EN IEC 61215-1-3:2021/A1:2022

Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval - Part 1-3: Special requirements for testing of thin-film amorphous silicon based photovoltaic (PV) modules

Terrestrische Photovoltaik(PV)-Module - Bauarteignung und Bauartzulassung - Teil 1-3: Besondere Anforderungen an die Prüfung von Photovoltaik(PV)-Dünnschichtmodulen aus amorphem Silizium

Modules photovoltaïques (PV) pour applications terrestres - Qualification de la conception et homologation - Partie 1-3: Exigences particulières d'essai des modules photovoltaïques (PV) au silicium amorphe à couches minces

Prizemni fotonapetostni (PV) moduli - Ocena zasnove in odobritev tipa - 1-3. del: Posebne zahteve za preskušanje fotonapetostnih modulov iz tankoslojnega amorfnega silicija - Dopolnilo A1

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 05-May-2022
• 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: 06-May-2022
• Completion Date: 06-May-2022
• Ref Project: SIST EN IEC 61215-1-3:2021/A1:2022 - Amendment 1 - Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval - Part 1-3: Special requirements for testing of thin-film amorphous silicon based photovoltaic (PV) modules

Relations

• Amends: EN IEC 61215-1-3:2021 - Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval - Part 1-3: Special requirements for testing of thin-film amorphous silicon based photovoltaic (PV) modules
• Effective Date: 27-Apr-2021

Overview

The EN IEC 61215-1-3:2021/A1:2022 standard focuses on the design qualification and type approval of terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules, with special attention to thin-film amorphous silicon based PV modules. It is an amendment to the IEC 61215 series, issued by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC). This amendment introduces specific requirements for testing thin-film amorphous silicon PV modules, addressing the evolving technologies and applications in solar energy systems.

This standard is essential for manufacturers, designers, and certifiers working with thin-film amorphous silicon PV technology, ensuring these modules meet safety, durability, and performance criteria before market approval.

Key Topics

• Reduced Mechanical Load Modules
  This amendment defines and introduces the concept of PV modules with reduced mechanical load capacity, allowing test loads as low as 1,200 Pa compared to the traditional 2,400 Pa-significantly impacting installation scenarios and structural design. These modules are marked accordingly and are not suitable for rooftop installations, but are intended for ground-mounted systems with restricted access and engineered mounting.

• Markings and Documentation Requirements
  The standard mandates clear and indelible nameplate markings for modules with reduced mechanical loads, including design load ranges and specific installation limitations. Documentation must specify safe application instructions and the engineered nature of installation scenarios for reduced load modules.

• Static Mechanical Load Testing (MQT 16)
  Specifies modifications to the static mechanical load tests with differentiated minimum load values depending on module type:

  • Regular modules require a minimum test load of 2,400 Pa
  • Reduced load modules require a minimum test load of 1,200 Pa

• Definitions and Safety
  Introduces terms such as restricted access areas, defining installations accessible only to qualified electrical personnel. This aligns safety practices within utility-scale PV installations and complex engineering designs.

Applications

The EN IEC 61215-1-3:2021/A1:2022 standard is critical for:

• Manufacturers of Thin-Film Amorphous Silicon PV Modules
  To obtain design qualification and type approval under updated mechanical load testing rules ensuring the modules are appropriately marked and documented based on mechanical capabilities.

• Ground-Mounted Utility-Scale PV Installations
  Where reduced mechanical load modules can be safely utilized in engineered and restricted environments, optimizing costs and materials while maintaining safety and performance integrity.

• PV System Designers and Engineers
  To properly specify module types, design load parameters, and installation criteria compliant with the defined mechanical load requirements and associated safety restrictions.

• Certification Bodies and Testing Laboratories
  To apply the updated testing procedures, evaluate conformity, and ensure compliance with the specialized requirements for amorphous silicon thin-film modules.

