Quality certification and standards for grid-connected rooftop solar PV systems
Quality certification and standards for grid-connected rooftop solar PV systems are essential for the successful mass-scale implementation (in-order to achieve 40 GW of rooftop solar target under ‘National Solar Mission’ programme) of this technology. It is also imperative to put in place an efficient and rigorous monitoring mechanism, adherence to these standards. In-addition, a few standards which are still under development/draft need to be introduced in the ongoing rooftop solar PV programmes at the earliest. The relevant standards and certifications for a grid-connected rooftop solar PV system/plant (component-wise, upto LV- side) are given below: [currently, all applicable standards (International and Indian) are listed, and bifurcation of mandatory and advisory is done]
| Solar PV Modules/Panels | |
| IEC 61215/ IS 14286 | Design Qualification and Type Approval for Crystalline Silicon Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules |
| IEC 61646/ IS 16077 | Design Qualification and Type Approval for Thin-Film Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV)
Modules |
| IEC 62108 | Design Qualification and Type Approval for Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) Modules and Assemblies |
| IEC 61701- As applicable | Salt Mist Corrosion Testing of Photovoltaic (PV) Modules |
| IEC 61853- Part 1/ IS 16170 : Part 1 | Photovoltaic (PV) module performance testing and energy rating –: Irradiance and temperature performance measurements, and power rating |
| IEC 62716 | Photovoltaic (PV) Modules – Ammonia (NH3) Corrosion Testing
(Advisory – As per the site condition like dairies, toilets) |
| IEC 61730-1,2 | Photovoltaic (PV) Module Safety Qualification – Part 1: Requirements for Construction, Part 2: Requirements for Testing |
| IEC 62804 (Draft Specifications) | Photovoltaic (PV) modules – Test methods for the detection of potential-induced degradation (PID). IEC TS 62804-1: Part 1: Crystalline silicon
(Mandatory for system voltage is more than 600 VDC and advisory for system voltage is less than 600 VDC) |
| IEC 62759-1 | Photovoltaic (PV) modules – Transportation testing, Part 1: Transportation and shipping of module package units |
| Solar PV Inverters | |
| IEC 62109-1, IEC 62109-2 | Safety of power converters for use in photovoltaic power systems Safety compliance (Protection degree IP 65 for outdoor mounting, IP 54 for indoor mounting) |
| IEC/IS 61683
(For stand Alone System) |
Photovoltaic Systems – Power conditioners: Procedure for Measuring Efficiency (10%, 25%,
50%, 75% & 90-100% Loading Conditions) |
| BS EN 50530
(Will become IEC 62891) (For Grid Interactive system) |
Overall efficiency of grid-connected photovoltaic inverters:
This European Standard provides a procedure for the measurement of the accuracy of the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of inverters, which are used in grid-connected photovoltaic systems. In that case the inverter energizes a low voltage grid of stable AC voltage and constant frequency. Both the static and dynamic MPPT efficiency is considered. |
| IEC 62116/ UL 1741/ IEEE 1547 | Utility-interconnected Photovoltaic Inverters – Test Procedure of Islanding Prevention Measures |
| IEC 60255-27 | Measuring relays and protection equipment – Part 27: Product safety requirements |
| IEC 60068-2 (1, 2, 14, 27, 30 & 64) | Environmental Testing of PV System – Power Conditioners and Inverters |
| IEC 61000- 2,3,5 | Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing of PV Inverters (as applicable) |
| Fuses | |
| IS/IEC 60947 (Part 1, 2 & 3), EN 50521 | General safety requirements for connectors, switches, circuit breakers (AC/DC) |
| IEC 60269-6 | Low-voltage fuses – Part 6: Supplementary requirements for fuse-links for the protection of |
| solar photovoltaic energy systems | |
| Surge Arrestors | |
| IEC 61643-11:2011
/ IS 15086-5 (SPD) |
Low-voltage surge protective devices – Part 11: Surge protective devices connected to low- voltage power systems – Requirements and test methods |
| Cables | |
| IEC 60227/IS 694, IEC 60502/IS 1554
(Part 1 & 2) |
General test and measuring method for PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) insulated cables (for working voltages up to and including 1100 V, and UV resistant for outdoor installation) |
| BS EN 50618 | Electric cables for photovoltaic systems (BT(DE/NOT)258), mainly for DC cables |
| Earthing /Lightning | |
| IEC 62561 Series( Part 1,2 & &) (Chemical earthing) | IEC 62561-1
Lightning protection system components (LPSC) – Part 1: Requirements for connection components
IEC 62561-2 Lightning protection system components (LPSC) – Part 2: Requirements for conductors and earth electrodes
IEC 62561-7 Lightning protection system components (LPSC) – Part 7: Requirements for earthing enhancing compounds |
| Junction Boxes | |
| IEC 60529 | Junction boxes and solar panel terminal boxes shall be of the thermo plastic type with IP 65 protection for outdoor use, and IP 54 protection for indoor use |
| Energy Meter | |
| IS 16444 or as specified by the DISCOMs | a.c. Static direct connected watt-hour Smart Meter Class 1 and 2 — Specification (with Import & Export/Net energy measurements) |
| Solar PV Roof Mounting Structure | |
| IS 2062/IS 4759 | Material for the structure mounting |
Note- Equivalent standards may be used for different system components of the plants. In case of clarification following person/agencies may be contacted.
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (Govt. of India)
- National Institute of Solar Energy
- The Energy & Resources Institute
- TUV Rheinland
- UL
Source: MNRE