Testing and Measurement
The Solar Energy industry relies on standardization for many things, including testing energy conversion, reflectance or materials properties, fabricating arrays, integrating into the smart grid, or assuring workplace safety.
ASTM E927-19
Standard Classification for Solar Simulators for Electrical Performance Testing of Photovoltaic Devices
1.1 This classification provides means for assessing the suitability of solar simulators for indoor electrical performance testing of photovoltaic cells and modules, that is, for measurement current-voltage curves under artificial illumination. 1.2 Solar simulators are classified according to their ability to reproduce a reference spectral irradiance distribution (see Tables G138 and E490 ), the uniformity of total irradiance across the test plane, and the stability of total irradiance over time. 1.3 A solar simulator usually consists of three major components: (1) light source(s) and associated power supplies; (2) optics and filters required to modify the irradiance at the test plane; and (3) controls to operate the simulator, including irradiance adjustment. 1.4 This classification is applicable to both pulsed and steady-state solar simulators. 1.5 Many solar simulators also include integral data acquisition systems for photovoltaic performance testing; these data acquisition systems are outside of the scope of this classification. 1.6 Light sources for weathering, durability, or conditioning of photovoltaic devices are outside of the scope of this classification. 1.7 This classification is not applicable to solar simulators intended for testing photovoltaic concentrator devices. 1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.9 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the hazards portion, Section 6 , of this classification. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.10 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
IEC 60904-3 Ed. 4.0 b:2019
Photovoltaic devices - Part 3: Measurement principles for terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) solar devices with reference spectral irradiance data
IEC 60904-3:2019 describes basic measurement principles for determining the electrical output of PV devices. The principles given in this document are designed to relate the performance rating of PV devices to a common reference terrestrial solar spectral irradiance distribution. The reference terrestrial solar spectral irradiance distribution is given in this document in order to classify solar simulators according to the spectral performance requirements contained in IEC 60904-9. The principles contained in this standard cover testing in both natural and simulated sunlight. This new edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) all spectral data were recalculated due to some minor calculation and rounding errors in the third edition; the global spectral irradiance returned to exactly the data of the second edition; b) the angular distribution of the irradiance was clarified.
IEC 60904-4 Ed. 2.0 b:2019
Photovoltaic devices - Part 4: Reference solar devices - Procedures for establishing calibration traceability
IEC 60904-4:2019 is available as IEC 60904-4:2019 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition. IEC 60904-4:2019 sets the requirements for calibration procedures intended to establish the traceability of photovoltaic (PV) reference devices to SI units as required by IEC 60904-2. This document applies to PV reference devices that are used to measure the irradiance of natural or simulated sunlight for the purpose of quantifying the performance of PV devices. The use of a PV reference device is required in many standards concerning PV (e.g. IEC 60904-1 and IEC 60904-3). This document has been written with single-junction PV reference devices in mind, in particular crystalline silicon, but it is sufficiently general to include other single-junction technologies. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2009. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: modification of standard title; - inclusion of working reference in traceability chain; - update of WRR with respect to SI; - revision of all methods and their uncertainties in annex - harmonization of symbols and formulae with other IEC standards.
IEC 60904-9 Ed. 3.0 b:2020
Photovoltaic devices - Part 9: Classification of solar simulator characteristics
IEC 60904-9:2020 is applicable for solar simulators used in PV test and calibration laboratories and in manufacturing lines of solar cells and PV modules. This document define classifications of solar simulators for use in indoor measurements of terrestrial photovoltaic devices. Solar simulators are classified as A+, A, B or C based on criteria of spectral distribution match, irradiance non-uniformity in the test plane and temporal instability of irradiance. This document provides the required methodologies for determining the classification of solar simulators in each of the categories. A solar simulator which does not meet the minimum requirements of class C cannot be classified according to this document. This document is used in combination with IEC TR 60904-14, which deals with best practice recommendations for production line measurements of single-junction PV module maximum power output and reporting at standard test conditions. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition issued in 2007. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: - Changed title; - Added spectral match classification in an extended wavelength range; - Introduction of new A+ class; - Definition of additional parameters for spectral irradiance evaluation; - Added apparatus sections for spectral irradiance measurement and spatial uniformity measurement; - Revised procedure for spectral match classification (minimum 4 measurement locations); - Revised measurement procedure for spatial uniformity of irradiance; - Added informative Annex for sensitivity analysis of spectral mismatch error related to solar simulator spectral irradiance.
