oSIST prEN 12975-1:2011

Thermal solar systems and components - Solar collectors - Part 1: General requirements

This European Standard specifies performance requirements for fluid heating collectors with respect to mechanical resistance to climatic loads, fire safety, weather tightness, release of dangerous substances, electrical safety, operating pressure, sound level, thermal output and collector efficiency. Fluids included are anti-freeze fluids, thermo oil, air and water which are not intended for human consumption. The intended use of the solar collector is to heat up the working fluid. This European Standard also includes provisions for evaluation of conformity to these requirements.
This European Standard covers only the solar collector consisting of its components: i.e. absorber, frame, insulation and glazing; It does not cover the fluid.
It is applicable to glazed and unglazed solar collectors, flat plate solar collectors, evacuated tubular solar collectors, concentrating solar collectors, tracking solar collectors and thermal-electrical hybrid solar collectors (so called PVT solar collectors).
It is not applicable to those solar collectors, in which the thermal storage unit is an integral part of the solar collector to such an extent, that the heat production process cannot be separated from the storage process for the purpose of making measurements of these two processes.

Thermische Solaranlagen und ihre Bauteile - Kollektoren - Teil 1: Allgemeine Anforderungen

Diese Europäische Norm legt Leistungsanforderungen an Flüssigkeitskollektoren im Hinblick auf die mechani-sche Widerstandsfähigkeit gegen klimatische Belastungen, die Feuersicherheit, Wetterdichtheit, Freisetzung von gefährlichen Stoffen, elektrische Sicherheit, den Betriebsdruck, den Schallpegel, die Wärmeleistung und den Kollektorwirkungsgrad fest. Zu den abgedeckten Wärmeträgerfluiden gehören Frostschutzmittel, Wärme-trägeröl, Luft und Wasser, die nicht für den menschlichen Verbrauch vorgesehen sind. Der vorgesehene Ver-wendungszweck des Sonnenkollektors ist die Erwärmung des Arbeitsfluids. Diese Europäische Norm enthält auch Vorgaben für die Bewertung der Konformität mit diesen Anforderungen.
Diese Europäische Norm gilt nur für den Sonnenkollektor und seine Bauteile, d. h. den Absorber, den Rah-men, die Dämmung und die Abdeckung. Sie gilt nicht für das Wärmeträgerfluid.
Diese Norm gilt für abgedeckte und unabgedeckte Sonnenkollektoren, Flachkollektoren, Vakuum-Röhrenkol-lektoren, konzentrierende Sonnenkollektoren, nachgeführte Sonnenkollektoren und thermoelektrische Hybrid-kollektoren (sogenannte PVT-Kollektoren).
Die vorliegende Norm ist nicht auf Sonnenkollektoren anwendbar, bei denen der Wärmespeicher in einem sol-chen Maße in den Kollektor integriert ist, dass bei der Durchführung von Messungen der Wärmeerzeugungs-prozess im Kollektor vom Prozess der Wärmespeicherung nicht getrennt werden kann.

Installations solaires thermiques et leurs composants - Capteurs solaires - Partie 1: Exigences générales

La présente Norme européenne spécifie les exigences de performances des capteurs thermiques solaires à circulation de fluide relatives à la résistance mécanique aux charges climatiques, à la sécurité incendie, à la perméabilité à l'eau, au dégagement de substances dangereuses, à la sécurité électrique, à la pression de fonctionnement, au niveau acoustique, à la production thermique et au rendement du capteur. Les fluides inclus sont des fluides antigel, des pétroles thermiques, de l’air et de l’eau non prévu pour la consommation humaine. L’utilisation prévue des capteurs thermiques solaires est de réchauffer un fluide de travail. La présente Norme européenne donne également des dispositions pour l'évaluation de la conformité à ces exigences.
La présente Norme européenne traite uniquement aux capteurs thermiques solaires constitués de ses composants : c’est-à-dire, l’absorbeur, le bâti, l’isolation et le vitrage ; il ne traite pas des fluides.
Elle s’applique aux capteurs thermiques solaires vitrés et non vitrés, aux capteurs thermiques plan, aux capteurs à tube sous vide, aux capteurs thermiques à concentration, aux capteurs thermiques solaires traquant et aux capteurs hybrides thermiques-photovoltaïques (appelés capteurs thermiques PVT).
Elle ne s'applique pas aux capteurs thermiques dont le dispositif de stockage thermique fait partie intégrante dans la mesure où les opérations de production de chaleur et de stockage de l'énergie ne peuvent pas être séparées en vue d'effectuer des mesures nécessaires.

