UL 61215-1-1 TERRESTRIAL PHOTovOLTAIC (PV) MODULES- DESIGN QUALIFICATION AND TYPE APPROVAL -Part 1-1: Specialrequirements for testing of crystalline silicon photovoltaic(PV)modules

UL 61215-1-1 TERRESTRIAL PHOTovOLTAIC (PV) MODULES- DESIGN QUALIFICATION AND TYPE APPROVAL -Part 1-1: Specialrequirements for testing of crystalline silicon photovoltaic(PV)modules 1 Scope This document lays down requirements for the design qualification of terrestrial photovoltaic modulessuitable for long-term operation in open-air climates. The useful service life of modules so qualified willdepend on their design, their environment and the conditions under which they are operated. Test resultsare not construed as a quantitative prediction of module lifetime. In climates where 98T percentileoperating temperatures exceed 70 °C, users are recommended to consider testing to higher temperaturetest conditions as described in lEC TS 63126. Users desiring qualification of PV products with lesser lifetime expectations are recommended to considertesting designed for PV in consumer electronics, as described in lIEC 63163(under development). Userswishing to gain confidence that the characteristics tested in IEC 61215 appear consistently in amanufactured product may wish to utilize lEC 62941 regarding quality systems in PV manufacturing. This document is intended to apply to all crystalline silicon terrestrial flat plate modules. This document does not apply to modules used with concentrated sunlight although it may be utilized forlow concentrator modules (1 to 3 suns).For low concentration modules, all tests are performed using theirradiance, current,voltage and power levels expected at the design concentration. The objective of this test sequence is to determine the electrical characteristics of the module and to show,as far as possible within reasonable constraints of cost and time，that the module is capable ofwithstanding prolonged exposure outdoors. Accelerated test conditions are empirically based on thosenecessary to reproduce selected observed field failures and are applied equally across module types.Acceleration factors may vary with product design and thus not all degradation mechanisms may manifest.Further general information on accelerated test methods including definitions of terms may be found inIEC62506.