German Yia Hall, U.P. Campus, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101 Philippines
Telephone: (632) 434-3660 / (632) 434-3661 Fax No. (632) 922-4714 / (632) 434-3661
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The proposed Philippine National Standards (PNS) for the Philippine Photovoltaic Industry was developed because of the need for a quality control and quality assurance for PV components such as PV modules, battery charge controller, •inverters and appliances for PV applications. There is also no feedback mechanism for products and systems performance between users, manufacturers and government agencies and other research laboratories implementing PV projects.
This PNS Standard was prepared by the dedicated and dynamic people of the U.P. Solar
Laboratory for without their contribution and dedication, this Standard will not be possible.
The Committee on Photovoltaic Standards of the Solar Laboratory are composed of:
Chairman Rowaldo R. del Mundo
Vice-Chairman:
Members
Reynaldo A. Reynaldo
Ericson C. Aquino Cirila T.
Baco Edwin R. Cruz Fidelpio
V. Ferraris Jonathan D.
Fuentes Israel F. Gutay
Edwin A. Josef Ariel P. Manila
Reyman M. Selirio
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Proposed Philippine National Photovoltaic Standards A Status
Report
1.0 Introduction
Photovoltaic (PV) technology is considered a mature technology. During the past 10 years several large scale dissemination of PV systems, particularly Solar Home Systems, experienced system and component breakdowns because of poor balance of system (BOS) component design and insufficient information campaign on the technical aspect of the technology.
As a result, a lot of potential PV users perceive the technology to be unreliable and only imported components are the only ones reliable. Such a perception might be a hindrance for the commercialization of PV systems and for the local assembly and manufacture of the balance of systems in the country.
Clearly, there is no quality control and quality assurance standards for PV systems, components and general safety practices.
2.0 Standards Submitted for Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) Adoption
2.1 Crystalline Silicon Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules - Design Qualification and
Type Approval.
There are currently existing International Standards for Crystalline Silicon Terrestrial
Photovoltaic modules. The UP Solar Laboratory made a comparative analysis of the existing standards such as those from ASTM, CEC, JIS, ANSI/IEEE and IEC. The comparative analysis of existing international standards on crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules is shown in
Appendix 1.
The UP Solar Laboratory proposes that the IEC Standard 1215 with revision for Philippine conditions be adopted by the Bureau of Product Standards for crystalline silicon PV modules. See
Appendix 2 for the proposed revisions and a copy of IEC Standard 1215.
2.2 Thin-Film Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PT7) Modules - Design Qualification and Type
Approval.
The UP Solar Laboratory proposes that the IEC Standards 1646 be adopted by the Bureau of
Product Standards for thin-film PV modules. See Appendix 3 for the proposed standard.
2.3 Battery Charge Controller for Photovoltaic Applications - General, Safety, and Performance
Requirements.
The object of this standard is to determine the electrical characteristics of the battery charge controller and to ensure that the minimum safety requirements are satisfied.
This standard was a result of numerous field experiences and in-house researches by the Solar
Laboratory staffs on battery charge controllers. This standard will ensure safety to the end-users and will function satisfactorily when properly installed.
The UP Solar Laboratory proposes that the UPSL be adopted by the Bureau of Product Standards as Philippine National Standard for battery charge controllers. See Appendix 4 for the proposed standard.
2.4 Battery Charge Controllers for Photovoltaic Application - Design Qualification and Test
Requirements.
The object of this standard is to determine the electrical characteristics of the battery charge controller and to show, as far as is possible within reasonable constraints of cost and time, that the controller is capable of withstanding prolonged exposure in its expected environment.
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This standard will ensure that passed battery charge controllers met the minimum requirement for reliability. It will also ensure that the/controller shall continue to function even if some abnormal conditions occurs and when the condition is removed.
The UP Solar Laboratory proposes that the UPSL be adopted by the Bureau of Product Standards for battery charge controllers. See Appendix 5 for the proposed standard.
2.5 Inverters for Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Applications - General, Safety, and Performance
Requirements.
The object of this standard is to determine the electrical characteristics of the stand-alone inverter and to ensure that the minimum safety requirements are satisfied. This standard will ensure safety to the end-users and will function satisfactorily when properly installed.
The UP Solar Laboratory proposes that the UPSL be adopted by the Bureau of Product Standards for battery charge controllers. See Appendix 6 for the proposed standard.
2.6 inverters for Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Applications - Design Qualifications and Test
Requirements.
The object of this standard is to determine the electrical characteristics of the inverter and to show, as far as is possible within reasonable constraints of cost and time, that the inverter is capable of withstanding prolonged exposure in its expected environment.
This standard will ensure that passed inverter met the minimum requirement for reliability.
The UP Solar Laboratory proposes that the UPSL be adopted by the Bureau of Product Standards for battery charge controllers. See Appendix 7 for the proposed standard.
