PD IEC TS 63163:2021 - Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules for Consumer Products

Standard Number: PD IEC TS 63163:2021

Pages: 26

Released: 2021-10-04

ISBN: 978 0 580 52040 2

Status: Standard

Overview

The PD IEC TS 63163:2021 standard is a comprehensive guideline for the design qualification and type approval of terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules intended for consumer products. Released on October 4, 2021, this 26-page document provides essential criteria and testing methods to ensure the reliability, efficiency, and safety of PV modules used in various consumer applications.

Why Choose PD IEC TS 63163:2021?

In the rapidly evolving world of renewable energy, ensuring the quality and performance of photovoltaic modules is crucial. The PD IEC TS 63163:2021 standard offers a robust framework for manufacturers, designers, and quality assurance professionals to adhere to the highest industry standards. By following this standard, you can be confident that your PV modules will meet the stringent requirements necessary for consumer products.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Design Qualification: The standard outlines detailed design qualification procedures to ensure that PV modules are built to last and perform optimally under various environmental conditions.
• Type Approval: It provides a clear pathway for obtaining type approval, which is essential for market entry and consumer trust.
• Reliability Testing: The document includes rigorous testing methods to assess the reliability and durability of PV modules over their expected lifespan.
• Safety Standards: Safety is paramount, and this standard ensures that all PV modules meet the necessary safety criteria to protect consumers and property.
• Performance Metrics: Detailed performance metrics are provided to evaluate the efficiency and output of PV modules, ensuring they meet the expected energy production levels.

Who Should Use This Standard?

The PD IEC TS 63163:2021 standard is designed for a wide range of stakeholders in the photovoltaic industry, including:

• Manufacturers: Ensure your PV modules meet the highest quality and performance standards.
• Designers: Utilize the guidelines to create innovative and reliable PV modules for consumer products.
• Quality Assurance Professionals: Implement rigorous testing and validation procedures to maintain product integrity.
• Regulatory Bodies: Reference the standard to enforce compliance and safety in the photovoltaic market.

Benefits of Compliance

Adhering to the PD IEC TS 63163:2021 standard offers numerous benefits, including:

• Market Access: Gain easier access to global markets by meeting internationally recognized standards.
• Consumer Confidence: Build trust with consumers by providing PV modules that are certified for quality and safety.
• Reduced Risk: Minimize the risk of product failures and recalls through comprehensive testing and validation.
• Competitive Advantage: Stand out in the market with PV modules that meet the highest industry standards.

Detailed Contents

The PD IEC TS 63163:2021 standard covers a wide range of topics essential for the design and approval of PV modules, including:

• Introduction to Photovoltaic Modules
• Design Qualification Procedures
• Type Approval Process
• Reliability and Durability Testing
• Safety and Compliance Requirements
• Performance Evaluation Metrics
• Environmental Impact Considerations
• Documentation and Reporting Guidelines

Conclusion

The PD IEC TS 63163:2021 standard is an indispensable resource for anyone involved in the design, manufacture, and quality assurance of terrestrial photovoltaic modules for consumer products. By adhering to this standard, you can ensure that your PV modules are reliable, efficient, and safe, providing peace of mind to both manufacturers and consumers alike.

Invest in the future of renewable energy with the PD IEC TS 63163:2021 standard and take a significant step towards a sustainable and energy-efficient world.

PD IEC TS 63163:2021

This standard PD IEC TS 63163:2021 Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules for consumer products. Design qualification and type approval is classified in these ICS categories:

• 27.160 Solar energy engineering

This document is intended to apply to terrestrial modules for consumer applications for outdoor operation shorter than those qualified to IEC 61215. The useful service life of modules so qualified depends on their design, their environment and the conditions under which they are operated.

This document classes those PV modules into Category 1, Category 2, and Category 3 with respectively low, medium and high expected outdoor exposure. For the purposes of designing this document, Category 1 (mobile applications) is for applications such as smart phone charging which most likely have “low” outdoor exposure. Category 2 (portable applications) is for emergency power/hiking/camping applications with “medium” outdoor exposure and it needs to have mechanical durability testing due to repeated deployment, potential for being dropped, and other mechanical stresses. Category 3 (attached applications) is for “high” outdoor exposure for applications, such as for motor homes, but is not intended for long-term utility or long-term household rooftop applications. A summary of product categories and potential applications is presented in Annex A.

Category 1 products are intended for installation where general user access and contact to uninsulated live parts is anticipated. Modules are not be combined in series strings operating at more than 35 V (V_oc) and do not have a system voltage rating above 35 V. These PV modules are not intended for use in parallel with other PV modules or energy sources, unless the combination provides protection from reverse current and overvoltage protection. The shortcircuit current is less than 8 A and the maximum power is less than 240 W when tested under standard test conditions.

This document does not address the particularities of PV modules with integrated electronics, such as energy storage devices, charge controllers, batteries, inverters which may be sold in conjunction with the PV modules. This specification is intended to qualify the PV portion of these devices. It may, however, be used as a basis for testing such PV modules, but does not qualify the electronic portion.

This document does not apply to modules used with concentrators.

The purpose of the test sequence is to determine the electrical, thermal, and mechanical durability characteristics of the module, and to show that the module is capable of withstanding outdoor exposure for different outdoor durations designated as “low”, “medium”, and “high”. Mobile and attached applications are considered to require lower mechanical durability than portable applications, which are more prone to mechanical damage. However, the actual outdoor exposure limits of the modules depend on their design, their environment and the conditions under which they are operated.