IEC 61646 Test Standard for Thin-film Solar Photoelectric Modules

IEC 61646 Test Standard for Thin-film Solar Photoelectric Modules

Through the diagnostic measurement, electrical measurement, irradiation test, environmental test, mechanical test five types of test and inspection mode, confirm the design confirmation and form approval requirements of thin film solar energy, and confirm that the module can operate in the general climate environment required by the specification for a long time.

IEC 61646-10.1 Visual inspection procedure

Objective: To check for any visual defects in the module.

Performance at STC under IEC 61646-10.2 Standard test conditions

Objective: Using natural light or A class simulator, under standard test conditions (battery temperature: 25±2℃, irradiance: 1000wm^-2, standard solar spectrum irradiation distribution in accordance with IEC891), test the electrical performance of the module with load change.

IEC 61646-10.3 Insulation test

Objective: To test whether there is good insulation between the current carrying parts and the frame of the module

IEC 61646-10.4 Measurement of temperature coefficients

Objective: To test the current temperature coefficient and voltage temperature coefficient in the module test. The temperature coefficient measured is valid only for the irradiation used in the test. For linear modules, it is valid within ±30% of this irradiation. This procedure is in addition to IEC891, which specifies the measurement of these coefficients from individual cells in a representative batch. The temperature coefficient of the thin-film solar cell module depends on the heat treatment process of the module involved. When the temperature coefficient is involved, the conditions of the thermal test and the irradiation results of the process should be indicated.

IEC 61646-10.5 Measurement of nominal operating cell temperature (NOCT)

Objective: To test the NOCT of the module

IEC 61646-10.6 Performance at NOCT

Objective: When the nominal operating battery temperature and irradiance are 800Wm^-2, under the standard solar spectrum irradiance distribution condition, the electrical performance of the module varies with the load.

IEC 61646-10.7 Performance at low irradiance

Objective: To determine the electrical performance of modules under load under natural light or A class A simulator at 25℃ and 200Wm^-2(measured with appropriate reference cell).

IEC 61646-10.8 Outdoor exposure Testing

Objective: To make an unknown assessment of the resistance of the module to exposure to outdoor conditions and to show any effects of degradation that could not be detected by the experiment or test.

IEC 61646-10.9 Hot spot test

Objective: To determine the ability of the module to withstand thermal effects, such as packaging material aging, battery cracking, internal connection failure, local shading or stained edges can cause such defects.

IEC 61646-10.10 UV test (UV test)

Objective: To confirm the ability of the module to withstand ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the new UV test is described in IEC1345, and if necessary, the module should be exposed to light before performing this test.

IEC61646-10.11 Thermal cycling Test (Thermal cycling)

Objective: To confirm the ability of the module to resist thermal inhomogeneity, fatigue and other stresses due to repeated temperature changes. The module should be annealed before receiving this test. [Pre-I-V test] refers to the test after annealing, be careful not to expose the module to light before the final I-V test.

Test requirements:

a. Instruments to monitor the electrical continuity within each module throughout the test process

b. Monitor the insulation integrity between one of the recessed ends of each module and the frame or support frame

c. Record module temperature throughout the test and monitor any open circuit or ground failure that may occur (no intermittent open circuit or ground failure during the test).

d.The insulation resistance shall meet the same requirements as the initial measurement

IEC 61646-10.12 Humidity freeze cycle test

Purpose: To test the module's resistance to the influence of the subsequent sub-zero temperature under high temperature and humidity, this is not a thermal shock test, before receiving the test, the module should be annealed and subjected to a thermal cycle test, [[Pre-I-V test] refers to the thermal cycle after the test, be careful not to expose the module to light before the final I-V test.

Test requirements:

a. Instruments to monitor the electrical continuity within each module throughout the test process

b. Monitor the insulation integrity between one of the recessed ends of each module and the frame or support frame

c. Record module temperature throughout the test and monitor any open circuit or ground failure that may occur (no intermittent open circuit or ground failure during the test).

d. The insulation resistance shall meet the same requirements as the initial measurement

IEC 61646-10.13 Damp heat Test (Damp heat)

Objective: To test the ability of the module to resist long-term infiltration of moisture

Test requirements: The insulation resistance shall meet the same requirements as the initial measurement

IEC 61646-10.14 Robustness of terminations

Objective: To determine whether the attachment between the lead end and the lead end to the module body can withstand the force during normal installation and operation.

IEC 61646-10.15 Twist Test

Objective: To detect possible problems caused by module installation on an imperfect structure

IEC 61646-10.16 Mechanical load test

Purpose: The purpose of this test is to determine the ability of the module to withstand wind, snow, ice, or static loads

IEC 61646-10.17 Hail test

Objective: To verify the impact resistance of the module to hail

IEC 61646-10.18 Light soaking Test

Objective: To stabilize the electrical properties of thin film modules by simulating solar irradiation

IEC 61646-10.19 Annealing Tests (Annealing)

Objective: The film module is annealed before the verification test. If not annealed, the heating during the subsequent test procedure may mask the attenuation caused by other causes.

IEC 61646-10.20 Wet leakage current Test

Purpose: To evaluate the insulation of the module under wet operating conditions and to verify that moisture from rain, fog, dew or melting snow does not enter the live parts of the module circuit, which may cause corrosion, ground failure or safety hazards.