SIST EN IEC 61701:2020

Salt mist corrosion testing of photovoltaic (PV) modules

IEC 61701:2020 describes test sequences useful to determine the resistance of different PV modules to corrosion from salt mist containing Cl (NaCl, MgCl2, etc.). All tests included in the sequences are fully described in IEC 61215‑2, IEC 62108, IEC 61730‑2 and IEC 60068‑2‑52. The bypass diode functionality test in this document is modified from its description in IEC 61215‑2. They are combined in this document to provide means to evaluate possible faults caused in PV modules when operating under wet atmospheres having high concentration of dissolved salt (NaCl). Depending on the specific nature of the surrounding atmosphere to which the module is exposed in real operation several testing methods can be applied, as defined in IEC 60068‑2‑52. Guidance for determining the applicability of this document and selecting an appropriate method is provided in Annex A.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition issued in 2011. The main technical changes with respect to the previous edition are as follows:
- The scope has been updated to better reflect the applicability of the Standard
- Test methods and requirements have been condensed and aligned with the new editions of IEC 61215-1, IEC 61215-2, and IEC 61730-2. References to crystalline silicon versus thin film technologies have been eliminated. The old Figure 2 on the thin film test sequence has been eliminated.
- The salt mist test references have been updated to harmonize with changes to IEC 60068‑2‑52.
- A normative annex has been added to provide guidance on which of the test methods in IEC 60068-2-52 are applicable to different applications. This includes references to new test methods in the latest edition of IEC 60068-2-52.

Salznebel-Korrosionsprüfung von photovoltaischen (PV-)Modulen

Essai de corrosion au brouillard salin des modules photovoltaïques (PV)

l’IEC 61701:2020 décrit des séquences d'essai utiles pour déterminer la résistance de différents modules photovoltaïques à la corrosion due au brouillard salin contenant du Cl- (NaCl, MgCl2, etc.). Tous les essais inclus dans les séquences sont décrits de façon détaillée dans les normes IEC 61215‑2, IEC 62108, IEC 61730‑2 et IEC 60068‑2‑52. L’essai de fonctionnalité des diodes de dérivation du présent document est modifié par rapport à sa description dans l’IEC 61215‑2. Les essais sont combinés dans le présent document pour fournir des moyens d'évaluer les pannes possibles causées dans les modules photovoltaïques qui fonctionnent en atmosphères humides avec une forte concentration de sels dissous (NaCl). En fonction de la nature spécifique de l'atmosphère environnante à laquelle le module est exposé en fonctionnement réel, plusieurs méthodes d'essai peuvent être appliquées comme cela est défini dans l’IEC 60068‑2‑52. Des recommandations pour la détermination de l’applicabilité du présent document et le choix d’une méthode appropriée sont données à l’Annexe A.
Cette troisième édition annule et remplace la deuxième édition parue en 2011. Les principales modifications techniques par rapport à l'édition précédente sont les suivantes:
- Le domaine d'application a été mis à jour pour mieux refléter les conditions d'application de la Norme.
- Les méthodes et exigences d’essai ont été condensées et alignées sur les nouvelles éditions de l’IEC 61215-1, de l’IEC 61215-2 et de l’IEC 61730-2. Les références au silicium cristallin en rapport avec les technologies à couches minces ont été supprimées. L’ancienne Figure 2 relative à la séquence d’essai en couches minces a été supprimée.
- Les références à l’essai au brouillard salin ont été mises à jour afin de les aligner sur les modifications de l’IEC 60068-2-52.
- Une annexe normative a été ajoutée afin de fournir des recommandations relatives aux méthodes d'essai de l’IEC 60068-2-52 applicables aux différentes applications. Elle comprend des références aux nouvelles méthodes d'essai de la dernière édition de l’IEC 60068-2-52.

Korozijsko preskušanje fotonapetostnih (PV) modulov v slani megli

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 09-Sep-2020
• ICS: 27.160 - Solar energy engineering
• Technical Committee: PVS - Solar photovoltaic energy systems
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 07-Sep-2020
• Due Date: 12-Nov-2020
• Completion Date: 10-Sep-2020
• Ref Project: EN IEC 61701:2020 - Photovoltaic (PV) modules - Salt mist corrosion testing

Relations

• Replaces: SIST EN 61701:2012 - Salt mist corrosion testing of photovoltaic (PV) modules
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2020

Overview

EN IEC 61701:2020 - issued by CLC and based on IEC 61701:2020 - defines salt mist corrosion testing sequences for photovoltaic (PV) modules. The standard specifies how to evaluate PV module resistance to corrosion from salt-containing mist (NaCl, MgCl2, etc.) found in marine/coastal and other salt-laden wet atmospheres. It combines test procedures referenced in IEC 61215-2, IEC 62108, IEC 61730-2 and IEC 60068-2-52, and adds a modified bypass diode functionality test and a normative Annex A to guide selection of appropriate salt-mist methods.

