IEC TS 62257-9-8:2025
(Main)Renewable energy off-grid systems - Part 9-8: Integrated systems - Requirements for stand-alone renewable energy products with power ratings less than or equal to 350 W
Renewable energy off-grid systems - Part 9-8: Integrated systems - Requirements for stand-alone renewable energy products with power ratings less than or equal to 350 W
IEC TS 62257-9-8:2025 provides baseline requirements for quality, durability and truth in advertising to protect consumers of off-grid renewable energy products. Evaluation of these requirements is based on tests described in IEC TS 62257-9-5. This document can be used alone or in conjunction with other international standards that address the safety and durability of components of off-grid renewable energy products.
This document applies to stand-alone renewable energy products having the following characteristics:
- The products are powered by photovoltaic (PV) modules or electromechanical power generating devices (such as dynamos), or are designed to use grid electricity to charge a battery or other energy-storage device for off-grid use. The requirements may also be appropriate as guidance for evaluating the quality of products with other power sources, such as thermoelectric generators.
- The peak power rating of the PV module or other power generating device is less than or equal to 350 W.
- The system evaluated includes all the loads (lighting, television, radio, fan, etc.) and load adapter cables that are sold or included as part of the kit or integrated into kit components.
- The PV module maximum power point voltage and the working voltage of any other components in the kit do not exceed 35 V. Exceptions are made for AC-to-DC converters that meet appropriate safety standards, and systems that include PV modules (or combinations of PV modules) with open-circuit voltage greater than 35 V that meet additional safety requirements beyond those assessed in IEC TS 62257-9-5.
This document includes provisions related to safety; however, it is not intended to be a comprehensive safety standard. In particular, this document is not intended to be used as an alternative to safety standards such as IEC 62368-1 or the IEC 60335 series for appliances such as radios and televisions that are included with stand-alone renewable energy products. Nor is it intended to replace the safety requirements of IEC 62281 or UN 38.3 for battery safety during transport, or safety requirements of IEC 61730-1 and IEC 61730-2 for PV modules intended for use outside the context of stand-alone renewable energy products.
Systèmes à énergie renouvelable et systèmes hybrides destinés à l'électrification rurale - Partie 9-8: Systèmes intégrés - Exigences applicables aux produits à énergie renouvelable autonomes d'une puissance assignée inférieure ou égale à 350 W
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IEC TS 62257-9-8 ®
Edition 2.0 2025-01
REDLINE VERSION
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
colour
inside
Renewable energy and hybrid systems for rural electrification off-grid systems –
Part 9-8: Integrated systems – Requirements for stand-alone renewable energy
products with power ratings less than or equal to 350 W
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IEC TS 62257-9-8 ®
Edition 2.0 2025-01
REDLINE VERSION
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
colour
inside
Renewable energy and hybrid systems for rural electrification off-grid systems
Part 9-8: Integrated systems – Requirements for stand-alone renewable energy
products with power ratings less than or equal to 350 W
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 27.160 ISBN 978-2-8327-0145-4
– 2 – IEC TS 62257-9-8:2025 RLV © IEC 2025
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION . 8
1 Scope . 9
2 Normative references . 10
3 Terms and definitions . 12
3.1 Terms related to photometric tests . 12
3.7 Component categories . 13
3.8 Electrical quantities . 14
3.9 Component categories and types, and related terms . 15
3.10 Types of connections and connecting devices . 17
4 Test requirements . 19
4.1 General . 19
4.1.1 Overview . 19
4.1.2 Product sizes . 20
4.2 Initial testing requirements . 22
4.2.1 General . 22
4.2.2 Quality test method . 22
4.2.3 Accelerated verification method . 22
4.2.4 Pay-as-you-go targeted testing . 23
4.2.5 Product families . 24
4.2.6 Similar products . 24
4.2.7 Verification of product identicality . 25
4.2.8 Reference to other standards . 26
4.3 Recurring testing requirements . 27
4.4 Retesting of non-conforming products . 28
4.5 General testing requirements applicable to all testing pathways . 28
4.5.1 General . 28
4.5.2 Exception for accessory lights . 29
4.5.3 Accessories with batteries . 29
5 Quality requirements . 29
5.1 General . 29
5.2 Truth in advertising . 31
5.2.1 General . 31
5.2.2 Assessment of run time values . 32
5.2.3 Information and performance reporting requirements . 34
5.2.4 Fee-for service or pay-as-you-go (PAYG) metering requirements . 40
5.2.5 Included appliances requirements . 40
5.2.6 Assessment of ingress protection advertisements . 40
5.2.7 Evaluation of advertised charging time . 41
5.3 Ports requirements. 42
5.3.1 General . 42
5.3.2 Voltage converters . 42
5.3.3 Ports with multiple output voltages . 43
5.3.4 Appliance voltage compatibility requirements . 43
5.3.5 Truth-in-advertising requirements . 43
5.3.6 Functionality requirements . 44
5.4 Lumen maintenance . 49
5.5 Health and safety . 50
5.5.1 AC-DC power supply safety . 50
5.5.2 Hazardous substances . 51
5.5.3 Overload protection . 51
5.5.4 Wiring and connector safety . 51
5.5.5 Additional tests for PV modules . 52
5.5.6 Requirements for systems with large PV modules or arrays . 55
5.6 Battery requirements . 56
5.6.1 Provision of battery specification sheets . 56
5.6.2 Battery charge control . 56
5.6.3 Specific requirements for lithium-based batteries . 58
5.6.4 Battery durability . 60
5.6.5 Authentication of battery documents . 60
5.7 Quality and durability . 61
5.7.1 General . 61
5.7.2 Physical and water ingress protection . 61
5.7.3 Drop test requirements . 64
5.7.4 Soldering and electronics quality . 66
5.7.5 Switch, gooseneck, connector, and moving parts durability . 66
5.7.6 Strain relief durability . 67
5.7.7 Outdoor cable durability (size B products only) . 68
5.7.8 PV overvoltage requirement . 69
5.7.9 Miswiring protection requirement . 69
5.7.10 Requirements specific to systems with non‑plug‑and‑play connections . 69
5.8 Consumer information . 72
5.8.1 Warranty requirements . 72
5.8.2 Date of manufacture . 72
5.8.3 User manual requirements (size B products only) . 73
5.8.4 Component replacement methods (size B products only) . 74
5.8.5 Port information requirements . 75
Annex A (normative) Testing of similar products . 78
A.1 General . 78
A.2 Guidelines . 78
A.2.1 Visual screening . 78
A.2.2 Lumen maintenance and light output . 78
A.2.3 Charge controller testing. 79
A.2.4 PV modules . 79
A.2.5 Battery durability testing . 79
A.2.6 Connector durability testing . 79
A.2.7 Battery testing, full-battery run time, solar run time, and energy service
calculations . 80
A.2.8 Miswiring protection . 80
A.2.9 Output overload . 80
A.2.10 PV overvoltage . 80
A.2.11 Assessment of DC ports . 81
A.2.12 Power consumption and charging efficiency. 81
A.2.13 Voltage range . 81
A.2.14 Changes to firmware or software . 81
– 4 – IEC TS 62257-9-8:2025 RLV © IEC 2025
Annex B (normative) Partial shading test for photovoltaic modules .
B.1 General .
B.2 Equip
...
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