Toplotni sončni sistemi in sestavni deli - Sprejemniki sončne energije - 1. del: Splošne zahteve

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 29-Nov-2011
• ICS: 27.160 - Solar energy engineering
• Technical Committee: TOP - Thermal insulation
• Current Stage: 98 - Abandoned project (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 14-Jul-2014
• Due Date: 19-Jul-2014
• Completion Date: 14-Jul-2014
• Directive: 305/2011 - Regulation (eu) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 march 2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing council directive 89/106/eec
• Directive: 89/106/EEC - Construction products
• Mandate: M/369 - Amendment to: Mandate to CEN/CENELEC concerning the execution of standardisation work for harmonized standards on Space heating appliance and energy capturing appliances
• Ref Project: prEN 12975-1 - Thermal solar systems and components - Solar collectors - Part 1: General requirements

Relations

• Revised: SIST EN 12975-1:2006+A1:2011 - Thermal solar systems and components - Solar collectors - Part 1: General requirements
• Effective Date: 08-Jun-2022
• Revised: SIST EN 12975-1:2006+A1:2011 - Thermal solar systems and components - Solar collectors - Part 1: General requirements
• Effective Date: 14-Aug-2010
• Revised: SIST EN 12975-1:2006 - Thermal solar systems and components - Solar collectors - Part 1: General Requirements
• Effective Date: 12-Jun-2010

Overview

oSIST prEN 12975-1:2011 is a European Standard developed by CEN that establishes general requirements for thermal solar systems and components, specifically focusing on solar collectors used for fluid heating. This standard is essential for ensuring the quality, durability, safety, and performance of solar collectors exposed to various climatic and operational conditions. The scope includes mechanical resistance to climatic loads, fire safety, weather tightness, release of dangerous substances, electrical safety, operating pressure, sound levels, thermal output, and collector efficiency.

Applicable to a wide range of solar collectors including glazed and unglazed, flat plate, evacuated tubular, concentrating, tracking, and thermal-electrical hybrid (PVT) collectors, oSIST prEN 12975-1:2011 defines criteria for design, materials, testing, and conformity evaluation. However, it excludes collectors with integrated thermal storage units where heat production and storage cannot be separately measured.

Key Topics

• Durability and Reliability
  The standard mandates tests such as internal pressure, high temperature resistance, thermal shocks (internal and external), rain penetration, mechanical load, freeze resistance, stagnation temperature, impact resistance, and weather tightness. These assessments ensure that collectors maintain operational integrity throughout their service life.

• Materials and Design
  Guidance on suitable materials and manufacturing processes is provided to resist environmental influences and maintain collector functionality. Annexes detail absorber materials, glazing, insulation, reflectors, and diffusion barriers.

• Safety Requirements
  Fire classification and external fire performance tests ensure compliance with fire safety requirements, while additional clauses cover electrical safety aspects for hybrid collectors.

• Evaluation of Conformity
  Includes initial type testing, factory production control (FPC), product-specific tests, and reporting procedures to verify ongoing compliance with the standard’s performance and safety criteria.

• Testing Procedures
  The standard refers extensively to EN 12975-2 for detailed test methods and includes special provisions for concentrating and tracking collectors.

• Collector Identification and Documentation
  Specifies requirements for drawings, data sheets, labelling, and installer manuals to support traceability, proper installation, and maintenance.

Applications

oSIST prEN 12975-1:2011 serves as a foundational document for manufacturers, installers, and regulators involved in solar thermal energy projects. Its primary applications include:

• Design and Manufacturing: Ensuring solar collectors are built to withstand climatic stresses and perform efficiently.
• Performance Validation: Standardized testing confirms system outputs and operational stability under varying conditions.
• Safety Assurance: Compliance with fire and electrical safety requirements mitigates risks associated with solar collector installations.
• Product Certification and Market Access: Facilitates conformity assessment processes and supports CE marking for solar collectors within the EU and EFTA markets.
• Integration with Building Systems: Guidance on weather tightness and mechanical resistance supports installation in roofs and façades.

This standard is a critical reference for developers of solar thermal technologies aiming to meet European legislative requirements while optimizing thermal fluid heating applications such as water heating, space heating, and industrial process heat.

Related Standards

oSIST prEN 12975-1:2011 references and complements several other essential standards:

• EN 12975-2: Specifies the test methods for solar collectors and is used in conjunction with oSIST prEN 12975-1:2011 for performance evaluation.
• EN ISO 9488: Provides the solar energy vocabulary and definitions necessary for clear technical communication.
• EN 13501-1 & EN 13501-5: Define fire classification testing methodologies crucial for assessing fire safety of building components including solar collectors.
• EN 1027: Details the test methods for water tightness of windows and doors, applied here for assessing collector weather tightness.
• EU Directive 89/106/EEC: This standard supports compliance with the EU Construction Products Directive essential for CE marking and market entry.

Together, these standards form a comprehensive framework for the design, testing, certification, and safe use of solar thermal collectors in Europe.