Key Topics

• Scope and applicability
  • Applies to flat-plate and concentrator PV modules and assemblies exposed to corrosive wet atmospheres.
  • Third edition supersedes EN 61701:2012 and aligns test methods with updated IEC standards.
• Test sequences and procedures
  • Salt mist test procedure, stabilization, cleaning/recovery and pre/post measurements.
  • Specific sequences for non-concentrator and concentrator (CPV) modules.
• Bypass diode functionality
  • Modified test to verify diode performance after salt mist exposure (derived from IEC 61215-2).
• Requirements and reporting
  • Pass/fail criteria, documented measurements and required test report content.
• Guidance Annex (Annex A)
  • Normative guidance for selecting appropriate IEC 60068-2-52 test methods (methods 1–8) based on real-world corrosivity and ISO 9223 corrosivity classifications.

Applications

EN IEC 61701:2020 is used to:

• Qualify PV modules for marine/coastal installations, offshore arrays, and locations exposed to road salt or salt spray.
• Support type approval, design qualification and quality control during manufacturing.
• Inform procurement and specification documents for developers, EPC contractors and asset owners concerned with long-term module durability.
• Provide test labs and certification bodies with harmonized procedures for salt mist corrosion testing and reporting.

Who Should Use This Standard

• PV module manufacturers and R&D teams
• Accredited environmental and PV test laboratories
• Certification and conformity assessment bodies
• System integrators, project developers and O&M teams specifying modules for corrosive environments
• Standards committees and procurement officers assessing module suitability

Related Standards

• IEC 60068-2-52 (Salt mist, cyclic)
• IEC 61215-1 / IEC 61215-2 (Design qualification for terrestrial PV)
• IEC 61730-2 (PV module safety testing)
• IEC 62108 (CPV modules)
• ISO 9223 / ISO 9227 (Atmospheric corrosivity and salt spray tests)

Keywords: EN IEC 61701:2020, salt mist corrosion testing, PV modules, photovoltaic modules, marine environment, IEC 60068-2-52, bypass diode test, corrosion resistance.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2020
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 61701:2012
Korozijsko preskušanje fotonapetostnih (PV) modulov v slani megli
Salt mist corrosion testing of photovoltaic (PV) modules
Salznebel-Korrosionsprüfung von photovoltaischen (PV-)Modulen
Essai de corrosion au brouillard salin des modules photovoltaïques (PV)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 61701:2020
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 61701

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
August 2020
ICS 27.160 Supersedes EN 61701:2012 and all of its amendments
and corrigenda (if any)
English Version
Photovoltaic (PV) modules - Salt mist corrosion testing
(IEC 61701:2020)
Modules photovoltaïques (PV) - Essai de corrosion au Photovoltaik (PV-)Module - Salznebel-Korrosionsprüfung
brouillard salin (IEC 61701:2020)
(IEC 61701:2020)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2020-07-16. CENELEC 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.
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 European Standard 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
© 2020 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 61701:2020 E
European foreword
The text of document 82/1693/FDIS, future edition 3 of IEC 61701, prepared by IEC/TC 82 "Solar
photovoltaic energy systems" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by
CENELEC as EN IEC 61701:2020.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2021-04-16
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2023-07-16
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 61701:2012 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if any).
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.

Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 61701:2020 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.

Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
NOTE 1  Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant
EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2  Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available here:
www.cenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60068-2-52 - Environmental testing - Part 2-52: Tests - EN IEC 60068-2-52 -
Test Kb: Salt mist, cyclic (sodium chloride
solution)
IEC 61215-1 - Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - - -
Design qualification and type approval -
Part 1: Test requirements
IEC 61215-2 - Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - - -
Design qualification and type approval -
Part 2: Test procedures
IEC 61730-2 - Photovoltaic (PV) module safety EN IEC 61730-2 -
qualification - Part 2: Requirements for
testing
IEC/TS 61836 - Solar photovoltaic energy systems - Terms, - -
definitions and symbols
IEC 62108 - Concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules - -
and assemblies - Design qualification and
type approval
ISO 9223 - Corrosion of metals and alloys - Corrosivity EN ISO 9223 -
of atmospheres - Classification,
determination and estimatio
ISO 9227 - Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres - EN ISO 9227 -
Salt spray tests
IEC 61701 ®
Edition 3.0 2020-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Photovoltaic (PV) modules – Salt mist corrosion testing

Modules photovoltaïques (PV) – Essai de corrosion au brouillard salin

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 27.160 ISBN 978-2-8322-8232-8

– 2 – IEC 61701:2020 © IEC 2020
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Samples . 6
5 Test summary . 6
6 Test sequence . 7
6.1 General . 7
6.2 Stabilization . 7
6.3 Initial and final measurements of non-concentrator modules . 7
6.4 Initial and final measurements of concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules . 7
6.5 Salt mist test procedure . 7
6.6 Cleaning and recovery . 7
6.7 Measurements after salt mist . 8
6.8 Bypass diode test . 8
6.8.1 Purpose . 8
6.8.2 Procedure . 8
6.8.3 Requirements . 8
7 Requirements . 8
7.1 General . 8
7.2 Non-concentrator PV modules. 8
7.3 Concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules . 9
8 Test report . 9
Annex A (normative) Guidance for the selection of appropriate test method
according to IEC 60068-2-52 . 12
A.1 Overview. 12
A.2 Recommendations for applying this document and selecting test methods 1
through 8 . 12
A.2.1 General . 12
A.2.2 Test method 1 . 13
A.2.3 Test method 2 . 13
A.2.4 Test methods 3 to 6 . 13
A.2.5 Test methods 7 and 8 . 13

