EN IEC 61215-1-4:2021

Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval - Part 1-4: Special requirements for testing of thin-film Cu(In,GA)(S,Se)2 based photovoltaic (PV) modules

This document lays down requirements for the design qualification of terrestrial photovoltaic modules suitable for long-term operation in open-air climates. The useful service life of modules so qualified will depend on their design, their environment and the conditions under which they are operated. Test results are not construed as a quantitative prediction of module lifetime. In climates where 98th percentile operating temperatures exceed 70 °C, users are recommended to consider testing to higher temperature test conditions as described in IEC TS 63126. Users desiring qualification of PV products with lesser lifetime expectations are recommended to consider testing designed for PV in consumer electronics, as described in IEC 63163 (under development). Users wishing to gain confidence that the characteristics tested in IEC 61215 appear consistently in a manufactured product may wish to utilize IEC 62941 regarding quality systems in PV manufacturing. This document is intended to apply to all thin-film Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 based terrestrial flat plate modules. As such it addresses special requirements for testing of this technology supplementing IEC 61215-1:2021 and IEC 61215-2:2021 requirements for testing. This document does not apply to modules used with concentrated sunlight although it may be utilized for low concentrator modules (1 to 3 suns). For low concentration modules, all tests are performed using the irradiance, current, voltage and power levels expected at the design concentration. The object of this test sequence is to determine the electrical characteristics of the module and to show, as far as possible within reasonable constraints of cost and time, that the module is capable of withstanding prolonged exposure outdoors. Accelerated test conditions are empirically based on those necessary to reproduce selected observed field failures and are applied equally across module types. Acceleration factors may vary with product design and thus not all degradation mechanisms may manifest. Further general information on accelerated test methods including definitions of terms may be found in IEC 62506. Some long-term degradation mechanisms can only reasonably be detected via component testing, due to long times required to produce the failure and necessity of stress conditions that are expensive to produce over large areas. Component tests that have reached a sufficient level of maturity to set pass/fail criteria with high confidence are incorporated into the IEC 61215 series via addition to Table 1 in IEC 61215-1. In contrast, the tests procedures described in this series, in IEC 61215-2, are performed on modules. This document defines PV technology dependent modifications to the testing procedures and requirements per IEC 61215-1:2021 and IEC 61215-2:2021.

Terrestrische Photovoltaik(PV)-Module - Bauarteignung und Bauartzulassung - Teil 1-4: Besondere Anforderungen an die Prüfung von Photovoltaik(PV)-Dünnschichtmodulen aus Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2

Modules photovoltaïques (PV) pour applications terrestres - Qualification de la conception et homologation - Partie 1-4: Exigences particulières d'essai des modules photovoltaïques (PV) au Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 à couches minces

IEC 61215-1-4:2021 est disponible sous forme de IEC 61215-1-4:2021 RLV qui contient la Norme internationale et sa version Redline, illustrant les modifications du contenu technique depuis l'édition précédente.L'IEC 61215-1-4:2021 établit les exigences pour la qualification de la conception des modules photovoltaïques (PV) pour applications terrestres adaptés à une utilisation de longue durée dans les climats à l'air libre. La durée de vie utile des modules ainsi qualifiés dépend de leur conception, de leur environnement et de leurs conditions de fonctionnement. Les résultats d’essai ne sont pas considérés comme une prévision quantitative de la durée de vie des modules. Le présent document est destiné à s'appliquer à tous les modules à plaque plane au Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 à couches minces pour applications terrestres. À ce titre, il spécifie des exigences d'essai particulières à cette technologie en complément des exigences d'essai données dans l'IEC 61215-1:2021 et l'IEC 61215-2:2021. Cette deuxième édition annule et remplace la première édition de l'IEC 61215-1-4, parue en 2016. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente: a. Ajout d'un essai de charge mécanique (dynamique) cyclique (MQT 20). b. Ajout d'un essai de dégradation induite par le potentiel (MQT 21). c. Ajout d'un essai de flexion (MQT 22) dédié aux modules souples. La présente norme doit être utilisée conjointement avec l'IEC 61215-1:2021 et l'IEC 61215‑2:2021.

