ISO/TC 180 - Solar energy

This document specifies definitions and test methods for glazing material durability and performance. This document is applicable to those collectors having a glazing to fit sheets or tubes of glass into collectors; accordingly, soda lime silicate glass and borosilicate glass are used. This document is applicable to solar transmittance of glass for solar collector.

This document specifies two preferred methods for the calibration of pyranometers using reference pyranometers; indoor (Type A) and outdoor (Type B). Indoor or type A calibration, is performed against a lamp source, while the outdoor method B, employs natural solar radiation as the source. Indoor calibration is performed either at normal incidence (type A1), the receiver surface perpendicular to the beam of the lamp or under exposure to a uniform diffuse lamp source using an integrating sphere (type A2). Outdoor calibration is performed using the sun as a source, with the pyranometer in a horizontal position (type B1), in a tilted position (type B2), or at normal incidence (type B3). Calibrations according to the specified methods will be traceable to SI, through the world radiometric reference (WRR), provided that traceable reference instruments are used. This document is applicable to most types of pyranometers regardless of the type technology employed. The methods have been validated for pyranometers that comply with the requirements for classes A, B and C of ISO 9060. In general, all pyranometers may be calibrated by using the described methods, provided that a proper uncertainty evaluation is performed. Unlike spectrally flat pyranometers, non-spectrally flat pyranometers might have a spectral response that varies strongly with the wavelength even within the spectral range from 300 to 1 500 nm, and therefore the calibration result may possibly be valid under a more limited range of conditions. The result of a calibration is an instrument sensitivity accompanied by an uncertainty. This document offers suggestions for uncertainty evaluation in the annexes.

This document provides an appropriate reference spectral irradiance distribution to be used in determining relative performance of solar thermal, photovoltaic, and other systems, components and materials where the direct or hemispherical irradiance component is desired. This document provides one reference hemispherical irradiance spectrum, one reference direct normal irradiance spectrum and 171 subordinate hemispherical tilted irradiance spectra. The reference spectral irradiance presented in this document defines an air mass 1,5 solar spectral irradiance, for use in solar applications where a reference spectral irradiance is required, for the direct normal radiation 5,8° field-of-view angle and hemispherical radiation on an equator-facing, 37° tilted plane for albedo corresponding to a light sandy soil. The reference spectral irradiance are intended to represent ideal clear sky conditions. The reference spectra and the subordinate spectral irradiances representing different sky conditions are provided in .xls files available at https://standards.iso.org/iso/9845/-1/ed-2/en/

This document specifies two procedures to check the performance of solar thermal collector fields. This document is applicable to glazed flat plate collectors, evacuated tube collectors and/or tracking, concentrating collectors used as collectors in fields. The check can be done on the thermal power output of the collector field and also be on the daily yield of the collector field. The document specifies for the two procedures how to compare a measured output with a calculated one. The document applies for all sizes of collector fields.

This document defines basic terms relating to the work of ISO/TC 180. The committee covers standardization in the field of the measurement of solar radiation and solar energy utilization in space and water heating, cooling, industrial process heating and air conditioning. Consequently, the vocabulary within this document is focussed on definitions relating to those measurement and utilisation technologies. Since the 1999 version of this document there has been considerable development in solar photovoltaic technologies and high temperature solar thermal technologies that use heat to produce electricity or to provide high temperatures for processes that require elevated temperatures. This standard has some definitions that are useful also for those technologies; however, there are other documents that cover vocabulary for these technologies in more detail.

This document gives recommended practice for the use of pyranometers in solar energy applications (e.g. testing of solar photovoltaic panels, solar thermal collectors or other devices, and performance monitoring of solar energy systems). It is applicable for both outdoor and indoor use of pyranometers, when measuring plane of array, global horizontal and reflected irradiance, or radiation from a solar simulator. The measurement may be carried out on either a horizontal or an inclined surface, and the pyranometer may be part of a diffusometer, i.e. combined with a sun-shading device to measure diffuse radiation.

