BS EN IEC 62892:2019 - Extended Thermal Cycling of PV Modules: Test Procedure

In the ever-evolving world of renewable energy, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) modules is paramount. The BS EN IEC 62892:2019 standard, titled "Extended Thermal Cycling of PV Modules: Test Procedure," is a crucial document that provides a comprehensive methodology for testing the durability and performance of PV modules under extended thermal cycling conditions.

Key Features of BS EN IEC 62892:2019

• Standard Number: BS EN IEC 62892:2019
• Pages: 24
• Release Date: June 14, 2019
• ISBN: 978 0 580 96394 0
• Status: Standard

Why is This Standard Important?

Photovoltaic modules are exposed to a wide range of environmental conditions throughout their operational life. These conditions include fluctuations in temperature, which can significantly impact the performance and longevity of the modules. The BS EN IEC 62892:2019 standard addresses this by providing a detailed test procedure for extended thermal cycling, ensuring that PV modules can withstand these temperature variations without compromising their efficiency or structural integrity.

Ensuring Durability and Performance

The extended thermal cycling test outlined in this standard is designed to simulate the thermal stresses that PV modules experience in real-world conditions. By subjecting the modules to repeated cycles of heating and cooling, the test evaluates their ability to maintain performance over time. This is crucial for manufacturers, installers, and end-users who rely on the consistent output of solar energy systems.

Comprehensive Testing Methodology

The BS EN IEC 62892:2019 standard provides a thorough and systematic approach to testing. It includes specific guidelines on the temperature ranges, cycle durations, and the number of cycles required to accurately assess the thermal endurance of PV modules. This ensures that the test results are reliable and can be used to make informed decisions about the quality and suitability of different PV module designs.

Who Can Benefit from This Standard?

This standard is an invaluable resource for a wide range of stakeholders in the solar energy industry, including:

• Manufacturers: By adhering to the test procedures outlined in this standard, manufacturers can demonstrate the durability and reliability of their PV modules, gaining a competitive edge in the market.
• Installers: Installers can use the information provided in this standard to select PV modules that are proven to withstand thermal cycling, ensuring long-term performance and customer satisfaction.
• Researchers and Developers: The standard serves as a foundation for further research and development in the field of PV module testing, helping to drive innovation and improve the overall quality of solar energy systems.
• Regulatory Bodies: Regulatory bodies can use this standard to establish benchmarks for PV module performance, ensuring that products meet the necessary safety and efficiency criteria.

Conclusion

The BS EN IEC 62892:2019 standard is an essential tool for anyone involved in the design, manufacture, installation, or regulation of photovoltaic modules. By providing a detailed test procedure for extended thermal cycling, it helps ensure that PV modules can withstand the rigors of real-world conditions, delivering reliable and efficient solar energy for years to come.

With its comprehensive guidelines and rigorous testing methodology, this standard is a testament to the commitment of the solar industry to quality and innovation. Whether you are a manufacturer looking to validate your products, an installer seeking reliable components, or a researcher pushing the boundaries of solar technology, the BS EN IEC 62892:2019 standard is an indispensable resource that will help you achieve your goals.

BS EN IEC 62892:2019

• 27.160 Solar energy engineering

This document defines a test sequence that extends the thermal cycling test of IEC 61215-2. It is intended to differentiate PV modules with improved durability to thermal cycling and evaluate modules for deployment in locations most susceptible to thermal cycling type stress¹. This document is based on the ability for 95 % of the modules represented by the samples submitted for this test to pass an equivalency of 500 thermal cycles, as defined in IEC 61215-2:2016, 4.11.3, with a maximum power degradation of less than 5 %. Provisions are also provided to reduce overall test time by increasing the maximum cycle temperature and/or the number of modules submitted for test.

The test procedure in this document was developed based on analysis of the stress on tin-lead solder bonds on crystalline silicon solar cells in a glass superstrate type package. Changes to lead-free solder have an effect on the acceleration factors but not enough to change the overall results of this test. Monolithic type modules with integral cell interconnection do not suffer from this specific type of stress but there are still electrical connections within the module, for example between the integrated cell circuit and the module bus bars, that may be subject to wear out from thermal cycling. Flexible modules (without glass) are not stressed in the same way as those with glass superstrates or substrates, therefore use of the equivalency factor employed in this document may not be applicable to these modules.