This International Standard lays down requirements for the design qualification and type approval of terrestrial thin-film photovoltaic modules suitable for long-term operation in moderate open-air climates as defined in IEC 721-2-1. It is written with amorphous silicon technology in mind, but may also be applicable to other thin-film PV modules. Modifications to this test sequence may be necessary due to the specific characteristics of these other new technologies.
The test sequence is based largely on that specified in IEC 1215 for the design qualification and type approval of terrestrial crystalline silicon PV modules. However, some changes have been made to account for the special features of amorphous silicon thin-film modules. Light-soaking is used to separate light-induced degradation from other degradation mechanisms, and to provide the maximum power at the end of the test sequence as an estimate of the long-term performance of thin-film modules. Modules are annealed before thermal cycling and damp heat tests in order to separate the annealing effects from any degradation resulting from these tests. For thin-film technologies other than amorphous silicon, pretreatments such as light-soaking and annealing may differ or may prove unnecessary. A wet leakage current test has been added because all types of thin-film modules are susceptible to moisture-induced corrosion.
The object of this test sequence is to determine the electrical and thermal characteristics of the module and to show, as far as possible within reasonable constraints of cost and time, that the module is capable of withstanding prolonged exposure in climates described in the scope. The actual life expectancy of modules so qualified will depend on their design, their environment and the conditions under which they are operated.
This standard does not apply to modules used with concentrators.
BS EN 61646:1997 history
2017BS EN 61215-1-4:2017 Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules. Design qualification and type approval. Special requirements for testing of thin-film Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 based photovoltaic (PV) modules
2009BS EN 61646:2008 Thin-film terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval
1997BS EN 61646:1997 Thin-film terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval