IEC 61215, IEEE 1262, et cetera are one time tests. Products that have been tested to IEC61215, for example, are qualified as long as that product is manufactured (e.g. 20 years), even though the quality of the product may have degraded substantially over the years. PMC subjects both the product and the manufacturer's quality system to periodic (e.g., annual) audits and re-qualification (similar in concept to the ANSI/UL 1703 certification).

 

This provides the customer with ongoing confidence that the product is reliable and durable. PMC also verifies that a manufacturer's modules meet the manufacturer's power specifications. No other qualification test standard or certification program does this. The PMC label provides the buyer with confidence that the module will really deliver the rated power (at least at STC). This is a powerful selling point!

 

• Safety listing entities provides evaluations and certification to ANSI/UL 1703.

• Product manufacturing is audited through a program of factory Follow-Up Services.

• To counter-check products bearing the Safety Mark to see if they continue to meet safety requirements, field representatives make frequent, unannounced visits to production facilities worldwide.

• The manufacturing facility is audited with a "Follow-Up Service Procedure". This Procedure authorizes the manufacturer to use, under specific controls, the appropriate Safety Mark on their products. The Procedure also describes in detail the product as it was constructed when it was originally examined and tested.

IEEE 1262 PROVIDES ASSURANCE THAT THE PRODUCT IS RELIABLE AND DURABLE.

• a test standard, not a certification program

• a US national test standard that applies to both crystalline and thin film modules

• designed to detect known failure mechanisms in modules which affect performance, reliability, durability, and safety (some overlap with ANSI/UL 1703)

• incorporates the requirements of IEC 61215 and 61646 plus several additional requirements.

IEC 61215 PROVIDES ASSURANCE THAT THE PRODUCT IS RELIABLE AND DURABLE.

• a test standard, not a certification program

• an international test standard for crystalline silicon modules

• nearly the same requirements as IEEE 1262

IEC 61646 PROVIDES ASSURANCE THAT THE PRODUCT IS RELIABLE AND DURABLE.

• a test standard, not a certification program

• international standard for thin-film modules

• nearly the same requirements as IEEE 1262

PMC IS A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM THAT ENSURES PRODUCT RELIABILITY AND DURABILITY.

• product meets IEEE 1262 and IEC 61215/61646 (and retested every two years)

• requires an accredited laboratory

• module performance is measured and certified

• factory is audited periodically to verify minimum quality standards

 

A multi-client testing program at the TÜV Rheinland PTL involves conducting PV module tests (per IEEE 1262, IEC 61215/61646, and/or ANSI/UL 1703) for two to six module TYPES (i.e., models), generally from different clients, at the same time. Cost savings of 25% to 50% are provided by multi-client test program Multi-client pricing is reflected in the TÜV Rheinland PTL pricing schedule. Test results are always proprietary for each client.

 

 

The number of module TYPES (models) under test at one time is limited by the number of modules that can be placed in the environmental chamber. Depending on the test standard (IEEE 1262, IEC 61215/61646, ANSI/UL 1703), two to four modules for each module Type are placed in the chamber.

 

Module size will also limit the number of modules that will fit in the chamber at one time. The total number of modules we can place in a test chamber ranges between 10 and 24. The limit is based on chamber size and module size. Adequate space must be maintained between the modules for good air circulation, and the total thermal mass limited to give satisfactory temperature response during ramping.

 

1. ANSI/UL 1703, Standard for Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels
Order from: http://www.comm-2000.com

2. IEC 61215, Crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval
IEC 1646, Thin-film terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval

IEC documents (all)
Order from:http://webstore.ansi.org/

3. IEEE 1262-1995, Recommended Practice for Qualification of Photovoltaic (PV) Modules

IEEE 1513-2001, Recommended Practice for Qualification of Concentrator Photovoltaic (PV) Receiver Sections and Modules
Order from: http://standards.ieee.org

4. General reference information: These test standards all carry copyright declarations. As a result, TÜV Rheinland Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory cannot provide copies of these documents.

Yes.

As long as TÜV Rheinland PTL has a valid "Certificate of Accreditation" issued by an internationally recognized laboratory accreditation body, test results (including certificates of compliance issued by the TÜV Rheinland PTL ), are automatically valid in all regions of the World.

