Standards, norms and tests for PV components and systems

By: Behrooz Saeidi,356617

Dec-2017

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What is Standard?

Something used as a measure, norm, or model in comparative evaluations.[Oxford Dictionary]

In essence, a standard is an agreed way of doing something. It could be about making a

product, managing a process, delivering a service or supplying materials standards can
cover a huge range of activities undertaken by organizations and used by their customers.

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Why do we need standards [In general]?

Standards Standards
Standards Companies No need to Standards Standards
help are good for
protect are able to reinvent the are good for increase
developing the
consumers sell globally wheel the climate accessibility
countries environment

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National or International Standard ?

Confusing Expensive

What happens if Each country had time

its own standards? consuming

The result would be chaos

and much higher product cost
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PV Background
Industry Growth:

1. Demand increasing 20%+ per year

2. Significant increase in large commercial plants

Concern for Quality / Bankability:

1. Doubts about adequacy of existing standards

2. Need for improved understanding of reliability
3. Validation of product lifetime for investors

Need for Conformity Assessment:

1. Assurance of security of investments in PV

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International standards(IS) in PV industry

The International Electrotechnical Commission

publishes (IS) for all electrotechnical technologies

104 Technical Committees (TCs)-99 Subcommittees (SCs)

Three global sister organizations (IEC, ISO, ITU)

International Organization for Standardization International Telecommunication Union

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 IEC Organization

Evaluate implementation of
standards in specific situations

assessment & certification

electrotechnical equipment

Write the standards equipment operating in

for
explosive atmospheres

electronic components
and associated materials

Manage nomination of experts Renewable Energy systems

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IECRE Basic Rules

Scope Committees reporting to the MC

Governing documents Legal provisions
Membership Standards
Organization Voting
RE Management Committee Finance
Officers, Executive and administration Dissolution of the IECRE System

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IECRE kickoff meeting
Oct-2013 in Aarhus, Denmark:

Participation by TC82 (Solar), TC88 (Wind Turbines) and TC114 (Marine Energy)

Seeking to include TC117 (Solar Thermal)

Working group (RE Forum) assigned to draft Basic Rules and Rules of Procedure
for IECRE

Basic Rules(BR) are common to all

Rules of Procedure(RP) are industry-specific

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RE system common Elements

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PV Standards for Assessment
Crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules

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Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI)

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Aspects of Certification
General
Site conditions evaluation
Design evaluation
Equipment evaluation
Structural and electrical evaluation
Installation surveillance
Output characteristics measurement
Commissioning surveillance
Operation and maintenance surveillance
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The testing sequence in IEC 61215

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Test Descriptions

Visual inspection: Light-soaking

detect any major visual defects must show a final: Pmax 0.9 * (Pmax t(%))

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 Wet leakage current
A test voltage is applied to maximum
system voltage of the module for 2
minutes. insulation resistance > 40
M per M2
Outdoor exposure Hot-spot endurance
This will force the cell into a reverse bias condition
when it becomes a load dissipating heat.
Is among the 5 most frequent failures.
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 Bypass diode UV preconditioning Robustness of terminations

determines the thermal behavior of identify materials that are susceptible tensile strength, bending and
the module under hot-spot conditions. to ultra-violet (UV) degradation torque tests

heating the module up to 75C 5 C and

applying a current equal to the short
circuit current Isc measured at STC for 1h.
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 Thermal cycling Humidity-freeze

soldered connections are challenged may result in failure for:

major defects
Pmax
Degradation interruption of the electric circuitry
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 Damp-heat Mechanical load test Hail impact

ability of the module to withstand long-term exposure to penetration of humidity by applying 85C 2C with a
relative humidity of 85% 5% for 1000 hours.

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Meet qualification
End

Failed samples > 2 Design fails

one or both of these

new samples also fail
Start 8 Samples

Another 2 samples do
1 sample fail any test Both samples pass the test
test sequence from the beginning

End Design passes

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References:
www.greentechmedia.com/research/report/global-pv-demand-outlook-2015-2020
STANDARDS FOR PV MODULES AND COMPONENTS RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND
CHALLENGES"John H. Wohlgemuth National Renewable Energy Laboratory "
B. Hibberd, NREL PV Module Reliability Workshop, (2011)

kingdesign.no
www.iec.ch https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/standards/Information-
about-standards/what-is-a-standard/
www.tuv.com
www.pi-berlin.com www.iecee.org

www.zwick.com https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/standard

www.qualitydigest.com
incompliancemag.com
www.itri.org.tw

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Questions??

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Dear Saeidi,

We have evaluated your oral presentation on Solar Energy. I am very sorry, but it was
insufficient.
All aspects with respect to the assessment criteria need to be improved.
The way of presenting: your focus was far too much on your laptop
Content: only standard aspects and no background. furthermore you showed a video which
looked like an advertisement....
Structure: It was chaotic
Visual: far too busy and hard to follow.

You will have another opportunity on 11 December in the afternoon. Details will follow.

Be aware, explain why standards are needed? What is the background? Use a clear structure
of your presentation. Be in contact with your audience. Have a clear message! etc.

All the best with your preparations!

Best regards,
Arthur

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