The third paragraph in Clause 4 “Designation and ratings”, currently reads:
32 A front- or backsheet is rated for a maximum 𝑇 module operating temperature. The module
33 operating temperature is related to a combination of environment and mounting conditions as
34 described in IEC 61730-1 and IEC TS 63126:
th
35 IEC 61730-1 (by default) specifies PV modules with 98 percentile operating temperatures
36 T ≤ 70 °C.
37 IEC TS 63126 defines extended test conditions for high temperature operation with 𝑇 ≤
38 80 °C [level 1] or ≤ 90 °C [level 2]. The requirements for the thermal endurance test
[ ]
39 (FBST 06) depend on the specified 𝑇 . IEC 62788-2-1 deviates from
98 max
SIST EN IEC 62788-2-1:2024/oprA1:2026
IEC CDV 62788-2-1/AMD1 © IEC 2025
40 IEC TS 63126:2020, in that the UV weathering temperature conditions applied in the UV
41 weathering test (FBST 08) shall be as specified in Table 4.
42 Note: IEC TS 63126:2020 is currently under consideration for modification and will likely be changed to conform with this
43 document.
45 This should be changed to:
46 A front- or backsheet is rated for a maximum 𝑇 module operating temperature. The module
47 operating temperature is related to a combination of environment and mounting conditions as
48 described in IEC 61730-1 and IEC TS 63126:
th
49 IEC 61730-1 (by default) [Level 0] specifies PV modules with 98 percentile operating
50 temperatures T ≤ 70°C.
51 IEC TS 63126 defines extended test conditions for high temperature operation with 𝑇 ≤
52 80°C [Level 1] or ≤ 90°C [Level 2]. The requirements for the thermal endurance test
[ ]
53 (FBST 06) depend on the specified 𝑇 .
98 max
55 Clause 6.7.2 “UV weathering – FBST 08”, currently reads:
56 6.7.2 UV weathering – FBST 08
57 UV weathering is carried out using a xenon arc light source according to the method in IEC TS
58 62788-2 using the following exposures:
59 • For frontsheets, only the sun-facing side is tested:
60 – The sun-facing (air-)side shall be exposed directly to the test light
...