This document specifies the requirements on insulation materials for solar collectors and test methods for durability and performance of insulation materials used in solar collectors. This document is applicable to all types of insulation material used in solar collectors, such as rigid polyurethane foam (PU), phenolic foam (PF), mineral wool (MW) and mineral fibre.

This document establishes a classification and specification of instruments for the measurement of hemispherical solar and direct solar radiation integrated over the spectral range from approximately 0,3 μm to about 3 μm to 4 μm. Instruments for the measurement of hemispherical solar radiation and direct solar radiation are classified according to the results obtained from indoor or outdoor performance tests. This document does not specify the test procedures.

ISO 9806:2017 specifies test methods for assessing the durability, reliability, safety and thermal performance of fluid heating solar collectors. The test methods are applicable for laboratory testing and for in situ testing. ISO 9806:2017 is applicable to all types of fluid heating solar collectors, air heating solar collectors, hybrid solar collectors co-generating heat and electric power, as well as to solar collectors using external power sources for normal operation and/or safety purposes. It does not cover electrical safety aspects or other specific properties directly related to electric power generation. ISO 9806:2017 is not applicable to those devices in which a thermal storage unit is an integral part to such an extent that the collection process cannot be separated from the storage process for making the collector thermal performance measurements.

ISO 22975-2:2016 specifies definitions and test methods for durability and performance of heat-pipes for solar thermal application. ISO 22975-2:2016 is applicable to heat-pipes for use with evacuated tubes, including glass-metal sealed evacuated tubes and double-glass evacuated tubes, as well as with flat plate collectors. ISO 22975-2:2016 provides test methods for determining durability of the heat-pipe, including high temperature resistance and freeze resistance. ISO 22975-2:2016 also provides test methods for measuring performance of the heat-pipe, including starting temperature, temperature uniformity and heat transfer power of the heat-pipe. ISO 22975-2:2016 is only applicable to gravity heat-pipes.

ISO 22975-1:2016 specifies definitions and test methods for materials, durability and performance of evacuated tubes. ISO 22975-1:2016 is applicable to all types of evacuated tubes.

ISO 22975-3:2014 is applicable to the determination of the long term behaviour and service life of selective solar absorbers for use in vented flat plate solar collectors working under conditions corresponding to that in a typical solar domestic hot water system or combisystem. ISO 22975-3:2014 specifies a failure criterion of a solar absorber based on changes in optical performance of the absorber. The optical properties of interest are solar absorptance and thermal emittance. ISO 22975-3:2014 specifies durability testing procedures focused on resistance to high temperatures and condensation of water on the absorber surface as well as high humidity in the presence of sulfur dioxide.

ISO 9459-4:2013 specifies a method of evaluating the annual energy performance of solar water heaters using a combination of test results for component performance and a mathematical model to determine an annual load cycle task performance under specified weather and load conditions. The procedure is applicable to solar water heaters with integral backup or preheating into a conventional storage or instantaneous water heater and to integral collector storage water heaters. System operating requirements specified in ISO 9459-4:2013 are for the purpose of determining an annual performance rating for domestic water heaters. There are no product design or operation requirements in ISO 9459-4:2013.

ISO 9459-5:2007 specifies a method for outdoor laboratory testing of solar domestic hot-water (SDHW) systems. The method may also be applied for in-situ tests, and also for indoor tests by specifying appropriate draw-off profiles and irradiance profiles for indoor measurements. The system performance is characterized by means of whole-system tests using a 'black-box' approach, i.e. no measurements on the system components or inside the system are necessary. Detailed instructions are given on the measurement procedure, on processing and analysis of the measurement data, and on presentation of the test report.

Describes test procedures for characterizing the performance of solar domestic water heating systems operated without auxiliary boosting and for predicting annual performance in any given climatic and operating conditions.Suitable for testing all types of systems including forced circulation, thermosiphon, freon-charged collektor systems.

