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ILNAS-EN IEC 61215-2:2021

Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules -

Design qualification and type approval
- Part 2: Test procedures

Terrestrische Photovoltaik(PV)-Module -
Bauarteignung und Bauartzulassung -
Teil 2: Prüfverfahren

Modules photovoltaïques (PV) pour

applications terrestres - Qualification de
la conception et homologation - Partie 2:
Procédures d'essai

04/2021
 ILNAS-EN IEC 61215-2:2021

National Foreword

This European Standard EN IEC 61215-2:2021 was adopted as Luxembourgish

Standard ILNAS-EN IEC 61215-2:2021.

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participate for FREE in the development of Luxembourgish (ILNAS), European (CEN,
CENELEC) and International (ISO, IEC) standards:

- Participate in the design of standards

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THIS PUBLICATION IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

Nothing from this publication may be reproduced or utilized in
any form or by any mean - electronic, mechanical, photocopying
or any other data carries without prior permission!
 ILNAS-EN IEC 61215-2:2021
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 61215-2
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM April 2021

ICS 27.160 Supersedes EN 61215-2:2017 and all of its amendments

and corrigenda (if any)

English Version

Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and

type approval - Part 2: Test procedures
(IEC 61215-2:2021)
ILNAS-EN IEC 61215-2:2021 - Preview only Copy via ILNAS e-Shop

Modules photovoltaïques (PV) pour applications terrestres - Terrestrische Photovoltaik(PV)-Module - Bauarteignung und
Qualification de la conception et homologation - Partie 2: Bauartzulassung - Teil 2: Prüfverfahren
Procédures d'essai (IEC 61215-2:2021)
(IEC 61215-2:2021)

This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2021-03-31. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization

Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels

© 2021 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.

Ref. No. EN IEC 61215-2:2021 E

 EN IEC 61215-2:2021 (E) ILNAS-EN IEC 61215-2:2021

European foreword

The text of document 82/1829/FDIS, future edition 2 of IEC 61215-2, prepared by IEC/TC 82 "Solar
photovoltaic energy systems" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by
CENELEC as EN IEC 61215-2:2021.

The following dates are fixed:

• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2021-12-31
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2024-03-31
document have to be withdrawn

This document supersedes EN 61215-2:2017 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if any).
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Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

Endorsement notice

The text of the International Standard IEC 61215-2:2021 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.

In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standards
indicated:

IEC 62506 NOTE Harmonized as EN 62506

IEC 62938:2020 NOTE Harmonized as EN IEC 62938:2020 (not modified)

IEC 62941 NOTE Harmonized as EN IEC 62941

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 ILNAS-EN IEC 61215-2:2021 EN IEC 61215-2:2021 (E)

Annex ZA
(normative)

Normative references to international publications

with their corresponding European publications

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
NOTE 1 Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the
relevant EN/HD applies.
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NOTE 2 Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available
here: www.cenelec.eu.

Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 60068-1 - Environmental testing - Part 1: General EN 60068-1 -
and guidance
IEC 60068-2-21 - Environmental testing - Part 2-21: Tests - EN 60068-2-21 -
Test U: Robustness of terminations and
integral mounting devices
IEC 60068-2-78 2012 Environmental testing - Part 2-78: Tests - EN 60068-2-78 2013
Test Cab: Damp heat, steady state
IEC 60891 - Photovoltaic devices - Procedures for EN 60891 -
temperature and irradiance corrections to
measured I-V characteristics
IEC 60904-1 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 1: EN IEC 60904-1 -
Measurement of photovoltaic current-
voltage characteristics
IEC 60904-1-1 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 1-1: EN 60904-1-1 -
Measurement of current-voltage
characteristics of multi-junction
photovoltaic (PV) devices
IEC/TS 60904-1-2 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 1-2: - -
Measurement of current-voltage
characteristics of bifacial photovoltaic (PV)
devices
IEC 60904-2 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 2: EN 60904-2 -
Requirements for photovoltaic reference
devices
IEC 60904-3 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 3: EN IEC 60904-3 -
Measurement principles for terrestrial
photovoltaic (PV) solar devices with
reference spectral irradiance data
IEC 60904-7 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 7: Computation EN IEC 60904-7 -
of the spectral mismatch correction for
measurements of photovoltaic devices