Prizemni fotonapetostni (PV) moduli - Ocena zasnove in odobritev tipa - 1-4. del: Posebne zahteve za preskušanje fotonapetostnih modulov iz tankoslojnega Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 01-Apr-2021
• ICS: 27.160 - Solar energy engineering
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 82 - Solar photovoltaic energy systems
• Drafting Committee: IEC/TC 82 - IEC_TC_82
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 02-Apr-2021
• Completion Date: 02-Apr-2021
• Ref Project: SIST EN IEC 61215-1-4:2021 - Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval - Part 1-4: Special requirements for testing of thin-film Cu(In,GA)(S,Se)2 based photovoltaic (PV) modules

Relations

• Replaces: EN 61215-1-4:2017 - Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval - Part 1-4: Special requirements for testing of thin-film Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 based photovoltaic (PV) modules
• Effective Date: 13-Apr-2021
• Amended By: EN IEC 61215-1-4:2021/A1:2022 - Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval - Part 1-4: Special requirements for testing of thin-film Cu(In,GA)(S,Se)2 based photovoltaic (PV) modules
• Effective Date: 27-Apr-2021

Overview - EN IEC 61215-1-4:2021 (thin‑film CIGS PV modules)

EN IEC 61215-1-4:2021 specifies special requirements for design qualification and type approval of terrestrial flat‑plate photovoltaic (PV) modules based on thin‑film Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 (CIGS). It supplements the general module test requirements of IEC 61215‑1:2021 and IEC 61215‑2:2021, defining technology‑dependent modifications to the test sequence used to demonstrate that a module can withstand prolonged outdoor exposure. The standard is intended for open‑air climates and is not for concentrated‑sunlight modules (except where low concentration, 1–3 suns, is explicitly tested at design irradiance/current/voltage).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and limitations: Applies to thin‑film CIGS terrestrial flat‑plate modules; test results are not a quantitative lifetime prediction. For climates with 98th‑percentile temperatures >70 °C, the standard recommends higher temperature testing per IEC TS 63126.
• Test flow & MQT test suite: Defines module‑level tests (MQT 01–MQT 22) including visual inspection, maximum power, insulation, temperature coefficients, STC performance, low irradiance, outdoor exposure, hot‑spot endurance, UV preconditioning, thermal cycling, humidity‑freeze, damp‑heat, robustness of terminations, wet leakage, mechanical load (static and cyclic), hail, bypass diode tests, stabilization, and technologies‑specific tests.
• New in Edition 2 (2021): Addition of cyclic (dynamic) mechanical load test (MQT 20), potential‑induced degradation (PID) detection test (MQT 21), and bending test for flexible modules (MQT 22).
• Accelerated testing philosophy: Acceleration factors are empirically based to reproduce observed field failures; some long‑term degradation mechanisms may only be detected by component‑level tests. Mature component tests with pass/fail criteria are incorporated via Table 1 of IEC 61215‑1.
• Documentation & reporting: Requirements include marking, test records and pass/fail criteria; conformity assessment should reference the full IEC 61215 series.

Practical applications - who uses it

• PV module manufacturers - design qualification, type approval and product development for CIGS modules.
• Test labs & certification bodies - executing module tests and issuing conformity reports.
• Project developers & system integrators - specifying procurement and verifying module suitability for specific climates.
• R&D and quality engineers - understanding failure modes, accelerated testing methods and mitigation strategies.

Related standards and references

• IEC 61215‑1:2021 and IEC 61215‑2:2021 (general requirements and procedures)
• IEC 62506 (accelerated test methods and terms)
• IEC TS 63126 (high‑temperature test guidance)
• IEC 62941 (quality systems in PV manufacturing)
• IEC 63163 (PV for consumer electronics - under development)

EN IEC 61215‑1‑4:2021 is essential for anyone specifying, testing or certifying thin‑film CIGS PV modules and supports reliable deployment through standardized, technology‑specific qualification.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2021
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 61215-1-4:2017
Prizemni fotonapetostni (PV) moduli - Ocena zasnove in odobritev tipa - 1-4. del:
Posebne zahteve za preskušanje fotonapetostnih modulov iz tankoslojnega Cu
(In,Ga)(S,Se)2
Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval - Part 1-4:
Special requirements for testing of thin-film Cu(In,GA)(S,Se)2 based photovoltaic (PV)
modules
Modules photovoltaïques (PV) pour applications terrestres - Qualification de la
conception et homologation - Partie 1-4: Exigences particulières d'essai des modules
photovoltaïques (PV) au Cu(In,GA)(S,Se)₂ à couches minces
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 61215-1-4:2021
ICS:
27.160 Sončna energija Solar energy engineering
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 61215-1-4

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
April 2021
ICS 27.160 Supersedes EN 61215-1-4:2017 and all of its
amendments and corrigenda (if any)
English Version
Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and
type approval - Part 1-4: Special requirements for testing of thin-
film Cu(In,GA)(S,Se)2 based photovoltaic (PV) modules
(IEC 61215-1-4:2021)
Modules photovoltaïques (PV) pour applications terrestres - Terrestrische Photovoltaik(PV)-Module - Bauarteignung und
Qualification de la conception et homologation - Partie 1-4: Bauartzulassung - Teil 1-4: Besondere Anforderungen an
Exigences particulières d'essai des modules die Prüfung von Photovoltaik(PV)-Dünnschichtmodulen aus
photovoltaïques (PV) au Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 à couches Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2
minces (IEC 61215-1-4:2021)
(IEC 61215-1-4:2021)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2021-03-30. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2021 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 61215-1-4:2021 E

European foreword
The text of document 82/1827/FDIS, future edition 2 of IEC 61215-1-4, prepared by IEC/TC 82 “Solar
photovoltaic energy systems” was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by
CENELEC as EN IEC 61215-1-4:2021.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2021–12–30
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2024–03–30
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 61215-1-4:2017 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if any).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 61215-1-4:2021 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.

IEC 61215-1-4 ®
Edition 2.0 2021-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval –

Part 1-4: Special requirements for testing of thin-film Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se) based
photovoltaic (PV) modules
Modules photovoltaïques (PV) pour applications terrestres – Qualification de la

conception et homologation –
Partie 1-4: Exigences particulières d'essai des modules photovoltaïques (PV)

au Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se) à couches minces
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 27.160 ISBN 978-2-8322-9393-5

– 2 – IEC 61215-1-4:2021 © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Test samples . 7
5 Marking and documentation . 7
6 Testing . 7
7 Pass criteria . 7
8 Major visual defects . 7
9 Report . 7
10 Modifications . 7
11 Test flow and procedures . 7
11.1 Visual inspection (MQT 01) . 7
11.2 Maximum power determination (MQT 02) . 7
11.3 Insulation test (MQT 03) . 8
11.4 Measurement of temperature coefficients (MQT 04) . 8
11.5 Placeholder section, formerly NMOT . 8
11.6 Performance at STC (MQT 06.1) . 8
11.7 Performance at low irradiance (MQT 07) . 8
11.8 Outdoor exposure test (MQT 08) . 8
11.9 Hot-spot endurance test (MQT 09) . 8
11.9.1 Purpose . 8
11.9.2 Hot-spot effect . 8
11.9.3 Classification of cell interconnection . 8
11.9.4 Apparatus . 8
11.9.5 Procedure . 8
11.9.6 Final measurements . 9
11.9.7 Requirements . 9
11.10 UV preconditioning test (MQT 10) . 9
11.11 Thermal cycling test (MQT 11) . 9
11.12 Humidity-freeze test (MQT 12) . 10
11.13 Damp heat test (MQT 13) . 11
11.13.1 Procedure . 11
11.14 Robustness of terminations (MQT 14) . 12
11.15 Wet leakage current test (MQT 15) . 12
11.16 Static mechanical load test (MQT 16) . 12
11.17 Hail test (MQT 17) . 12
11.18 Bypass diode testing (MQT 18) . 12
11.19 Stabilization (MQT 19) . 12
11.19.1 Criterion definition for stabilization . 12
11.19.2 Light induced stabilization procedures . 12
11.19.3 Other stabilization procedures . 12
11.19.4 Initial stabilization (MQT 19.1) . 12
11.19.5 Final stabilization (MQT 19.2) . 13
11.20 Cyclic (dynamic) mechanical load test (MQT 20) . 13

IEC 61215-1-4:2021 © IEC 2021 – 3 –
11.21 Potential induced degradation test (MQT 21) . 13
11.22 Bending test (MQT 22) . 14

Figure 1 – Current flow using MQT 11 Method B . 10
Figure 2 – Current flow using MQT 12 Method B . 11
Figure 3 – Electrical connections for MQT 21 Method B, positive system voltage . 14
Figure 4 – Electrical connections for MQT 21 Method B, negative system voltage . 14

– 4 – IEC 61215-1-4:2021 © IEC 2021
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
___________
TERRESTRIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) MODULES –
DESIGN QUALIFICATION AND TYPE APPROVAL –

Part 1-4: Special requirements for testing of thin-film
Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se) based photovoltaic (PV) modules
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61215-1-4 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 82:
Solar photovoltaic energy systems.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition of IEC 61215-1-4, issued in 2016,
and constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) A cyclic (dynamic) mechanical load test (MQT 20) added.
b) A test for detection of potential-induced degradation (MQT 21) added.
c) A bending test (MQT 22) for flexible modules added.

IEC 61215-1-4:2021 © IEC 2021 – 5 –
Informative Annex A of 61215-1:2021 explains the background and reasoning behind some of
the more substantial changes that were made in the IEC 61215 series in progressing from
edition 1 to edition 2.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
82/1827/FDIS 82/1852/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in
the report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
This standard is to be read in conjunction with IEC 61215-1:2021 and IEC 61215-2:2021.
A list of all parts in the IEC 61215 series, published under the general title Terrestrial
photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval, can be found on the IEC
website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The "colour inside" logo on the cover page of this document indicates that it
contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding of its
contents. Users should therefore print this document using a colour printer.

– 6 – IEC 61215-1-4:2021 © IEC 2021
TERRESTRIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) MODULES –
DESIGN QUALIFICATION AND TYPE APPROVAL –

Part 1-4: Special requirements for testing of thin-film
Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se) based photovoltaic (
...