Its use is mandatory for the calibration of secondary standard pyranometers according to ISO 9060, and is recommended for the calibration of pyranometers which are used as reference instruments in comparisons. Is intended for use by test institutions or test laboratories equipped with well-maintained pyrheliometers and is applicable to all pyranometers. The object is to promote the uniform application of reliable methods to calibrate pyranometers, since accurate calibration factors are the basis of accurate hemispherical solar radiation data which are needed for solar energy test applications or simulations.

Establishes a uniform indoor test method for rating solar domestic water heating systems for thermal performance. Applies only to solar water heating systems designed solely to heat potable water to be supplied for domestic water usage. The test procedures described are applicable to systems of solar storage capacity of 0,6 m^3 or less.

This Technical Report provides a discussion of the parameters that have a bearing on the internal corrosion of solar water heating systems. The following topics are not dealt with: problems of compatibility between polymeric materials (plastics and rubber) and fluids; corrosion risks concerning the enclosure and the external surface of the absorber; safety and health questions.

ISO 9806:2013 specifies test methods for assessing the durability, reliability and safety for fluid heating collectors. It also includes test methods for the thermal performance characterization of fluid heating collectors, namely steady-state and quasi-dynamic thermal performance of glazed and unglazed liquid heating solar collectors and steady-state thermal performance of glazed and unglazed air heating solar collectors (open to ambient as well as closed loop). It is also applicable to hybrid collectors generating heat and electric power. However it does not cover electrical safety or other specific properties related to electric power generation. ISO 9806:2013 is also applicable to collectors using external power sources for normal operation and/or safety purposes. ISO 9806:2013 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.

Gives test procedures for characterizing the performance of solar domestic water heating systems and for predicting annual performance under climatic conditions. Applies to solar domestic water heating systems designed to heat potable water. It is not applicable to concentrating systems.

Replaces the equation in note 6.

Gives recommendations for the design, installation and commissioning of solar heating systems for swimming pools, using direct circulation of pool water to the solar collectors. Does not include electrical safety requirements and does not deal with the pool filtration systems.

Establishes methods for determining the thermal performance of unglazed liquid heating solar collectors. Contains methods for conducting tests outdoors under natural solar irradiation and simulated wind and for conducting tests indoors under simulated solar irradiation and wind. Not applicable to those collectors in which the heat transfer fluid can change phase.

Establishes test methods for testing solar collectors under well-defined and repeatable conditions. Determination of the ability to resist the influences of degrading agents.

Establishes methods for determining the thermal performance of glazed liquid heating solar collectors; provides test methods and calculation procedures for determining the steady-state and quasi-steady-state thermal performance of solar collectors. Contains methods for conducting tests outdoors under natural solar irradiance and indoors under simulated solar irradiance. 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 for the purpose of making measurements of these two processes. Also not applicable to unglazed solar collectors nor is it applicable to tracking concentrating solar collectors.

Provides an appropriate standard spectral irradiance distribution to be used in determining relative performance of solar thermal, photovoltaic, and other system components and materials where the direct and hemispherical irradiance component is desired. The tables presented define an air mass 1,5 solar spectral irradiance for the direct normal radiation - 5,8° field-of-view angle - and hemispherical radiation on an equator-facing, 37° tilted plane for an albedo of 0,2. These tables are intended to represent ideal clear sky conditions.

Specifies two preferred methods: the outdoor calibration (with the pyranometer in a horizontal position, in a tilted position, or at normal incidence) and the indoor calibration (using an integrating sphere with shaded or unshaded lamp, or at normal incidence). Applicable to most types of field pyranometers regardless of the type of radiation receptor employed.

Establishes a classification and specification of instruments for the measurement of hemispherical solar and direct solar radiation integrated over the spectral range from 0,3 µm to 3 µm.