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 EN IEC 61215-2:2021 (E) ILNAS-EN IEC 61215-2:2021

Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 60904-8 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 8: EN 60904-8 -
Measurement of spectral responsivity of a
photovoltaic (PV) device
IEC 60904-9 2020 Photovoltaic devices - Part 9: Classification EN IEC 60904-9 2020
of solar simulator characteristics
IEC 60904-10 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 10: Methods of EN IEC 60904-10 -
linear dependence and linearity
measurements
IEC/TR 60904-14 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 14: Guidelines - -
for production line measurements of single-
junction PV module maximum power
output and reporting at standard test
conditions
IEC 61140 - Protection against electric shock - EN 61140 -
ILNAS-EN IEC 61215-2:2021 - Preview only Copy via ILNAS e-Shop

Common aspects for installation and

equipment
IEC 61215-1 2021 Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - EN IEC 61215-1 2021
Design qualification and type approval -
Part 1: Test requirements
IEC 61215-1-1 - Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - EN IEC 61215-1-1 -
Design qualification and type approval -
Part 1-1: Special requirements for testing
of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV)
modules
IEC 61730-1 2016 Photovoltaic (PV) module safety EN IEC 61730-1 2018
qualification - Part 1: Requirements for
construction
- - /AC:2018-06
IEC 61730-2 - Photovoltaic (PV) module safety EN IEC 61730-2 -
qualification - Part 2: Requirements for
testing
IEC/TS 61836 - Solar photovoltaic energy systems - - -
Terms, definitions and symbols
IEC/TS 62782 - Photovoltaic (PV) modules - Cyclic - -
(dynamic) mechanical load testing
IEC 62790 - Junction boxes for photovoltaic modules - EN 62790 -
Safety requirements and tests
IEC/TS 62804-1 2015 Photovoltaic (PV) modules - Test methods - -
for the detection of potential-induced
degradation - Part 1: Crystalline silicon
IEC TS 63163 —1 Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules for
consumer products – Design qualification
and type approval

1 Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: ADTS.

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 ILNAS-EN IEC 61215-2:2021

IEC 61215-2
®
Edition 2.0 2021-02

INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
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colour
inside

Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval –

Part 2: Test procedures

Modules photovoltaïques (PV) pour applications terrestres – Qualification de la

conception et homologation –
Partie 2: Procédures d'essai
IEC 61215-2:2021-02(en-fr)
 ILNAS-EN IEC 61215-2:2021
–2– IEC 61215-2:2021 © IEC 2021

CONTENTS

FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................... 6
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 8
1 Scope .............................................................................................................................. 9
2 Normative references ...................................................................................................... 9
3 Terms and definitions .................................................................................................... 11
4 Test procedures ............................................................................................................ 12
4.1 Visual inspection (MQT 01) ................................................................................... 12
4.1.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 12
4.1.2 Procedure ...................................................................................................... 12
4.1.3 Requirements ................................................................................................ 12
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4.2 Maximum power determination (MQT 02) .............................................................. 12