Related Standards

This amendment functions as part of the broader IEC 61215 series, which covers design qualification and type approval of terrestrial PV modules in general, including crystalline silicon and other technologies. Related standards include:

• EN IEC 61215-1:2021 – General design qualification and type approval for terrestrial PV modules
• EN IEC 61215-2:2021 – Requirements for mechanical and environmental testing of PV modules
• IEC 60050-195 – Electrotechnical vocabulary related to electrical installations, including safety terms like restricted access areas
• Other relevant CENELEC and IEC standards addressing photovoltaic safety, performance, and installation practices

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This standard is aligned with international photovoltaic system safety, quality assurance, and performance testing protocols. It supports both technological advancement and regulatory compliance, enhancing the reliability and optimal use of thin-film amorphous silicon PV modules in various terrestrial solar energy applications.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2022
Prizemni fotonapetostni (PV) moduli - Ocena zasnove in odobritev tipa - 1-3. del:
Posebne zahteve za preskušanje fotonapetostnih modulov iz tankoslojnega
amorfnega silicija - Dopolnilo A1
Amendment 1 - Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type
approval - Part 1-3: Special requirements for testing of thin-film amorphous silicon based
photovoltaic (PV) modules
Terrestrische kristalline Silizium-Photovoltaik(PV)-Module - Bauarteignung und
Bauartzulassung - Teil 1-3: Besondere Anforderungen an die Prüfung von Photovoltaik
(PV)-Dünnschichtmodulen aus amorphem Silizium
Amendement 1 - Modules photovoltaïques (PV) pour applications terrestres -
Qualification de la conception et homologation - Partie 1-3: Exigences particulières d
\'essai des modules photovoltaïques (PV) au silicium amorphe à couches minces
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 61215-1-3:2021/A1:2022
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 61215-1-3:2021/A1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM May 2022
ICS 27.160
English Version
Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and
type approval - Part 1-3: Special requirements for testing of thin-
film amorphous silicon based photovoltaic (PV) modules
(IEC 61215-1-3:2021/AMD1:2022)
Modules photovoltaïques (PV) pour applications terrestres - Terrestrische kristalline Silizium-Photovoltaik(PV)-Module -
Qualification de la conception et homologation - Partie 1-3: Bauarteignung und Bauartzulassung - Teil 1-3: Besondere
Exigences particulières d'essai des modules Anforderungen an die Prüfung von Photovoltaik(PV)-
photovoltaïques (PV) au silicium amorphe à couches Dünnschichtmodulen aus amorphem Silizium
minces (IEC 61215-1-3:2021/AMD1:2022)
(IEC 61215-1-3:2021/AMD1:2022)
This amendment A1 modifies the European Standard EN IEC 61215-1-3:2021; it was approved by CENELEC on 2022-05-02. CENELEC
members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this amendment 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 amendment 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
© 2022 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 61215-1-3:2021/A1:2022 E

European foreword
The text of document 82/1997/FDIS, future IEC 61215-1-3/AMD1, prepared by IEC/TC 82 "Solar
photovoltaic energy systems" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by
CENELEC as EN IEC 61215-1-3:2021/A1:2022.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2023-02-02
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2025-05-02
document have to be withdrawn
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.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 61215-1-3:2021/AMD1:2022 was approved by CENELEC
as a European Standard without any modification.

IEC 61215-1-3 ®
Edition 2.0 2022-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
A MENDMENT 1
AM ENDEMENT 1
Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval –

Part 1-3: Special requirements for testing of thin-film amorphous silicon based

photovoltaic (PV) modules
Modules photovoltaïques (PV) pour applications terrestres – qualification de la

conception et homologation –
Partie 1-3: Exigences particulières d'essai des modules photovoltaïques (PV) au

silicium amorphe à couches minces

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 27.160 ISBN 978-2-8322-1089-3

– 2 – IEC 61215-1-3:2021/AMD1:2022
© IEC 2022
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
TERRESTRIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) MODULES –
DESIGN QUALIFICATION AND TYPE APPROVAL –

Part 1-3: Special requirements for testing of thin-film
amorphous silicon based photovoltaic (PV) modules

AMENDMENT 1
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
...