IEC TS 63163:2021

Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules for consumer products - Design qualification and type approval

IEC TS 63163:2021 is intended to apply to terrestrial modules for consumer applications for outdoor operation shorter than those qualified to IEC 61215. The useful service life of modules so qualified depends on their design, their environment and the conditions under which they are operated. This document classes those PV modules into Category 1, Category 2, and Category 3 with respectively low, medium and high expected outdoor exposure. This specification is intended to qualify the PV portion of these devices. It may, however, be used as a basis for testing such PV modules, but does not qualify the electronic portion. The purpose of the test sequence is to determine the electrical, thermal, and mechanical durability characteristics of the module, and to show that the module is capable of withstanding outdoor exposure for different outdoor durations designated as “low”, “medium”, and “high”. Mobile and attached applications are considered to require lower mechanical durability than portable applications, which are more prone to mechanical damage.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 13-Sep-2021
• 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: 08-Oct-2021
• Completion Date: 14-Sep-2021

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC TS 63163 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-09
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules for consumer products – Design
qualification and type approval
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IEC TS 63163 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-09
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules for consumer products – Design

qualification and type approval

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 27.160 ISBN 978-2-8322-1024-3

– 2 – IEC TS 63163:2021 © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 7
4 Selection of test samples . 9
5 Marking and documentation . 10
5.1 Nameplate . 10
5.2 Documentation . 11
5.2.1 Minimum requirements . 11
5.2.2 Information to be given in the documentation . 11
5.2.3 Assembly instructions . 12
6 Testing . 12
6.1 General . 12
6.2 Qualification test sequence – Category 1 . 13
6.3 Qualification test sequence – Category 2 . 13
6.4 Qualification test sequence – Category 3 . 15
6.5 Test conditions . 16
7 Pass criteria . 17
7.1 General . 17
7.2 Major visual defects . 18
8 Report . 18
9 Modifications . 19
10 Test procedures . 19
10.1 Visual inspection (CMQT 01) . 19
10.2 Performance at STC (CMQT 06.1) . 19
10.3 Maximum power determination (CMQT 02) . 19
10.4 Outdoor exposure test (CMQT 10.4) . 19
10.5 Hot-spot endurance test (CMQT 10.5) . 19
10.6 UV preconditioning test (CMQT 10.6) . 20
10.7 Thermal cycling test (CMQT 10.7) . 20
10.8 Humidity-freeze test (CMQT 10.8) . 20
10.9 Damp heat test (CMQT 10.9) . 20
10.10 Robustness of terminations test (CMQT 10.10) . 20
10.11 Wet leakage current test (CMQT 10.11) . 20
10.12 Static mechanical load test (CMQT 10.12) . 20
10.13 Bypass diode thermal test (CMQT 13) . 21
10.14 Stabilization (CMQT 10.14) . 21
10.15 Bending test (CMQT 10.15) . 21
10.16 Folding test (CMQT 10.16) . 21
10.16.1 Purpose . 21
10.16.2 Procedure for foldable module . 21
10.16.3 Final inspection . 21
10.16.4 Requirements . 21

10.17 Drop test (CMQT 10.17) . 21
10.17.1 General . 21
10.17.2 Drop the module from 1 m height onto a concrete floor. . 21
10.17.3 Final measurements . 22
10.17.4 Requirements . 22
10.18 Hail test (CMQT 10.18) . 22
10.19 Insulation test (CMQT 10.19) . 22
Annex A (informative) Overview of categories and potential applications . 23

Figure 1 – Geometry that shows radius of curvature of a flexible module . 8
Figure 2 – Qualification test sequence – Category 1 . 13
Figure 3 – Qualification test sequence – Category 2 . 14
Figure 4 – Qualification test sequence – Category 3 . 16
Figure 5 – Drop test . 22

Table 1 – Summary of test levels . 16
Table A.1 – Overview of categories and potential applications . 23

– 4 – IEC TS 63163:2021 © IEC 2021
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
TERRESTRIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) MODULES FOR CONSUMER
PRODUCTS – DESIGN QUALIFICATION AND TYPE APPROVAL

FOREWORD
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IEC TS 63163 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 82: Solar photovoltaic energy
systems.
The text of this document is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
82/1899/DTS 82/1931/RVDTS
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this Technical Specification is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
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The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
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specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
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