IEC SYSTEM FOR CONFORMITY TESTING COMMITTEE OF TESTING LABORATORIES

AND CERTIFICATION OF ELECTRICAL

EQUIPMENT

TESTING AND MEASURING EQUIPMENT/ALLOWED SUBCONTRACTING

Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval – Part 2: Test procedures
IEC 61215-2:2016

R = Required by Lab
S = May be subcontracted

Clause Testing Testing / measuring equipment / material needed Subcontracting

- Lamp: Illumination >1000lux
4.1 Visual inspection (MQT 01) - Camera R
- Vernier calliper, measuring tape
- Radiant source (natural sunlight or a solar simulator class BBA or
better in accordance with IEC 60904-9)
- PV reference device in accordance with IEC 60904-2
- Means to measure spectral responsivity of the module according
to IEC 60904-8
4.2 Maximum power determination (MQT 02) - Means to measure spectral distribution of the radiant source R
- Suitable mount for supporting module and the reference device
- Means to measure temperature with an accuracy of +/-1°C and
repeatability of +/-0.5°C
- Apparatus for measuring an I-V curve in accordance with IEC
60904-1
- DC voltage source, with current limitation, capable of applying 1
4.3 Insulation test (MQT 03) 000 V plus twice the sample’s maximum system voltage R
- Insulation resistance meter
- Radiant source (natural sunlight or a solar simulator class BBB or
better in accordance with IEC 60904-9)
- PV reference device in accordance with IEC 60904-2
- Means to measure temperature with an accuracy of +/-1°C and
4.4 Measurement of temperature coefficients (MQT04) repeatability of +/-0.5°C R
- Apparatus for measuring an I-V curve in accordance with IEC
60904-1
- Apparatus includes equipment to change the temperature of the
module

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 IEC SYSTEM FOR CONFORMITY TESTING COMMITTEE OF TESTING LABORATORIES
AND CERTIFICATION OF ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT

TESTING AND MEASURING EQUIPMENT/ALLOWED SUBCONTRACTING

Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval – Part 2: Test procedures
IEC 61215-2:2016

Clause Testing Testing / measuring equipment / material needed Subcontracting

Measurement of nominal module operating
4.5
temperature (NMOT) (MQT 05)
4.6 Performance at STC and NMOT (MQT 06)
4.7 Performance at low irradiance (MQT 07)
4.8 Outdoor exposure test (MQT 08)
- Test fixture as described in clause 8.4 of IEC61853-2
- Pyranometer or PV reference device with an accuracy of+/- 5%
- Wind speed sensor: Measurement range from 0,25m/s to 10m/s
- Ambient temperature sensor
- Data acquisition system: Temperature measurement accuracy of R
+/- 1°C and repeatability of +/-0.5°C, data recording interval < 5 s
- Resistive load sized such that a module will operate near its max-
imum power point at STC or electronic maximum power point
tracker (MPPT)
For Performance at STC (MQT 06.1)
- All equipment for 4.2
- Means to measure temperature with an accuracy of+/-1°C and re- R
peatability of +/-0.5°C
- Equipment to cool/heat a module to STC
For Performance at NMOT (MQT 06.2)
- All equipment for 4.2
- Means for changing irradiance to 800 ± 80 W/m²
R
- Means to measure temperature with an accuracy of +/-1°C and
repeat-ability of +/-0.5°C
- Equipment to cool/heat a module to NMOT
- All equipment for 4.2
- Means for changing irradiance to 200 ± 20 W/m² in accordance
with IEC60904-10
R
- Means to measure temperature with an accuracy of +/-1°C and
repeatability of +/-0.5°C
- Equipment to cool/heat a module to STC
- Means to mount the module
- Solar irradiance monitor with an accuracy of +/- 5%
- Resistive load sized such that a module will operate near its max- R
imum power point at STC or electronic maximum power point
tracker (MPPT)

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 IEC SYSTEM FOR CONFORMITY TESTING COMMITTEE OF TESTING LABORATORIES
AND CERTIFICATION OF ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT

TESTING AND MEASURING EQUIPMENT/ALLOWED SUBCONTRACTING

Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval – Part 2: Test procedures
IEC 61215-2:2016

Clause Testing Testing / measuring equipment / material needed Subcontracting

- Radiant source (natural sunlight or a steady-state solar simulator
class BBB or better in accordance with IEC 60904-9 (irradiance
1000 +/- 100 W/m²))
- Radiant source in determining the worst case shadowing condi-
tion for monolithically integrated (MLI) thin film technologies. (ex.
pulsed or non-continuous solar simulator class BBB or better in
accordance with IEC 60904-9 (irradiance 800-1000W/m2))
4.9 Hot-spot endurance test (MQT 09) R
- Module I-V curve tracer
- Equipment for current measurement
- Equipment to record irradiance levels, integrated irradiance and
ambient temperature
- Opaque covers:
- Temperature detector
- Means to cool the module to temperature 50°C during the test
- UV meters working in wavelength ranges 280–320 nm and 320–
400 nm with an accuracy of +/- 15%
- UV light source with irradiance non-uniformity in the test plane +/-
15% , no appreciable irradiance at wavelengths below 280 nm
4.10 UV preconditioning (MQT 10) and total UV irradiance < 250 W/m² R
- Equipment to control the module temperature in the range 60 +/-
5°C
- Temperature monitoring equipment with an accuracy of +/- 2°C
and repeatability of +/-0.5°C
- Climatic chamber capable to produce a temperature cycle in ac-
cordance to figure 9 with an accuracy of +/- 2°C at the low and
high extremes.
4.11 Thermal cycling test (MQT 11) - Means for measuring and recording the module temperature to an R
accuracy of +/- 2°C and repeatability of +/-0.5°C.
- Means for applying current to the modules
- Means for monitoring current through the modules