---

For manufacturers, installers, and inspectors looking to ensure high-quality solar thermal products, oSIST prEN 12975-1:2011 provides the rigorous performance and safety requirements needed to promote reliability, efficiency, and regulatory compliance in solar heating systems.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2011
7RSORWQLVRQþQLVLVWHPLLQVHVWDYQLGHOL6SUHMHPQLNLVRQþQHHQHUJLMHGHO
6SORãQH]DKWHYH
Thermal solar systems and components - Solar collectors - Part 1: General requirements
Thermische Solaranlagen und ihre Bauteile - Kollektoren - Teil 1: Allgemeine
Anforderungen
Installations solaires thermiques et leurs composants - Capteurs solaires - Partie 1:
Exigences générales
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 12975-1
ICS:
27.160 6RQþQDHQHUJLMD Solar energy engineering
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
DRAFT
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2011
ICS 27.160 Will supersede EN 12975-1:2006+A1:2010
English Version
Thermal solar systems and componentsThermal solar systems
and components - Solar collectors - Part 1: General
requirementsGeneral Requirements
Thermische Solaranlagen und ihre Bauteile - Kollektoren -
Teil 1: Allgemeine Anforderungen
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 312.

If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN 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.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language
made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are aware and to
provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without notice and
shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2011 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 12975-1 rev:2011: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword .4
Introduction .5
1 Scope .6
2 Normative references .6
3 Terms and definitions .6
4 Symbols and units .7
5 Durability and reliability .7
5.1 Materials and design .7
5.2 Required tests .7
5.3 Pass criteria .9
5.3.1 General .9
5.3.2 Internal pressure test for fluid channels . 10
5.3.3 High temperature resistance . 10
5.3.4 Exposure . 10
5.3.5 External thermal shock . 10
5.3.6 Internal thermal shock . 10
5.3.7 Rain penetration. 10
5.3.8 Mechanical load test . 11
5.3.9 Thermal performance . 11
5.3.10 Freeze resistance test . 11
5.4 Procedure . 11
5.5 Fire characteristic . 11
5.5.1 Reaction to fire . 11
5.5.2 External fire performance . 11
5.6 Weather tightness (in roof and in façade collectors only) . 11
6 Evaluation of conformity . 11
6.1 General . 11
6.2 Initial Type Testing – Type Testing . 12
6.2.1 General . 12
6.2.2 Test samples, testing and compliance criteria . 12
6.2.3 Test reports . 13
6.3 Factory production control (FPC) . 13
6.3.1 General . 13
6.3.2 Requirements . 13
6.3.3 Product specific requirements . 16
6.3.4 One-off products, pre-production products (e.g. prototypes) and products produced in
very low quantity. 17
7 Safety . 17
8 Collector identification . 18
8.1 Drawings and data sheet . 18
8.2 Labelling . 18
8.3 Installer instruction manual . 18
Annex B (informative) Description of solar collectors materials and manufacture . 20
B.1 General . 20
B.2 Absorbers . 20
B.3 Transparent covers. 21
B.4 Insulation materials . 21

B.5 Reflectors . 21
B.6 Diffusion barriers . 22
Annex C (informative) Environmental protection . 23
C.1 Heat transfer fluid . 23
C.2 Insulation materials . 23
C.3 Recycling of the collector materials . 23
ANNEX D (informative) Tests to be repeated in collector design modifications . 24
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential Requirements
of EU Directive 89/106/EEC . 25
ZA.1 Scope and relevant characteristics . 25
ZA.2 Procedure for attestation of conformity of solar collectors . 26
ZA.2.1 System of attestation of conformity . 26
ZA.2.2 EC Certificate and Declaration of conformity . 27
ZA.3 CE marking and labelling. 28
Bibliography . 30

Foreword
This document (prEN 12975-1:2011) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 312 “Thermal solar
systems and components”, the secretariat of which is held by ELOT.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 12975-1:2006+A1:2010.
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).
For relationship with EU Directive, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this document.
Introduction
In respect of potential adverse effects on the quality of water intended for human consumption, caused by the
product covered by this standard, it is pointed out that:
a) This standard provides no information as to whether the product may be used without restriction
in any of the Member States of the EU or EFTA;

b) It should be noted that, while awaiting the adoption of verifiable European criteria, existing
national regulations concerning the use and/or the characteristics of this product remain in force.
1 Scope
This European Standard specifies requirements on durability (including mechanical strength), reliability and
safety for fluid heating solar collectors. It also includes provisions for evaluation of conformity to these
requirements.
It is not applicable to those collectors, in which the thermal storage unit is an integral part of the collector to
such an extent, that the collection process cannot be separated from the storage process for the purpose of
making measurements of these two processes.
It is also applicable to thermal-electrical hybrid collectors, so called PVT collectors; however it does not cover
electrical safety or other specific properties related to the PV part of these collectors.Collectors that are
custom-built (built in, roof integrated collectors that do not comprise factory made modules and are assembled
directly on the place of installation) cannot be tested in their actual form for durability, reliability and thermal
performance according to this standard. Instead, a module with the same structure as the ready collector is
tested. The module gross area in the case of custom built collectors should be at least 2 m . The test is valid
only for larger collectors, than the tested module.
For collectors the national and European Guidelines for Structural Planning and overhead glazing are not valid.
Therefore this standard should be applied for the design of the static of the collector.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this European Standard. For
dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

