What is BS EN 62805-2- Transmittance and reflectance of Photovoltaic (PV) glass about?
The IEC 62805 series covers methods for measuring PV glass. The main objective of the IEC 62805 series is to equip entities in the field of solar energy engineering with best industry techniques to assess whether their PV glass products meet the required performance and quality benchmarks.
BS EN 62805-2 is the second part of the multi-series document that specifies methods for measuring the transmittance and reflectance of glass used in photovoltaic (PV) modules and provides instructions on how to calculate the effective hemispherical transmittance and reflectance of this glass.
BS EN 62805-2 is applicable to PV glasses used in PV modules, including ultra-clear patterned glass, anti-reflective coated (AR) glass, transparent conductive oxide coated (TCO) glass, and other kinds of PV glass used in PV modules.
These test methods have been found useful and practical for glass having both specular and diffuse optical properties.
Who is BS EN 62805-2- Transmittance and reflectance of PV glass for?
BS EN 62805-2 on methods for measuring PV glass is useful for:
- PV glass manufacturers
- PV module manufacturers
- PV power system manufacturers
- Solar cells and solar panel manufacturers
- Entities involved in the field of solar energy engineering
- Aerospace and automotive industry
Why should you use BS EN 62805-2- Transmittance and reflectance of PV glass?
The ratio of the radiant flux of solar energy incident vertically on a glass surface to the transmitted radiant flux or reflected radiant flux is referred to as solar transmittance and solar reflectance, respectively. As photon flux is important in determining the number of carriers that are generated and hence the current produced by a solar cell, the spectral photon flux (photon irradiance) is used in BS EN 62805-2 for calculation of the transmittance and reflectance of PV glass.
Test methods BS EN 62805-2 provide you reproducible transmittance and reflectance data appropriate for comparison of results among laboratories or at different times by the same laboratory and for comparison of data obtained on different PV glasses.
The aim of BS EN 62805-2 is:
- To provide a specific method for measuring transmittance and reflectance of PV glass, especially PV glass having both specular and diffuse optical properties
- To develop the procedure for measuring transmittance and reflectance in the solar cell response wavelength range, typically from 280 nm to 1 250 nm
- To provide a method for calculating the transmittance and reflectance using the spectral photon irradiance spectrum in the solar cell response wavelength range, typically from 280 nm to 1 250 nm
If you are a manufacturer, adopting BS EN 62805-2 guidelines on precise measurement of hemispherical transmittance and reflectance, can ultimately help improve solar cell efficiency.