ASTM E1084-86(2015)
Standard Test Method for Solar Transmittance (Terrestrial) of Sheet Materials Using Sunlight
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of solar transmittance (terrestrial) of materials in sheet form by using a pyranometer, an enclosure, and the sun as the energy source. 1.2 This test method also allows measurement of solar transmittance at angles other than normal incidence. 1.3 This test method is applicable to sheet materials that are transparent, translucent, textured, or patterned. 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ASTM E424-71(2015)
Standard Test Methods for Solar Energy Transmittance and Reflectance (Terrestrial) of Sheet Materials
1.1 These test methods cover the measurement of solar energy transmittance and reflectance (terrestrial) of materials in sheet form. Method A, using a spectrophotometer, is applicable for both transmittance and reflectance and is the referee method. Method B is applicable only for measurement of transmittance using a pyranometer in an enclosure and the sun as the energy source. Specimens for Method A are limited in size by the geometry of the spectrophotometer while Method B requires a specimen 0.61 m 2 (2 ft 2 ). For the materials studied by the drafting task group, both test methods give essentially equivalent results. 1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
SAE J 1559-2011 (SAE J1559-2011)
Measurement of Solar Heating Effect
This document specifies a test method for simulating solar heating in the laboratory and measuring the radiant heat energy from a natural or simulated source. This standard is applicable to all off-road, self-propelled work machines as listed in the scope of SAE J 1116 (Rev Nov 2004) when equipped with an operator enclosure system.
ISO 14438:2002
Glass in building - Determination of energy balance value - Calculation method
This European Standard specifies a calculation method to determine the energy balance value of glazing. This European Standard applies to transparent materials such as glass and combinations of glass used to glaze windows in buildings. This method is intended to evaluate the balance of heat loss and useful heat gain by solar radiation entering the building through the glazing for a given period by means of an average rate of loss (or gain) of heat called the energy balance value. The method enables producers to compare the performance of their glazing products. The energy balance value should not be used for energy use or heating capacity calculations in buildings.
ISO 9060:2018
Solar energy - Specification and classification of instruments for measuring hemispherical solar and direct solar radiation
This document establishes a classification and specification of instruments for the measurement of hemispherical solar and direct solar radiation integrated over the spectral range from approximately 0,3 m to about 3 m to 4 m. Instruments for the measurement of hemispherical solar radiation and direct solar radiation are classified according to the results obtained from indoor or outdoor performance tests. This document does not specify the test procedures.
ISO 9553:1997
Solar energy - Methods of testing preformed rubber seals and sealing compounds used in collectors
This International Standard gives requirements for the classification and testing of rubbers used to seal solar energy collectors in order to aid selection for specific applications. The design requirements in this International Standard pertain only to permissible deflection of the rubber during thermal expansion or retraction of the seal in use and to the tolerances on dimensions of moulded and extruded seals. This International Standard does not include requirements pertaining to geometrical design, fabrication or installation of the seals. This International Standard is applicable in conjunction with long-term ageing and weathering tests. However, if long-term tests are performed, it is recommended that ISO 4892-2 be complied with for ageing tests and ISO 877 for accelerated weathering tests and material exposure tests, respectively.
ANSI/ASHRAE 96-1980 (RA 1989)
Methods of Testing to Determine the Thermal Performance of Unglazed Flat-Plate Liquid-Type Solar Collectors
Provides test methods for determining thermal performance of unglazed flat-plate liquid-type solar energy collector modules that heat a liquid for low temperature applications. Applies to collectors used in low temperature applications and in which a liquid enters the collector through a single inlet and leaves through a single outlet. Dual units of measurement.
