IEC 60904-9:2020

Photovoltaic devices - Part 9: Classification of solar simulator characteristics

IEC 60904-9:2020 is applicable for solar simulators used in PV test and calibration laboratories and in manufacturing lines of solar cells and PV modules. This document define classifications of solar simulators for use in indoor measurements of terrestrial photovoltaic devices. Solar simulators are classified as A+, A, B or C based on criteria of spectral distribution match, irradiance non-uniformity in the test plane and temporal instability of irradiance. This document provides the required methodologies for determining the classification of solar simulators in each of the categories. A solar simulator which does not meet the minimum requirements of class C cannot be classified according to this document. This document is used in combination with IEC TR 60904-14, which deals with best practice recommendations for production line measurements of single-junction PV module maximum power output and reporting at standard test conditions.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition issued in 2007. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- Changed title;
- Added spectral match classification in an extended wavelength range;
- Introduction of new A+ class;
- Definition of additional parameters for spectral irradiance evaluation;
- Added apparatus sections for spectral irradiance measurement and spatial uniformity measurement;
- Revised procedure for spectral match classification (minimum 4 measurement locations);
- Revised measurement procedure for spatial uniformity of irradiance;
- Added informative Annex for sensitivity analysis of spectral mismatch error related to solar simulator spectral irradiance.

Dispositifs photovoltaïques - Partie 9: Classification des caractéristiques des simulateurs solaires

l'IEC 60904-9:2020 est applicable aux simulateurs solaires utilisés dans les laboratoires d’essai et d’étalonnage des dispositifs PV et dans les chaînes de fabrication des cellules solaires et des modules PV.. Le présent document définit les classifications des simulateurs solaires à utiliser dans les mesures en intérieur des dispositifs photovoltaïques terrestres.Les simulateurs solaires sont classés en catégorie A+, A, B ou C, sur la base de critères d’équilibre de répartition spectrale, de non-uniformité de l’éclairement énergétique dans le plan d’essai et d’instabilité temporelle de l’éclairement énergétique. Le présent document fournit les méthodologies exigées pour déterminer la classification des simulateurs solaires dans chacune des catégories. Un simulateur solaire qui ne satisfait pas aux exigences minimales de la classe C ne peut pas être classé conformément au présent document. Le présent document est utilisé conjointement avec l’IEC TR 60904-14, qui traite des recommandations en matière de meilleures pratiques pour les mesurages sur la chaîne de production de la puissance maximale de sortie des modules PV à jonction unique et des comptes rendus dans les conditions d’essai standard.
Cette troisième édition annule et remplace la deuxième édition parue en 2007 .Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
- Modification du titre;
- Ajout d’une classification de l’égalisation spectrale dans une plage de longueurs d'onde étendue;
- Introduction d’une nouvelle classe A+;
- Définition de paramètres supplémentaires pour l’évaluation de l’éclairement énergétique spectrique;
- Ajout de sections d’appareils pour le mesurage de l’éclairement énergétique spectrique et le mesurage de l’uniformité spatiale;
- Révision de la procédure de classification de l’égalisation spectrale (au moins 4 emplacements de mesure);
- Révision de la procédure de mesure pour l’uniformité spatiale de l’éclairement énergétique;
- Ajout d’une annexe informative pour l’analyse de sensibilité de l’erreur de désadaptation des réponses spectrales liée à l’éclairement énergétique spectrique des simulateurs solaires.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 17-Sep-2020
• ICS: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION
• ICS: 27.160 - Solar energy engineering
• Technical Committee: TC 82 - Solar photovoltaic energy systems
• Drafting Committee: WG 2 - TC 82/WG 2
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 18-Sep-2020
• Completion Date: 18-Sep-2020

Relations

• Revises: IEC 60904-9:2007 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 9: Solar simulator performance requirements
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60904-9 ®
Edition 3.0 2020-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Photovoltaic devices –
Part 9: Classification of solar simulator characteristics

Dispositifs photovoltaïques –
Partie 9: Classification des caractéristiques des simulateurs solaires

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IEC 60904-9 ®
Edition 3.0 2020-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Photovoltaic devices –
Part 9: Classification of solar simulator characteristics

Dispositifs photovoltaïques –
Partie 9: Classification des caractéristiques des simulateurs solaires

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 27.160 ISBN 978-2-8322-8765-1

– 2 – IEC 60904-9:2020 © IEC 2020
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Classification of solar simulator characteristics . 12
5 Measurement procedures . 13
5.1 Introductory remarks . 13
5.2 Spectral match . 13
5.2.1 General . 13
5.2.2 Apparatus . 13
5.2.3 Procedure . 14
5.2.4 Measurement uncertainty. 15
5.3 Non-uniformity of irradiance in the test plane . 16
5.3.1 General . 16
5.3.2 Apparatus . 16
5.3.3 Procedure . 17
5.3.4 Uncertainty of non-uniformity measurement . 19
5.4 Temporal instability of irradiance . 19
5.4.1 Solar simulators for I-V measurement . 19
5.4.2 Solar simulators for irradiance exposure . 21
5.4.3 Classification for temporal instability . 21
5.4.4 Uncertainty of temporal instability . 22
5.5 AM1.5 spectral coverage (SPC) . 22
5.6 AM1.5 spectral deviation (SPD) . 22
6 Name plate and data sheet . 22
Annex A (informative) Assessment of spectral mismatch error: Sensitivity to spectral
irradiance . 24
A.1 General . 24
A.2 Estimation of spectral mismatch-related uncertainty when the spectral
responsivities are known . 24
A.3 Sensitivity of spectral irradiance for spectral mismatch error when the
variation of spectral responsivities is not known . 25
A.4 Reporting . 28
Bibliography . 29

Figure 1 – Locations for spectral irradiance measurement of a rectangular test area
(left) and a circular test area (right) . 15
Figure 2 – Evaluation of STI for a long pulse solar simulator . 20
Figure 3 – Evaluation of STI for a short pulse solar simulator. 21
Figure A.1 – Virtual spectral responsivity with its dispersions and the modelling
parameters . 25
Figure A.2 – Reference SR curves for typical PV technologies . 27
Figure A.3 – Robustness of spectral irradiance regarding spectral mismatch error . 28

Table 1 – Global reference solar spectral irradiance distribution given in IEC 60904-3
contribution of wavelength intervals to total irradiance in the restricted wavelength
range 400 nm to 1 100 nm . 9
Table 2 – Global reference solar spectral irradiance distribution given in IEC 60904-3
contribution of wavelength intervals to total irradiance in the extended wavelength
range 300 nm to 1 200 nm . 10
Table 3 – Definition of solar simulator classifications . 12
Table A.1 – Reference SR curves for typical PV technologies . 26

– 4 – IEC 60904-9:2020 © IEC 2020
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICES –
Part 9: Classification of solar simulator characteristics

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