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 IEC SYSTEM FOR CONFORMITY TESTING COMMITTEE OF TESTING LABORATORIES
AND CERTIFICATION OF ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT

TESTING AND MEASURING EQUIPMENT/ALLOWED SUBCONTRACTING

Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval – Part 2: Test procedures
IEC 61215-2:2016

Clause Testing Testing / measuring equipment / material needed Subcontracting

- Climatic chambers capable to produce a temperature/humidity
cycle according to figure 10 with accuracy of +/- 2°C and +/- 5%
relative humidity at the low and high extremes.
- Means for measuring and recording the module temperature to an
4.12 Humidity-freeze test (MQT 12) accuracy of +/- 2°C and repeatability of +/- 0.5°C. R
- Means for monitoring the continuity of the internal circuit of the
module
- Means for applying current to the modules
- Means for monitoring current through the modules
- Climatic chamber capable to carry out the test in accordance with
4.13 Damp-Heat test (MQT 13) R
IEC 60068-2-78
Retention of Junction Box on Mounting Surface
4.14.2 - Means for applying a force of 40 N to the centre of the test object R
(MQT 14.1)
- Cord anchorage pull test equipment
4.14.3 Test of cord anchorage (MQT 14.2) - Torque test equipment S
- Vernier calliper
- Shallow trough or tank
- Spray equipment
- Electrical conductivity meter
- Means to measure temperature
4.15 Wet leakage current test (MQT 15) R
- Insulation resistance meter
- DC voltage source, with current limitation, capable of applying a
test voltage 500 V or maximum rated system voltage of the mod-
ule
- Rigid test base which enables the modules to be mounted front
side up or front side down
- Test apparatus, capable of applying a uniform load corresponding
4.16 Static mechanical load test (MQT 16) R
to at least 2400 Pa on the module surfaces
- Means for monitoring the continuity of the internal circuit of the
module

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 IEC SYSTEM FOR CONFORMITY TESTING COMMITTEE OF TESTING LABORATORIES
AND CERTIFICATION OF ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT

TESTING AND MEASURING EQUIPMENT/ALLOWED SUBCONTRACTING

Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval – Part 2: Test procedures
IEC 61215-2:2016

Clause Testing Testing / measuring equipment / material needed Subcontracting

- Test apparatus as described in section 10.17 with a velocity re-
peatability of +/- 5%.
- Instrument for velocity measurement with an accuracy of +/- 2%,
no more than 1 m from module impact surface
- Weighing instrument with an accuracy of +/- 2%
4.17 Hail test (MQT 17) R
- Vernier
- Freezer (-10°C +/- 5°C) and container (-4°C +/- 2°C)for produc-
tion and storage of ice balls
- Apparatus to verify ice ball diameter to within +/- 5% of require-
ment and mass within +/- 5% of requirement.
- Apparatus to heat the module to temperature 30°C +/- 2°C, 50°C
+/- 2°C, 70°C +/- 2°C and 90°C +/- 2°C.
- Means for applying a pulse current equal to the STC short-circuit
current with a pulse width not exceeding 1 ms.
- Means for measuring the junction voltage of the bypass diodes to
4.18.1 Bypass diode thermal testing (MQT 18.1) R
an accuracy of 2 %
- Means for monitoring the flow of current through the module
- Apparatus to heat the module to temperature 75°C +/- 5°C
- Equipment for applying a current to 1,25 times the short-circuit
current of the module as measured at STC
- Means for measuring current-voltage curve within 1 s; e.g. I-V
curve tracer, with an accuracy of the voltage and current meas-
4.18.2 Bypass diode functionality testing (MQT 18.2) R
urement shall be at least 1 % of reading (for method A) or All
equipment for 4.2 (for method B)

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 IEC SYSTEM FOR CONFORMITY TESTING COMMITTEE OF TESTING LABORATORIES
AND CERTIFICATION OF ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT

TESTING AND MEASURING EQUIPMENT/ALLOWED SUBCONTRACTING

Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval – Part 2: Test procedures
IEC 61215-2:2016

Clause Testing Testing / measuring equipment / material needed Subcontracting

- Radiant source (natural sunlight or a steady-state solar simulator
class CCC or better in accordance with IEC 60904-9 (irradiance
800–1000 W/m²))
- Suitable reference device
- Means to mount the modules
- Equipment to control the module temperature in the range 50 +/-
10°C(only indoor stabilization)
4.19 Stabilization(MQT 19) R
- Means for measuring the module temperature to an accuracy of
+/- 2°C and repeatability of +/- 0.5°C.
- Resistive load sized such that the module will operate near its
maximum power point or electronic maximum power point tracker
(MPPT)
- All equipment for 4.2 (MQT 02)
- All equipment for performance at STC (MQT 06)

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