Solar energy – Vocabulary (ISO 9488:1999)
EN ISO 9488
Thermal solar systems and components – Solar collectors – Part 2:
EN 12975-2,
Test methods
EN 13501-1 Fire classification of construction products and building elements —
Part 1: Classification using test data from reaction to fire tests
EN 13501-5 Fire classification of construction products and building elements —
Part 5: Classification using test data from external fire exposure to roof
tests
EN 1027 Windows and doors. Water tightness. Test method
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this European Standard, the terms and definitions given in EN ISO 9488
and EN 12975-2 apply.
4 Symbols and units
For the purposes of this European Standard, the symbols and units given in EN ISO 9488 and
EN 12975-2:2006 apply.
5 Durability and reliability
5.1 Materials and design
Information about the materials and manufacture of solar collectors, including the materials they are
manufactured of and their resistance to all influences which they might meet in service, retaining their
operational ability are given in Annex A.
5.2 Required tests
The collector shall be subjected to the following series of tests:
a) Internal pressure for fluid channels (see 5.2 of EN 12975-2:2006);
b) High temperature resistance (see 5.4 of EN 12975-2:2006);
c) Exposure (see 5.5 of EN 12975-2:2006);
d) External thermal shock. May be combined with the high temperature resistance or exposure test (see
5.6 of EN 12975-2:2006);
e) Internal thermal shock. May be combined with the high temperature resistance or exposure test (see
5.7 of EN 12975-2:2006);
f) Rain penetration, only for glazed collectors (see 5.8 of EN 12975-2:2006);
g) Mechanical load (see 5.10 of EN 12975-2:2006);
h) Thermal performance (see Clause 6 of EN 12975-2:2006);
i) Freeze resistance, only in the cases specified in 5.9 of EN 12975-2:2006;
j) Stagnation temperature (see Annex C of EN 12975-2:2006). May be combined with the high
temperature resistance or exposure test.
k) Pressure drop (mandatory for air heating collectors)
l) Leakage test (mandatory for air heating collectors)
m) Impact resistance test (see 5.11 of EN 12975-2:2006);
n) Reaction to fire (see 5.5.1 of EN 12975-1:2006+A1:2010);
o) External fire performance (see 5.5.2 of EN 12975-1:2006+A1:2010);
p) Weather tightness (see 5.6 of EN 12975-1:2006+A1:2010);
q) Final inspection (see 5.12 of EN 12975-2:2006).
For several of the tests a) to j) special considerations are required when applying them to tracking
concentrating collectors. For guidance in this matter, please refer to informative Annex M of EN 12975-2.

