TUV Rheinland Insight: TUV Rheinland Expert's View on Updated Standards for a Decade of PV Modules

HONG KONG, Aug. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Due to the rapid increase in the production capacity of photovoltaic (PV) modules over recent years, China has become the largest manufacturer and exporter in the global market. Following the booming development of the international PV market, particularly driven by its robust growth in China, enterprises engaged in PV-specific products are reported to constantly expand their industrial scale while continuing to improve their technological capabilities. In 2015, China's production capacity for PV modules exceeded 43 GW, representing a year-on-year growth of 22.9%.

In terms of module development, the entire PV industry remains committed to ensuring long-term reliability and power generation in outdoor environments. This covers all closely related aspects, including product design, research and development, production, laboratory testing and inspection and product certification. The latest release of the IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 proposes higher requirements for manufacturers involved in PV modules. The following is the latest from our technical experts at TUV Rheinland.

How does this standard update affect the PV industry development?

The IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 are widely accepted as two of the basic standards with the greatest importance in the PV industry. Accordingly, certification is already a prerequisite for PV modules to enter the global market. Over the last decade, the PV industry has experienced well-developed applications on a large scale. The updated standards represent the first update since then. The new versions of these two standards jolt the entire industry chain, inevitably drawing great attention from buyers and manufacturers of modules and components. The standards not only stipulate requirements for product and technology replacements and upgrades, but also enable buyers to require further improvements in product quality, both of which drive the healthy development of the entire PV industry. Understanding the latest standard amendments will facilitate adjustments to the design and production of modules.

What role does TUV Rheinland play in drafting and designing the updated standards?

In March 2016, the International Electrotechnical Commission officially announced the latest PV module performance standards under the IEC 61215, and anticipated the latest PV module safety standards under the IEC 61730 in the third quarter of 2016. Preceding the IEC 61730 is the internal standard "Safety Class 2" of TUV Rheinland. Mr Joerg Althaus, as TUV Rheinland's Germany-based technical expert, is the current leader serving on the IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 Technical Committee's expert panel. Due to its important role in the IECEE, TUV Rheinland has the latest and most accurate information and understanding of specification formulation and promotion.

As the updated standards represent the advancement of manufacturing and testing technologies, what are the core practices under the updated standards?

IEC61215

1. Structural Change
   
   Compared with the second version released back in 2005, the third version of the IEC 61215 involves not only significant changes to technical contents but also great changes to the standard structures. The third version of the IEC 61215 comprises three major parts. The IEC 61215-1 deals with general testing requirements, the IEC 61215-2 deals with specific testing procedures and the IEC 61215-1-x deals with specific requirements for a variety of technical routes and modules. The latest standard will replace the second versions of the IEC 61215 and IEC 61646.
   
   By changing from its independent to a serial standard, the IEC 61215 incorporates other technical routes and modules (including thin-film solar cells), further serialising the standard. As a result, room is reserved for PV modules with emerging technologies. Meanwhile, a new version of complete guidelines will be provided for design reference and model acceptance of crystalline silicon modules.
   
2. Updated Definition of Retest Guidelines
   
   The update clarifies the currently prevailing yet vague definition of "retest", which provides clearer standards pertaining to matching tests of marterials.
   
3. Rated Power of Label
   
   It stipulates that clients are required to provide a certain level of tolerance between the rated power and the actual testing results;
   
   Rated power of label is required to be more accurate, and it is recommended that modules' pre-treatment process be completed in a third-party laboratory.

IEC 61730

• The latest IEC 61730 meets the compatibility requirements of IEC 60664, which introduces many new concepts, including basic insulation, functional insulation, reinforced insulation, additional insulation, solid insulation, (equipment) classification, pollution level, leakage tracking index, material categorisation, adhesive seam, temperature index and relative thermal endurance index.
  
• Significantly enhanced safety requirements for electrical protection, mechanical performance, fire control and environmental durability.

How do the updated standards affect the current product designs, quality control, laboratory equipment and product certifications?

As the standard is currently at the drafting stage, the official announcement of IEC 61730 is expected during the third quarter. Product certification will be least affected, with the exception of certification bodies. Upon publication of the latest standard, there will be a transitional period and a mandatory period. The transitional period will provide a buffer during which enterprises can update their standards. However, early interpretation of the latest standard will provide PV enterprises with guidance in research and development, quality control and adjustments to production procedures while laboratories upgrade themselves to accommodate the updated standards.

TUV Rheinland is the first third-party certification body engaged in the laboratory testing of PV modules. In addition to laboratory testing, certification of PV modules and components includes factory inspection. To ensure the safety and reliability of the entire PV system life cycle, TUV Rheinland provides one-stop testing, evaluation and certification services pertaining to PV systems, which cover site evaluation and planning, installation and trial operation and full-scale operation.

Media Contact:

TUV Rheinland
Simon Hung
Tel: +852-2192-1948
Email: Simon.Hung@tuv.com  

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