CAN/CSA-IEC C61215-1-2:18 (R2023)

Preface:

This is the first edition of CAN/CSA-IEC 61215-1-2, Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules — Design qualification and type approval — Part 1-2: Special requirements for testing of thin-film Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) based photovoltaic (PV) modules, which is an adoption without modification of the identically titled IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) Standard 61215-1-2 (first edition, 2016-12). It replaces CAN/CSA-IEC 61646:10, Thin-film terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules — Design qualification and type approval (adopted IEC 61646:2008).

For brevity, this Standard will be referred to as "CAN/CSA-IEC 61215-1-2" throughout.

This Standard is intended to be used in conjunction with CAN/CSA-IEC 61215-1:18, Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules — Design qualification and type approval — Part 1: Test requirements (adopted IEC 61215-1:2016) and CAN/CSA-IEC 61215-2:18, Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules — Design qualification and type approval — Part 2: Test procedures (adopted IEC 61215-2:2016).

This Standard identifies requirements for the design qualification and type approval of terrestrial photovoltaic modules suitable for long-term operation in general open-air climates, as defined in IEC 60721-2-1:2013, Classification of environmental conditions — Part 2- 1: Environmental conditions appearing in nature — Temperature and humidity. This Standard is intended to apply to all thin-film CdTe based terrestrial flat plate modules. As such, it addresses special requirements for testing of this technology supplementing CAN/CSA-IEC 61215-1:2018 and CAN/CSA-IEC 61215-2:2018 requirements for testing.

This Standard defines PV technology dependent modifications to the testing procedures and requirements per CAN/CSA-IEC 61215-1:2018 and CAN/CSA-IEC 61215-2:2018.

This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group.

Scope and object:

This part of IEC 61215 lays down IEC requirements for the design qualification and type approval of terrestrial photovoltaic modules suitable for long-term operation in general open-air climates, as defined in IEC 60721-2-1. This document is intended to apply to all thin-film CdTe based terrestrial flat plate modules. As such, it addresses special requirements for testing of this technology supplementing IEC 61215-1:2016 and IEC 61215-2:2016 requirements for testing.

This document does not apply to modules used with concentrated sunlight although it may be utilized for low concentrator modules (1 to 3 suns). For low concentration modules, all tests are performed using the current, voltage and power levels expected at the design concentration.

The object of this test sequence is to determine the electrical and thermal characteristics of the module and to show, as far as possible within reasonable constraints of cost and time, that the module is capable of withstanding prolonged exposure in climates described in the scope. The actual lifetime expectancy of modules so qualified will depend on their design, their environment and the conditions under which they are operated.

This document defines PV technology dependent modifications to the testing procedures and requirements per IEC 61215-1:2016 and IEC 61215-2:2016.