Table 5.1 Sequence of tests in EN 12975
Test list Variations/ Required test
sequence(s)
Comments
before test
Metallic None
ĂͿ /ŶƚĞƌŶĂůƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞ
Polymeric Full exposure, see
5.3.4
may be combined with none
ďͿ ,ŝŐŚ
c, d, e , j
ƚĞŵƉĞƌĂƚƵƌĞ
ƌĞƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞƚĞƐƚ
may be combined with none
ĐͿ ĞdžƉŽƐƵƌĞ
b, d, e , j
may be combined with None
ĚͿ ĞdžƚĞƌŶĂůƐŚŽĐŬ
c, b, e , j
May be combined with None
ĞͿ ŝŶƚĞƌŶĂůƐŚŽĐŬ
c, d, b , j
Pre-conditioning or
ĨͿ ƌĂŝŶƉĞŶĞƚƌĂƚŝŽŶ
full exposure, see
5.3.4
Pre-conditioning or
ŐͿ ŵĞĐŚĂŶŝĐĂůůŽĂĚ
full exposure, see
5.3.4
New collector shall be 5 h exposure
ŚͿ ƚŚĞƌŵĂů
used but it is also
ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ
allowed to perform it
after additional
sequences like
exposure have been
carried out
Pre-conditioning or
ŝͿ ĨƌĞĞnjĞƌĞƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ
full exposure, see
5.3.4
ũͿ ^ƚĂŐŶĂƚŝŽŶ
A.1.1.1.1 may be A.1.1.1.2 None
ƚĞŵƉĞƌĂƚƵƌĞ
combined with b) or c)
Pre-conditioning or
ŬͿ WƌĞƐƐƵƌĞ
full exposure, see
ĚƌŽƉ
5.3.4
Pre-conditioning or
ůͿ >ĞĂŬĂŐĞƚĞƐƚ
full exposure, see
5.3.4
Pre-conditioning or
ŵͿ /ŵƉĂĐƚƚĞƐƚ
full exposure if
polymer cover, see
5.3.4
ŶͿ ZĞĂĐƚŝŽŶƚŽĨŝƌĞ
ŽͿ džƚĞƌŶĂůĨŝƌĞ
ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ
Pre-conditioning or
ƉͿ tĞĂƚŚĞƌ
full exposure, see
ƚŝŐŚƚŶĞƐƐ
5.3.4
Always after the full
ƋͿ &ŝŶĂůŝŶƐƉĞĐƚŝŽŶ
exposure (after any
tests the exposure may
have been combined
with).
After rain test if
weighing is not applied
or gives a “fail”
judgement.
The requested tests and assessments before and after testing are equal for initial testing and for re-testing.
NOTE Regarding the durability and reliability of elastic materials refer to ISO 9808:1990 Solar water
heaters-Elastomeric materials for absorbers, connecting pipes and fittings-Method of assessment and ISO
9553:1997 Solar energy-Methods of testing preformed rubber seals and sealing compounds used in collectors
5.3 Pass criteria
5.3.1 General
The pass criteria for the reliability tests are given for each test in 5.3.2 to 5.3.10. The term "no major failure",
denotes that none of the following occurs:
- Fluid channel leakage (in case of liquid heating collectors only) or such deformation that
permanent contact between absorber and cover is established;
- Breaking or permanent deformation of cover or cover fixing;
- Breaking or permanent deformation of collector fixing points or collector box;
- Vacuum loss, such that vacuum or subatmospheric collectors shall be classified according to the
definition in EN ISO 9488 (only applicable for vacuum and subatmospheric collectors);
- Accumulation of humidity in form of condensate on the inside of the transparent cover of the
collector exceeding 10 % of the aperture area. In case of an open loop air heating collector for
limited periods of time this criterion maybe exceeded.
NOTE The evaluation of accumulation of humidity for application of the pass criteria should be applied only on the
following tests :
- External Thermal Shock
5.3.2 Internal pressure test for fluid channels
The test pressure shall be as specified in 5.2 of EN 12975-2:2006. In the case of fluid channels made of
organic materials, climate conditions according to Table 2 of EN 12975-2:2006 shall be applied. After the
internal pressure test, the collector shall not show any major failure as defined in 5.3.1.
5.3.3 High temperature resistance
When tested in accordance with 5.4 of EN 12975-2:2006, the collector shall not show any major failure as
defined in 5.3.1.
5.3.4 Exposure
When tested in accordance with 5.5 of EN 12975-2:2006, the collector shall not show any major failure
according to 5.3.1 and none of each potential problems of their components shall be graded 2 on the scale
given in B.5.5 of EN 12975-2:2006.
5.3.5 External thermal shock
When tested in accordance with 5.6 of EN 12975-2:2006, the collector shall not show any major failure as
defined in 5.3.1.
5.3.6 Internal thermal shock
When tested in accordance with 5.6 of EN 12975-2:2006, the collector shall not show any major failure as
defined in 5.3.1.
5.3.7 Rain penetration
NOTE This test is applicable only for glazed collectors.
When tested in accordance with 5.8 of EN 12975-2:2006, the collector shall not show any major failure as
defined in 5.3.1.
5.3.8 Mechanical load test
When tested in accordance with 5.10 of EN 12975-2:2006 the cover, the collector box and the fixings between
collector box and mounting system shall not show any major failure as defined in 5.3.1 and 5.9.1.3 of EN
12975-2:2006. The permissible and the maximum positive and negative pressure shall be recorded in the
installer manual.
NOTE Individual country’s safety requirements may prevail.
5.3.9 Thermal performance
When tested in accordance with Clause 6 of EN 12975-2:2006, the collector shall not show any major failure
as defined in 5.3.1. Thermal performance shall be reported. For PVT collectors also the operating mode of the
electrical loop (open/ closed circuit or MPP tracked) shall be reported.
