Laboratory Testing of Photovoltaic Modules and Related Materials-NOA Testing & Certification Group

Laboratory Testing of Photovoltaic Modules and Related Materials

With the vigorous development of the photovoltaic industry, photovoltaic modules are the core components of photovoltaic power plants. Due to the large number of auxiliary materials in the modules, the defects of the auxiliary materials of the modules and the overall problems caused by them may accelerate the aging of the modules, cause the efficiency to drop or fail. Therefore, how to ensure the long-term quality and overall performance of auxiliary materials is the key to testing the production level of components. When the module attenuation exceeds expectations, the efficiency of the photovoltaic power plant system will also drop significantly. During the production, transportation, installation and operation of modules, due to uncertain factors such as equipment, technology, materials, management, and personnel, quality problems and hidden dangers may occur in modules. Product certification and testing have introduced relevant standards to ensure that the performance of photovoltaic modules can cope with various climatic environments. Modules can be fully tested according to standards such as IEC 61215 and IEC 61730.

NOA Photovoltaic Laboratory can conduct related tests of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules, thin film photovoltaic modules, and concentrated photovoltaic modules. The testing capabilities cover all mainstream standards at home and abroad. While ensuring sufficient test capacity, for PERC, heterojunction and other emerging new technologies, we have corresponding equipment upgrades and technical capabilities upgrades and have successfully completed tests, including IEC 61215-2:2021 Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules-Design qualification and type approval, IEC 61701 Photovoltaic (PV) modules - Salt mist corrosion testing, IEC 61730-2:2016 Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification – Part 2: Requirements for testing, IEC TS 62782-2016 Photovoltaic (PV) modules – Cyclic (dynamic) mechanical load testing, IEC/TS 62804-1:2015 Photovoltaic (PV) modules – Test methods for the detection of potential-induced degradation – Part 1-1: Crystalline silicon – Delamination, GB/T 9535-1998 Crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic(PV) modules-design qualification and type approval, IEC61853-1:2011 Photovoltaic (PV) module performance testing and energy rating – Part 1: Irradiance and temperature performance measurements and power rating and other standards, obtained CMA, CNAS and other relevant qualifications, and can provide effective inspection and test reports.

Service Content

IEC61215 Test content
Visual inspection	Maximum power determination	Insulation test	Measurement of temperature coefficient
Measurement of nominal module operating temperature	Performance at STC	Performance at low irradiance	Outdoor exposure test
Hot Spot Durability Test	UV preconditioning test 15 kWh/m2	Thermal cycle test TC50/TC200 by sequence	Humidity Freeze Test HF10
Damp heat test DH1000	Robustness of terminations test	Wet leakage current test	Mechanical load test
Hail test	Bypass Diode Thermal Test	Diode Performance Test	Stability

/	Dry heat conditioning	Cold conditioning	UV test 15/60 kWh/m2
Robustness of terminations Test	Thermal cycling test MST51 is divided into TC50/TC200 in sequence	Humidity Freeze Test	Damp heat test
Static Mechanical Load Test	Peel Test	Lap Shear Strength Test	Materials creep Test
Bypass Diode Thermal Test	Reverse current overload test	Module breakage test	Screw connection test
Temperature test	Hot spot endurance Test	Fire test	Ignitability Test
Continuity test of equipotential bonding	Impulse voltage test	Insulation test	Wet leakage current test
Durability of markings	Sharp edge test	Bypass diode functionality test	Cut susceptibility test
Visual inspection	Performance at STC	Maximum power determination	Insulation Thickness Test
IEC61730 Test content

Reference Standard

1. IEC 61215-1-1: 2021 Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules - Design Qualification And Type Approval - Part 1-1: Special Requirements For Testing Of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic (PV) Modules

2. IEC 61215-2: 2021 Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval - Part 2: Test procedures

3. IEC 61730-1: 2016 Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification - Part 1: Requirements for construction

4. IEC 61730-2: 2016 Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification - Part 2: Requirements for testing

5. GB/T 9535: 1998 Crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic(PV) modules-design qualification and type approval

6. IEC 60904-1: 2020 Photovoltaic devices - Part 1: Measurement of photovoltaic current-voltage characteristics

7. UL 61730-2: 2017 Photovoltaic (PV) Module Safety Qualification - Part 2: Requirements for Testing

8. UL 1703: 2012 Standard for Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels

9. IEC TS 62804-1: 2015 Photovoltaic (PV) modules - Test methods for the detection of potential-induced degradation - Part 1: Crystalline silicon

