Various bodies and independent organizations offer testing facilities and certification to solar photovoltaic panels. The key parameters that are subjected to test are the rated power, system configuration etc. and are awarded certifications based on their performance. Standards under the jurisdiction of ASTM committee E44; Florida Solar Energy Centre (FSEC), a research institute of the University of Central Florida; documents under IEC’s technical committee TC 82, European standards under the technical committee CLC/TC 82 Solar photovoltaic energy systems etc., offers standards and procedures to test and certify various aspect of solar photovoltaic panels like the rated power, system configuration and also BOS components.
Country | Standard/code/Technical committee/Institutes and Laboratories | Description |
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Europe | CEN ELEC/TC 82 Solar photovoltaic energy systems | Provides standard specifications and test methods pertaining to various aspects of PV systems (Panels and BOS) |
Europe | European Solar Test Installation (ESTI) | ESTI is fully accredited under ISO 17025 for calibration of PV devices |
Germany | Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) | Fraunhofer ISE is the largest solar energy research institute in Europe |
International | SEMI PV 1-52 | Provides standard specifications and test methods pertaining to various aspects of PV panels |
International | ISO TC180/SC1 | ISO Technical Committee 180, provides standards on Solar Energy (Climate - Measurement and data). |
Switzerland/International | IEC Technical Committee 82, Solar photovoltaic energy system | Provides standard specifications and test methods pertaining to various aspects of PV systems (Panels and BOS) |
USA | Florida Solar Energy Centre (FSEC) | Leading certification and testing laboratories for solar products and equipment in the USA |
USA/International | Underwriter Laboratories UL 1703/1704 | Provides standard specifications and test methods pertaining to various aspects of PV systems (Panels and BOS) |
USA/International | ASTM committee E44/ASTM sub committee E44.09 | Provides standard specifications and test methods pertaining to various aspects of PV systems (Panels and BOS) |