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IEC 61215-1
Edition 2.0 2021-02
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval –
Part 1: Test requirements
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IEC 61215-1
Edition 2.0 2021-02
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval –
Part 1: Test requirements
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 27.160 ISBN 978-2-8322-9491-8
– 2 – IEC 61215-1:2021 RLV © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 2
1 Scope and object . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 9
4 Test samples . 11
5 Marking and documentation . 13
5.1 Name plate . 13
5.2 Documentation . 14
5.2.1 Minimum requirements . 14
5.2.2 Information to be given in the documentation . 14
5.2.3 Assembly instructions . 15
6 Testing . 15
7 Pass criteria . 20
7.1 General . 20
7.2 Power output and electric circuitry . 20
7.2.1 Identification of rated values and tolerances . 21
7.2.2 Verification of rated label values → Gate No. 1 . 21
7.2.3 Maximum power degradation during type approval testing → Gate No. 2 . 27
7.2.4 Electrical circuitry . 27
7.3 Visual defects . 27
7.4 Electrical safety . 27
8 Major visual defects . 28
9 Report . 28
10 Modifications . 29
11 Test flow and procedures . 30
Annex A (informative) Changes from previous edition . 34
A.1 General . 34
A.2 Procedures for bifacial modules . 34
A.3 Use of representative samples . 36
A.4 Addition of dynamic mechanical load test . 37
A.5 Addition of test for potential induced degradation . 37
A.6 Simulator requirements . 39
A.6.1 General . 39
A.6.2 Rationale for changes to spectral requirements . 40
A.6.3 Rationale for changes to uniformity requirements . 41
A.7 References to retest guidelines . 42
A.8 Weight on junction boxes . 42
A.9 Correction to monolithically-integrated hot-spot endurance test . 42
A.10 Number of modules in sequence . 44
A.11 Removal of nominal module operating temperature (NMOT) . 45
A.12 Very low currents during thin-film tests . 46
A.13 Limit bypass diode testing to three diodes. 46
A.14 Revert the insulation test to 2005 version . 46
A.15 Bending test . 47
A.16 Stabilization option for boron oxygen LID (MQT 19.3) . 47
Bibliography . 48
Figure 1 – Geometry that shows radius of curvature of a flexible module . 10
Figure 2 – Full test flow for design qualification and type approval of photovoltaic
modules . 19
Figure 3 – Examples of hypothetical partial nameplates (left column), datasheets
(center column), and derived rated values and tolerances (right column) . 23
Figure A.1 – Derived temperature coefficients (α) for nine different mc‑Si products
types. 44
Table 1 – Required component tests . 20
Table 2 – Summary of Gate No. 1 requirements . 20
Table 3 – Summary of test levels . 31
Table A.1 – Published uncertainty values as a function of simulator uniformity class . 41
Table A.2 – Summary of foil placement during insulation test in three different
versions. . 46
– 4 – IEC 61215-1:2021 RLV © IEC 2021
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
TERRESTRIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) MODULES –
DESIGN QUALIFICATION AND TYPE APPROVAL –
Part 1: Test requirements
FOREWORD
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This redline version of the official IEC Standard allows the user to identify the changes made to
the previous edition IEC 61215-1:2016. A vertical bar appears in the margin wherever a change
has been made. Additions are in green text, deletions are in strikethrough red text.
International Standard IEC 61215-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 82: Solar
photovoltaic energy systems.
This second edition of IEC 61215-1 cancels and replaces the first edition of IEC 61215-1,
published in 2016; it constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) Addition of a test taken from IEC TS 62782.
b) Addition of a test taken from IEC TS 62804-1.
c) Addition of test methods required for flexible modules.
...