3.0 PV Standards Under Development
3.1 Storage Batteries for Photovoltaic Applications
The standards for storage batteries will cover general, safety, and performance requirements, as well as requirements for design qualifications and type approval. The object of the standard is to ensure the safety of the users and property. The standards will also determine the electrical characteristics, efficiency, and lifetime of storage batteries for PV applications.
3.2 Safety Standards and Recommended Practices for Photovoltaic 'Systems
This standard will cover general safety requirements, as well as, recommended practices for sizing, installation and maintenance of photovoltaic applications.
4.0 PV Standards for Future Development
4.1 "Standards for PV Pumps and Controllers"
The UP Solar Laboratory shall also develop a PV Standard for pumps and pump controllers for photovoltaic applications in the near future. The standard will cover general, safety, and performance requirements, as well as requirements for design qualifications and type approval.
In the future standard for PV pumps and controllers, characterization of the Pump flow (Q),
Dynamic Head (H), and Power (P) curves will be made. Tests will be performed to validate Q-H-
P curves from the manufacturer's data.
Proper installation of PV pumps and controllers will be emphasized for safety and reliability.
Commissioning procedures will also be included in the standard.
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5.0 Lamps and Ballast
Currently, lamps and ballasts standards have been adopted by the Bureau of Product
Standards.
The UP Solar Laboratory proposes that the existing BPS Standards for lamps and ballast be adopted for lamps and ballast installed in photovoltaic applications.
Shown in Table 5 is the existing BPS Standards on lamp and ballast.
6.0 Recommendation
The UP Solar Laboratory has developed a Philippine National Standard for the Philippine PV
Industry. The Laboratory recommends that this set of standards be adopted and approved by the Bureau of Product Standards and a qualified testing center be created. This two recommendations shall ensure the quality and reliability of PV components and systems.
The Testing Center shall test and qualify PV components such as PV modules, controllers, inverters, batteries and appliances prior to installation according to the PNS for PV. The
Center shall also be the focal point for all players involved in the dissemination of PV technology in the Philippines. The Center could also advise government agencies implementing PV projects, as well as give feedback to manufacturers and suppliers to improve quality and efficiency of the various components. The Center shall also continue the development of the PV Standard if the Standard needs revisions and additions.
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A. Visual Inspection
Purpose: To inspect for visual defects which might affect performance or reliability of the module.
Remarks: Defects for ASTM includes delaminations or voids, discoloration,, corrosion, rust, or cracks in any port of the module assembly.
The Proposed Philippine Standard adopts the procedure as described in IEC
1215.
B.
Purpose:
Performance at Standard Test Condition
To determine how the electrical performance of the module varies with load at
STC.
Remarks : Although each standard has its own procedure of measuring the electrical performance of the module, basically all the standards use the same parameters (25 °C, 1000 W/m z , AM 1.5), hence all the standards are expected to produce the same or at the worst, close values.
The Proposed Philippine Standard adopts the measuring procedure of IEC 904-
1.
C. Insulation Test
Purpose: To determine whether or not the module is sufficiently well insulated.
Remarks: The IEC and CEC standards measures the insulation resistance only while the
IEEE standard measures the leakage current only. The ASTM standard measures both the insulation resistance and leakage current.
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In accordance to the APEC agreement, the Proposed Philippine Standard adopts the procedure as described in IEC 1215. For safety purposes, it will also adapt the leakage current insulation integrity test method of ASTM E1462 and ANSI
1262.
D. Measurement of Temperature Coefficients
Purpose: To determine the temperature coefficients of current (x) and voltage (3) from module measurements.
Remarks: Although each standard has its own method in determining the temperature coefficient, the end result is expected to be the same. Thus, the Proposed
Philippine Standard adopts the procedure as described in IEC 1215.
E. Measurement of Nominal Operating Cell Temperature
Purpose: To determine the NOCT of the module. NOCT is defined as the equilibrium mean solar cell junction temperature within an open rack mounted module in the following Standard Reference Environment: tilt angle total irradiance ambient temperature wind speed electrical load
:
:
:
:
: at normal incidence to the direct solar beam at local solar noon.
800 W/m
20 °C
1 m/s
2 nil (open circuit)
Remarks:
F.
Performance at NOCT
Purpose: To determine how the electrical performance of the module varies with load at
NOCT, irradiance of 800 W/m 2 and AM 1.5.
Remarks:
Although each standard has its own method in determining the temperature coefficient, the end result is expected to be the same. Thus, the Proposed
Philippine Standard adopts the procedure as described in IEC 1215.
The IEC and CEC standard sets the module exposure to ultra-violet radiation
(between 280 and 400 ηm) level of 15 kWh/m 2 or equivalent to 325 hours exposure. The JIS standard uses a wavelength range of 300 - 700 ηm and about
500 hours exposure.
In accordance with the APEC agreement, the Proposed Philippine Standard adopts the procedure as described in IEC 1215. For more reliability however, it will also adapt the JIS standard of 500 hours UV exposure. Hence the Proposed Philippine
Standard shall have two total UV irradiation levels, one for 325 hours and another for 500 hours.
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