ABSTRACT
Design qualification test schedules for photovoltaic (pv) modules have been published in the USA, Europe, Australia, France and Japan. The calibration of primary reference cells is the key to good performance measurement. Secondary calibrations are carried out by simultaneously measuring the short-circuit currents of primary and secondary reference cells in natural sunlight or a class A simulator. The irradiance monitor may be a vacuum thermocouple, a pyroelectric radiometer or other suitable detector. Another alternative is to use a previously calibrated reference solar cell whose relative spectral response covers the required range. For design qualification, it is necessary to submit eight representative samples of the module. The chapter includes several design qualification tests such as visual inspection, insulation test, electrical performance at standard test, hot-spot endurance test, pre-conditioning test, ultraviolet irradiation test, high-temperature storage test, high-temperature high-humidity storage test and mounting twist test.