5.3.10 Freeze resistance test
This test shall be carried out only in the cases specified in 5.9.1 of EN 12975-2:2006. The pass criterion is no
major failure as defined in 5.3.1 after three freeze-thaw cycles.
5.4 Procedure
The required number of collectors shall be available for testing. The collectors shall be tested in accordance
with 5.2. The collectors conform to this standard, only if all pass criteria are fulfilled.
Freeze resistance shall be tested, for collectors which the manufacturer claims can withstand freezing and
freeze/thaw cycling or if the collector contains fluids with the risk of freezing (like e.g. within some heat
pipes).and which are not intended to be filled with antifreeze fluids or air.
5.5 Fire characteristic
5.5.1 Reaction to fire
If necessary the materials used in solar collectors shall be tested and classified in accordance with EN 13501-
1.
5.5.2 External fire performance
If necessary in roof collectors shall be tested and classified in accordance with EN 13501-5.
5.6 Weather tightness (in roof and in façade collectors only)
In case of an in roof or in façade installation of the collector a test sample composed of collector, roof (façade)
segment and mounting kit shall be subject to the test according to 5.3.7 or EN 1027. A visual check shall not
show any water ingress caused by the mounting kit.
6 Evaluation of conformity
6.1 General
The compliance of solar collectors with the requirements of this standard and with the declared values
(including classes) shall be demonstrated by:
- Initial Type Testing;
- Factory production control by the manufacturer, including product assessment.
The manufacturer shall always retain the overall control and shall have the necessary means to take responsibility for the
product.
6.2 Initial Type Testing – Type Testing
6.2.1 General
Initial Type Testing and Type Testing shall be performed to demonstrate compliance with this European
standard.
All essential characteristics for which the manufacturer declares performances are subject to Initial Type
Testing. In addition, the need to perform Type Tests applies to all other characteristics included in a standard
when the manufacturer claims compliance, unless the standard gives provisions (e.g. use of previously
existing data, CWFT and conventionally accepted performance) for declaring performances without
performing tests.
Tests previously performed in accordance with the provisions of this standard, may be taken into account
provided that they were made to the same or a more rigorous test method, under the same system of
attestation of conformity on the same product or products of similar design, construction and functionality,
such that the results are applicable to the product in question.
Note 1 Same system of attestation of conformity means testing by an independent third party.
 For the purposes of testing, the manufacturer's products may be grouped into families, where it is
considered that the results for one or more characteristics from any one product within the family are
representative for that same characteristics for all products within that same family (a product may be in
different families for different characteristics).
Note 2 Products may be in different families for different characteristics.
Note 3 Reference to the test method standards should be made to allow the selection of a suitable representative sample.
In addition, Type Tests or Initial Type Testing shall be performed for all characteristics included in the
standard for which the manufacturer declares performances:
- at the beginning of the production of a new or modified solar collector (unless a member of the same
family), or
- at the beginning of a new or modified method of production (where this may affect the stated properties); or
they shall be repeated for the appropriate characteristic(s), whenever a change occurs in the solar collector
design, in the raw material or in the supplier of the components, or in the production process (subject to the
definition of a family), which would affect significantly one or more of the characteristics.
Where components are used whose characteristics have already been determined, by the component
manufacturer, on the basis of compliance with other product standards, these characteristics need not be re-
assessed. The specifications of these components shall be documented, as shall be included in the inspection
scheme for ensuring their compliance.
Products marked in accordance with appropriate harmonized European specifications may be presumed to
have the performances stated with that marking, although this does not replace the responsibility on the solar
collector designer to ensure that the solar collector as a whole is correctly designed and its component
products have the necessary performance values to meet the design.
6.2.2 Test samples, testing and compliance criteria
The number of samples of solar collectors to be tested/ assessed shall be in accordance with Table A.
Table A — Number of samples to be tested and compliance criteria

