What is BS EN IEC 62788‑1‑7 about?
BS EN IEC 62788‑1‑7 is a part of a multi-series standard that deals with the performance qualifications of materials used in photovoltaic modules.
BS EN IEC 62788‑1‑7 is designed as a more rigorous qualification test, using accelerated UV exposure at elevated temperature to determine whether polymeric encapsulants can suffer the loss of optical transmittance.
BS EN IEC 62788‑1‑7 gives specifications for test procedures such as using the coupon specimens, applying stress at a greater intensity, using a radiation spectrum that is similar to the terrestrial solar spectrum, and using a duration of exposure that is more relevant to the PV application (i.e., equivalent to several years of outdoor exposure).
BS EN IEC 62788‑1‑7 is intended to apply to encapsulants used in PV modules deployed under temperature conditions of normal use. The test method given here is intended to be used to examine a particular encapsulant.
BS EN IEC 62788‑1‑7 covers PV technology constructed using a transparent incident surface/ encapsulant / photovoltaic device construction.
Note 1: The quantitative correlation between climate or location of use, a specific application (utility-installation, residential-installation, roof-mount, rackmount), and the test for each specific encapsulant material, is beyond the scope of BS EN IEC 62788‑1‑7.
Note 2: BS EN IEC 62788‑1‑7 does not cover incompatibilities between the encapsulant and other packaging materials.
Note 3: The relevance to other geometries where the encapsulant layer is located behind the photovoltaic device layer, is outside the scope of BS EN IEC 62788‑1‑7.
Who is BS EN IEC 62788‑1‑7 for?
BS EN IEC 62788‑1‑7 on the optical durability of encapsulants is useful for:
- Manufacturers and suppliers of photovoltaic (PV) devices
- Dealers and importers of photovoltaic (PV) devices
- Testing houses/ service providers of photovoltaic (PV) devices
- Entities dealing with photovoltaic (PV) devices
Why should you use BS EN IEC 62788‑1‑7?
The International PV Quality Assurance Task Force (PVQAT) leads global efforts to craft quality and reliability standards for solar energy technologies.
BS EN IEC 62788‑1‑7 gives you test methods to evaluate the optical durability of encapsulants for use in a PV module so that the risk of the materials losing optical transmittance during operation in terrestrial environments can be managed.
BS EN IEC 62788‑1‑7 serves the purpose to supplement qualification of encapsulants, which helps you in understanding the reliability issues related to the first few months of field use. It may also facilitate the pre-qualification of encapsulation materials using coupon specimens, as long-term weathering is not practical for larger module specimens.
BS EN IEC 62788‑1‑7 may help you to quickly assess a solar photovoltaic (PV) module's performance and ability to withstand weather stresses, thereby reducing risk and adding confidence for those developing products, designing incentive programs, and determining private investments.