Figure 1 – Salt mist corrosion testing sequence for non-concentrator PV modules . 10
Figure 2 – Salt mist corrosion testing sequence for concentrator photovoltaic (CPV)
modules . 11

Table A.1 – Simplified guidance for determining corrosivity classifications according to
ISO 9223 and test methods correlating to one-year corrosivity based on mass loss
of steel coupons . 14

IEC 61701:2020 © IEC 2020 – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) MODULES –
SALT MIST CORROSION TESTING
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 corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61701 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 82: Solar
photovoltaic energy systems.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition issued in 2011. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
The main technical changes with respect to the previous edition are as follows:
• The scope has been updated to better reflect the applicability of the Standard.
• Test methods and requirements have been condensed and aligned with the new editions
of IEC 61215-1, IEC 61215-2, and IEC 61730-2. References to crystalline silicon versus
thin film technologies have been eliminated. The old Figure 2 on the thin film test
sequence has been eliminated.
• The salt mist test references have been updated to harmonize with changes to IEC
60068-2-52.
– 4 – IEC 61701:2020 © IEC 2020
• A normative annex A has been added to provide guidance on which of the test methods in
IEC 60068-2-52 are applicable to different applications. This includes references to new
test methods in the latest edition of IEC 60068-2-52.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
82/1693/FDIS 82/1725/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in
the report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IEC 61701:2020 © IEC 2020 – 5 –
PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) MODULES –
SALT MIST CORROSION TESTING
1 Scope
Photovoltaic (PV) modules are electrical devices normally intended for continuous outdoor
exposure during their lifetime. Highly corrosive wet atmospheres, such as marine
environments or locations near the ocean or other large bodies of salt water, could eventually
degrade some of the PV module components (corrosion of metallic parts, deterioration of the
properties of some non-metallic materials – such as protective coatings and plastics – by
assimilation of salts, etc.) causing permanent degradation that could impair their functioning.
Temporary corrosive atmospheres are also present in places where salt is used in winter
periods to melt ice formations on streets and roads.
This document describes test sequences useful to determine the resistance of different PV
modules to corrosion from salt mist containing Cl (NaCl, MgCl , etc.). All tests included in the
sequences are fully described in IEC 61215-2, IEC 62108, IEC 61730-2 and IEC 60068-2-52.
The bypass diode functionality test in this document is modified from its description in IEC
61215-2. They are combined in this document to provide means to evaluate possible faults
caused in PV modules when operating under wet atmospheres having high concentration of
dissolved salt (NaCl). Depending on the specific nature of the surrounding atmosphere to
which the module is exposed in real operation several testing methods can be applied, as
defined in IEC 60068-2-52. Guidance for determining the applicability of this document and
selecting an appropriate method is provided in Annex A.
This document can be applied to both flat plate PV modules and concentrator PV modules
and assemblies.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their
content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition
cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including
any amendments) applies.
IEC 60068-2-52, Environmental testing – Part 2-52: Tests – Test Kb: Salt mist, cyclic (sodium
chloride solution)
IEC 61215-1, Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval –
Part 1: Test requirements
IEC 61215-2, Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval –
Part 2: Test procedures
IEC 61730-2, Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification – Part 2: Requirements for testing
IEC TS 61836, Solar photovoltaic energy systems – Terms, definitions and symbols
IEC 62108, Concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules and assemblies – Design qualification
and type approval
ISO 9223, Corrosion of metals and alloys – Corrosivity of atmospheres – Classification,
determination and estimation
– 6 – IEC 61701:2020 © IEC 2020
ISO 9227, Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres — Salt spray tests
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC TS 61836 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
4 Samples
Three identical samples of the model of PV module or assembly of interest shall be subjected
to any of the testing sequences included in Figure 1 or Figure 2 for non-concentrator PV or
concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) respectively. As the figures indicate one of these samples
should be used as a control. The control sample should be used as a check every time the
test samples are measured to evaluate the effect of the salt mist test.
In the case of CPV different situations for choosing the sample may occur. For non-field-
adjustable focus-point CPV systems or modules, 3 modules are required to complete the
testing sequence included in Figure 2. For field-adjustable focus-point CPV systems or
assemblies, 3 receivers (including secondary optics sections, if applicable) and 3 primary
optics sections are required to complete the testing sequence included in Figure 2. A
complete description of the different types and components of CPV modules and assemblies
can be found in IEC 62108.
If a full-size sample is too large to fit into the envi
...