The TÜV Rheinland PTL received the Certificate of Accreditation (Number 921.01) from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) June 23, 1997. This certification is renewed every two years. The Scope of Accreditation covers the tests defined by ANSI/UL 1703, IEEE 1262, IEC 61215, and IEC 61646. Likewise, the JRC, for example, was accredited by the Comite Francais d'Accreditation (COFRAC). A2LA and COFRAC are internationally recognized laboratory accreditation bodies.

On September 21, 1999, A2LA (American Association for Laboratory Accreditation) signed a bilateral mutual recognition agreement with the European cooperation for Accreditation (EA). A2LA is the first laboratory accreditation body in the Americas to reach such an agreement with EA. Visit the EA web site at www.european-accreditation.org for additional information.

A2LA is a signatory to several bilateral and multilateral recognition agreements. These agreements facilitate the acceptance of test and calibration data between A2LA-accredited laboratories (including the TÜV Rheinland PTL ) and the following countries/economics:

Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Chinese Taipei
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Hong Kong
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Korea
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
Singapore
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States (NIST NVLAP, NAVSEA NSLAP)

If you, the manufacturer, change your method or materials of building a previously fully qualified photovoltaic (PV) module, we probably can, by using the IEC61215/IEC61646 Retesting Guideline (2004), qualify your new module by similarity. Some sequence of the qualification test most probably will have to be performed, but only rarely do changes require full re-qualification.

There are twelve categories of changes we look at, each requiring different tests to qualify by similarity. These categories include:

change in cell technology

modification to encapsulation system

modification to superstrate

change in module size

modification to backsheet/substrate

modification to frame and/or mounting structure

modification to junction box/electrical termination

change in cell interconnect materials or technique

change in electrical circuit

lower or higher power output (by 10%) in identical package including size and using identical cell process

change in cell size

qualification of a frameless module after design has received certification as a framed module

Keep checking back to this web page, as it is undergoing construction. We are in the process of posting a very user-friendly similarity declaration form that will let you determine for yourself what tests are needed on your module. Our target date for this is August 2002.

Please contact the laboratory for more information

 

Probably not. To reduce the time and cost for manufacturers on their design improvement, and to ensure the high integrity of the qualification program, a special document called "Guidelines for retest requirement" has been developed.

 

Under this guideline, based on the nature of the changes, some require only a few retests, and some may require more retests. The number of tests will be determined based on the "Similarity Declaration Form" submitted by the manufacturer.

 

Because of their unique characteristics, amorphous silicon (a-Si) modules require annealing and light-soaking. These two procedures take time and require an additional 30 days to complete. Annealing and light-soaking are not required by crystalline silicon (c-Si).

 

 

Yes, but within certain guidelines.
We are recognized by Arizona State University and the PV industry as a unique laboratory providing testing and R&D services to the PV industry, and providing the state-of-the-art laboratory experience to the the PV industry, and providing the state-of-the-art laboratory experience to the Graduate and Undergraduate students of the University. No other laboratories provide photovoltaic module qualification test services in the United States--commercial or not for profit organizations. Because we are working as a self-supported Laboratory at a state-supported University, we cannot directly compete with commercial testing laboratories.

So, if you do not have your own environmental chambers you should first contact a local commercial test facility that can provide these engineering services. If, for instance, your module failed a test during our qualification testing of your modules, then, we can, after your engineering modification, perform that one test for you if it is identical to failed test. If you have built a module but, again, either don't have access to the environmental chambers or test fixtures (hail impact tester, or dynamic load tester, or static load tester, for instance) we will entertain doing an "engineering test".

Yes.

 

If you want to subject your modules to the desert environment found in Arizona, the TÜV Rheinland PTL is your place to do it! We are presently providing these services for a number of clients, some of whom have had modules under test in Arizona for ten years. We can provide many different measurements of the modules, ranging from simply putting the modules on a rack to periodically measuring I-V resistance. We can design a program to fit your needs. Call us. We can discuss it.

 

Yes.

 

We will provide this service per recently approved PMC test procedure.

 

 

Yes. We will provide this service per recently approved PMC test procedure.