Assessment No. of
Characteristic Requirement Compliance criteria
method samples
Mechanical
resistance to
5.3.1 5.3.8 1 5.3.1
climatic loads
(wind, snow…)
Fire safety 5.3.1 5.5 1 5.3.1
Weather
tightness
(when relevant
– i.e. for roof
5.3.1 5.6 1 5.3.1
integrated or
façade
integrated
collectors
6.2.3 Test reports
All Type Tests, and/or Initial Type Tests and their results shall be documented in test reports. All test reports
shall be retained by the manufacturer for at least 10 years after the last date of production of the solar
collectors to which they relate.
6.3 Factory production control (FPC)
6.3.1 General
The manufacturer shall establish, document and maintain an FPC system to ensure that the products placed
on the market comply with the declared performance of the characteristics.
The FPC system shall consist of procedures, regular inspections and tests and/or assessments and the use of
the results to control raw and other incoming materials or components, equipment, the production process and
the product. All the elements, requirements and provisions adopted by the manufacturer shall be documented
in a systematic manner in the form of written policies and procedures.
This production control system documentation shall ensure a common understanding of conformity evaluation
and enable the achievement of the required product characteristics and the effective operation of the
production control system to be checked. Factory production control therefore brings together operational
techniques and all measures allowing maintenance and control of the compliance of the product with this
European standard.
6.3.2 Requirements
6.3.2.1 General
The manufacturer is responsible for organizing the effective implementation of the FPC system. Tasks and
responsibilities in the production control organization shall be documented and this documentation shall be
kept up-to-date.
The responsibility, authority and the relationship between personnel that manages, performs or verifies work
affecting product conformity, shall be defined. This applies in particular to personnel that needs to initiate
actions preventing product non-conformities from occurring, actions in case of non-conformities and to identify
and register product conformity problems. Personnel performing work affecting product conformity shall be
competent on the basis of appropriate education, training, skills and experience for which records shall be
maintained.
In each factory the manufacturer may delegate the action to a person having the necessary authority to:
− identify procedures to demonstrate conformity of the product at appropriate stages;
− identify and record any instance of non-conformity;
− identify procedures to correct instances of non-conformity.
The manufacturer shall draw up and keep up-to-date documents defining the factory production control. The
manufacturer's documentation and procedures should be appropriate to the product and manufacturing
process. The FPC system should achieve an appropriate level of confidence in the conformity of the product.
This involves:
a) the preparation of documented procedures and instructions relating to factory production control
operations, in accordance with the requirements of the technical specification to which reference is
made;
b) the effective implementation of these procedures and instructions;
c) the recording of these operations and their results;
d) the use of these results to correct any deviations, repair the effects of such deviations, treat any resulting
instances of non-conformity and, if necessary, revise the FPC to rectify the cause of non-conformity.
Where subcontracting takes place, the manufacturer shall retain the overall control of the product and ensure
that he receives all the information that is necessary to fulfill his responsibilities according to this European
Standard.
If the manufacturer has part of the product designed, manufactured, assembled, packed, processed and/or
labeled by subcontracting, the FPC of the subcontractor may be taken into account, where appropriate for the
product in question.
The manufacturer who subcontracts all of his activities may in no circumstances pass these responsibilities on to a
subcontractor.
NOTE - Manufacturers having an FPC system, which complies with EN ISO 9000 series standard and which addresses
the requirements of this European standard are recognized as satisfying the FPC requirements of the Council Directive
89/106/EEC.
6.3.2.2 Equipment
6.3.2.2.1 Testing
All weighing, measuring and testing equipment shall be calibrated and regularly inspected according to
documented procedures, frequencies and criteria.
6.3.2.2.2 Manufacturing
All equipment used in the manufacturing process shall be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure use,
wear or failure does not cause inconsistency in the manufacturing process. Inspections and maintenance shall
be carried out and recorded in accordance with the manufacturer’s written procedures and the records
retained for the period defined in the manufacturer's FPC procedures.
6.3.2.3 Raw materials and components
The specifications of all incoming raw materials and components shall be documented, as shall the inspection
scheme for ensuring their compliance. In case supplied kit components are used, the attestation of conformity
level of the component shall be that given in the appropriate harmonised technical specification for that
component.
6.3.2.4 Design process
The factory production control system shall document the various stages in the design of products, identify the
checking procedure and those individuals responsible for all stages of design. During the design process itself,
a record shall be kept of all checks, their results, and any corrective actions taken.
This record shall be sufficiently detailed and accurate to demonstrate that all stages of the design phase, and
all checks, have been carried out satisfactorily.
6.3.2.5 Traceability and marking
Individual collectors and their main components (if applicable); Cover sheet, absorber, insulation, reflector,
polymer sealings and gaskets and heat pipes shall be identifiable and traceable with regard to their production
origin. The manufacturer shall have written procedures ensuring that processes related to affixing traceability
codes and/or markings are inspected regularly.
6.3.2.6 Controls during manufacturing process
The manufacturer shall plan and carry out production under controlled conditions.
6.3.2.7 Product testing and evaluation
The manufacturer shall establish procedures to ensure that the stated values of the characteristics he
declares are maintained. The characteristics, and the means of control, are:
- Mechanical resistance to climatic loads (wind, snow…) shall be subject to the tests indicated in clause
5.3.8, at least every five years and in case of changes in design etc., as referred in paragraph 6.2.1.
- Fire safety shall be subject to the tests indicated in clause 5.5, at least once and in case of changes in
design etc., as referred in paragraph 6.2.1.
- Weather tightness (when relevant – i.e. for roof integrated or façade integrated collectors shall be subject
to the tests indicated in clause 5.6, at least every five years and in case of changes in design etc., as
referred in paragraph 6.2.1.
6.3.2.8 Non-complying products
The manufacturer shall have written procedures which specify how non-complying products shall be dealt with.