10. IEC 61853-1: 2011 Photovoltaic (PV) module performance testing and energy rating – Part 1: Irradiance and temperature performance measurements and power rating

11. IEC 60068-2-68: 1994 Environmental testing - Part 2-68: Tests - Test L: Dust and sand

12. IEC TS 62782: 2016 Photovoltaic (PV) modules - Cyclic (dynamic) mechanical load testing

13. Other technical requirements of the client

Service Process

Q&A

The photovoltaic power station system is composed of photovoltaic modules, inverters, combiner boxes, brackets and other components. If a problem occurs in one of the links, it will affect the operation of the power station, resulting in a loss of power generation, and a fire in severe cases.

1. What are the general judgment conditions for module visual inspection?

(1) Broken, cracked, or torn external surfaces;

(2) Bent or misaligned external surfaces, including superstrates, substrates, frames and junction boxes to the extent that the operation of the PV module would be impaired;

(3) Bubbles or delaminations forming a continuous path between electric circuit and the edge of the module;

(4) if the mechanical integrity depends on lamination or other means of adhesion, the sum of the area of all bubbles shall not exceed 1% of the total module area;

(5) Evidence of any molten or burned encapsulant, backsheet, frontsheet, diode or active PV component;

(6) Loss of mechanical integrity to the extent that the installation and operation of the module would be impaired;

(7) Cracked/broken cells which can remove more than 10% of the cell's photovoltaic active area from the electrical circuit of the PV module;

(8) Voids in, or visible corrosion of any of the layers of the active (live) circuitry of the module extending over more than 10% of any cell;

(9) Broken interconnections, joints or terminals;

(10) Any short-circuited live parts or exposed live electrical parts;

(11) Module markings (label) are no longer attached or the information is unreadable.

2. What does the STC condition refer to?

(1) Light intensity: 1000 W m-2

(2) Module temperature: 25±1℃

(3) Standard air mass: AM1.5

3. What is the purpose of the outdoor exposure test?

Preliminary evaluation of the module's ability to withstand exposure to outdoor conditions may reveal combined attenuation effects that may not be detectable in laboratory tests.

4. What is the purpose of the hot spot endurance test?

Determines the component's ability to withstand hot spot heating effects that can lead to solder melting or package degradation. Defective, mismatched, partially shaded or soiled cells can cause this defect. Because absolute temperature and relative power loss are not criteria for this test, the most severe hot spot conditions are used to ensure the safety of the design.

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Authoritative Qualification

NOA has been approved by Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China（CNCA）(CNCA-R-2002-051), and has obtained qualification of China Inspection Body and Laboratory Mandatory Approval (CMA),and has passed the multiple approvals of China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS), International Accreditation Service (IAS), United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ). NOA has been approved by State Administration for Market Regulation of China, and has been recognized as inspection and testing institution of China's special equipment, as well as the qualification of China's national equipment supervision and engineering supervision. NOA-DCI is the notified body of the CE directive of the European Commission. NOA has been recognized by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IECQ) by obtaining Electronic Component Quality Assessment System. It is also a national inspection and assessment notified body of import and export commodity in China.NOA is a high-tech enterprise in Shanghai.

Improve Performance, Realize Asset Value Appreciation, and Service Throughout the Entire Value Chain

From pre-design to post-operation, NOA has the ability to guarantee the whole life cycle of the business. NOA, as an independent third-party inspection company, has a large number of domestic and international standards and specifications proficient in design, welding, non-destructive testing, painting, packaging and other fields The experienced team of professional engineers and inspection experts, with more than ten years of experience in the domestic market, is familiar with all aspects of the domestic industrial equipment supply chain, and can provide you with technical support services for the full life cycle of technical services in a timely manner, combining various products. Inspection, certification, testing, consulting, and auditing services can provide you with one-stop all-round comprehensive services.

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NOA has formed a mature and solid operation system in the development of more than 20 years. We let technical experts who are familiar with market regulations and testing standards and have professional industry experience to carry out inspection, evaluation and design review work. While meeting the requirements of domestic and international standards, we ensure that customers can obtain satisfactory service results in the first time with accurate time-sensitive management methods, and ensure that customers can seize the opportunity in the market competition.

Service Area

NOA inspection services currently cover Europe, Australia, Russia, some Middle East regions and most regions in China. NOA can ensure the consistency and continuity of customer service in different regions, and eliminate the impact of unfamiliar environments on customer quality. The guarantees and the impact of project implementation enable customers to participate in different markets across the country or around the world with flawless quality.

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