Any such events shall be recorded as they occur and these records shall be kept for the period defined in the
manufacturer’s written procedures.
6.3.2.9 Corrective action
The manufacturer shall have documented procedures that instigate action to eliminate the cause of non-conformities in
order to prevent recurrence.
6.3.2.10 Handling, storage and packaging
The manufacturer shall have procedures providing methods of product handling and shall provide suitable
storage areas preventing damage or deterioration.
6.3.3 Product specific requirements
The FPC system shall:
- address this European Standard
and
- ensure that the products placed on the market comply with the declared performance characteristics.
The FPC system shall include a product specific FPC, which identifies procedures to demonstrate compliance
of the product at appropriate stages, i.e.:
a) the controls and tests to be carried out prior to and/or during manufacture according to a frequency laid
down in the FPC test plan,
and/or
b) the verifications and tests to be carried out on finished products according to a frequency laid down in the
FPC test plan
If the manufacturer uses only finished products, the operations under b) shall lead to an equivalent level of
compliance of the product as if FPC had been carried out during the production.
If the manufacturer carries out parts of the production himself, the operations under b) may be reduced and
partly replaced by operations under a). Generally, the more parts of the production that are carried out by the
manufacturer, the more operations under b) may be replaced by operations under a).
In any case the operation shall lead to an equivalent level of compliance of the product as if FPC had been
carried out during the production.
NOTE: Depending on the specific case, it can be necessary to carry out the operations referred to under a) and b), only
the operations under a) or only those under b).
The operations under a) refer to the intermediate states of the product as on manufacturing machines and
their adjustment, and measuring equipment etc. These controls and tests and their frequency shall be chosen
based on product type and composition, the manufacturing process and its complexity, the sensitivity of
product features to variations in manufacturing parameters etc.
The manufacturer shall establish and maintain records that provide evidence that the production has been
sampled and tested. These records shall show clearly whether the production has satisfied the defined
acceptance criteria and shall be available for at least three years.
Where the product fails to satisfy the acceptance measures, the provisions for non-complying products shall
apply, the necessary corrective action shall immediately be taken and the products or batches not complying
shall be isolated and properly identified.
Once the fault has been corrected, the test or verification in question shall be repeated.
The results of controls and tests shall be properly recorded. The product description, date of manufacture, test
method adopted, test results and acceptance criteria shall be entered in the records under the signature of the
person responsible for the control/test.
With regard to any control result not meeting the requirements of this European standard, the corrective
measures taken to rectify the situation (e.g. a further test carried out, modification of manufacturing process,
throwing away or putting right of product) shall be indicated in the records.
Individual products or batches of products and the related manufacturing documentation shall be completely
identifiable and retraceable.
6.3.4 One-off products, pre-production products (e.g. prototypes) and products produced in very
low quantity
The solar collector produced as a one-off, prototypes assessed before full production is established, and
products produced in very low quantities (< 500 pieces per year) shall be assessed as follows.
rd
For type assessment, the provisions of 6.2.1, 3 paragraph apply, together with the following additional
provisions:
- in case of prototypes, the test samples shall be representative of the intended future production and shall
be selected by the manufacturer;
- on request of the manufacturer, the results of the type assessment of prototype samples may be included
in a certificate or in test reports issued by the involved third party.
The FPC system of one-off products and products produced in very low quantities shall ensure that raw
materials and/or components are sufficient for production of the product. The provisions on raw materials and/or
components shall apply only where appropriate. The manufacturer shall maintain records allowing traceability of
the product.
For prototypes, where the intention is to move to series production, the initial inspection of the factory and
FPC shall be carried out before the production is already running and/or before the FPC is already in practice.
The following shall be assessed:
 - the FPC-documentation; and
 - the factory.
In the initial assessment of the factory and FPC it shall be verified:
a) that all resources necessary for the achievement of the product characteristics required by this European
standard will be available, and
b) that the FPC-procedures in accordance with the FPC-documentation will be implemented and followed in
practice, and
c) that procedures are in place to demonstrate that the factory production processes can produce a product
complying with the requirements of this European standard and that the product will be the same as the
initial type testing/type testing samples, for which compliance with this European standard has been
verified.
Once series production is fully established, the provisions of clause 6.3 shall apply.
7 Safety
The maximum fluid temperature to be considered in the design of a solar collector or solar plant is the
collector stagnation temperature. Materials to be used in the manufacture of collectors or installations
incorporating the collector (expansion tanks, safety valves, etc.) shall be chosen taking into account this
temperature.
The stagnation temperature shall be calculated in accordance with Annex C of EN 12975-2:2006 under the
following climate parameters:
- Hemispherical irradiance on collector plane 1000 W/m²;
- Surrounding air temperature 30 ºC.
-Wind velocity < 1 m/s if wind speed dependence was determined
Stagnation temperature (see Annex C of EN 12975-2:2006) may be combined with the high temperature
resistance or exposure test.
The collector shall provide for safe installation and mounting. Sharp edges, loose connections and other
potentially dangerous features shall be avoided. If the weight of the empty collector exceeds 60 kg, an
anchorage for a lifting device shall be included, except for the collectors that are assembled on the roof.
Collectors filled with a heat transfer fluid irritant to human skin or eyes, or toxic, shall carry a warning label.
8 Collector identification
8.1 Drawings and data sheet
The collector submitted for test shall be accompanied by a set of drawings describing the collector's
dimensions and structure along with a list of materials used in the collector and important physical and optical
properties as well as by the solar collector description in D.2 or E.2 of EN 12975-2:2006. Drawings shall have
a number, date of issue and possible revision date. These documents shall be filled by the te
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