4.2.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 12
4.2.2 Apparatus ...................................................................................................... 12
4.2.3 Procedure ...................................................................................................... 13
4.3 Insulation test (MQT 03) ....................................................................................... 13
4.3.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 13
4.3.2 Apparatus ...................................................................................................... 14
4.3.3 Test conditions .............................................................................................. 14
4.3.4 Procedure ...................................................................................................... 14
4.3.5 Test requirements .......................................................................................... 15
4.4 Measurement of temperature coefficients (MQT 04) .............................................. 15
4.5 Placeholder section, formerly NMOT ..................................................................... 15
4.6 Performance at STC (MQT 06.1) ........................................................................... 15
4.6.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 15
4.6.2 Apparatus ...................................................................................................... 15
4.6.3 Procedure for measuring at STC (MQT 06.1) ................................................. 16
4.7 Performance at low irradiance (MQT 07) ............................................................... 16
4.7.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 16
4.7.2 Apparatus ...................................................................................................... 16
4.7.3 Procedure ...................................................................................................... 17
4.8 Outdoor exposure test (MQT 08) ........................................................................... 17
4.8.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 17
4.8.2 Apparatus ...................................................................................................... 17
4.8.3 Procedure ...................................................................................................... 17
4.8.4 Final measurements ...................................................................................... 18
4.8.5 Requirements ................................................................................................ 18
4.9 Hot-spot endurance test (MQT 09) ........................................................................ 18
4.9.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 18
4.9.2 Hot-spot effect ............................................................................................... 18
4.9.3 Classification of cell interconnection .............................................................. 19
4.9.4 Apparatus ...................................................................................................... 20
4.9.5 Procedure ...................................................................................................... 21
4.9.6 Final measurements ...................................................................................... 28
4.9.7 Requirements ................................................................................................ 28
4.10 UV preconditioning test (MQT 10) ......................................................................... 28
4.10.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 28
 ILNAS-EN IEC 61215-2:2021
IEC 61215-2:2021 © IEC 2021 –3–

4.10.2 Apparatus ...................................................................................................... 28

4.10.3 Procedure ...................................................................................................... 29
4.10.4 Final measurements ...................................................................................... 29
4.10.5 Requirements ................................................................................................ 29
4.11 Thermal cycling test (MQT 11) .............................................................................. 29
4.11.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 29
4.11.2 Apparatus ...................................................................................................... 29
4.11.3 Procedure ...................................................................................................... 30
4.11.4 Final measurements ...................................................................................... 31
4.11.5 Requirements ................................................................................................ 31
4.12 Humidity-freeze test (MQT 12) .............................................................................. 32
4.12.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 32
4.12.2 Apparatus ...................................................................................................... 32
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4.12.3 Procedure ...................................................................................................... 32

4.12.4 Final measurements ...................................................................................... 32
4.12.5 Requirements ................................................................................................ 32
4.13 Damp heat test (MQT 13) ...................................................................................... 33
4.13.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 33
4.13.2 Apparatus ...................................................................................................... 33
4.13.3 Procedure ...................................................................................................... 33
4.13.4 Final measurements ...................................................................................... 34
4.13.5 Requirements ................................................................................................ 34
4.14 Robustness of terminations (MQT 14) ................................................................... 34
4.14.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 34
4.14.2 Retention of junction box on mounting surface (MQT 14.1) ............................ 34
4.14.3 Test of cord anchorage (MQT 14.2) ............................................................... 34
4.15 Wet leakage current test (MQT 15) ....................................................................... 35
4.15.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 35
4.15.2 Apparatus ...................................................................................................... 35
4.15.3 Procedure ...................................................................................................... 35
4.15.4 Requirements ................................................................................................ 35
4.16 Static mechanical load test (MQT 16) .................................................................... 36
4.16.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 36
4.16.2 Apparatus ...................................................................................................... 36
4.16.3 Procedure ...................................................................................................... 37
4.16.4 Final measurements ...................................................................................... 37
4.16.5 Requirements ................................................................................................ 37
4.17 Hail test (MQT 17) ................................................................................................ 37
4.17.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 37
4.17.2 Apparatus ...................................................................................................... 37
4.17.3 Procedure ...................................................................................................... 38
4.17.4 Final measurements ...................................................................................... 39
4.17.5 Requirements ................................................................................................ 39
4.18 Bypass diode testing (MQT 18) ............................................................................. 40
4.18.1 Bypass diode thermal test (MQT 18.1) ........................................................... 40
4.18.2 Bypass diode functionality test (MQT 18.2) .................................................... 43
4.19 Stabilization (MQT 19) .......................................................................................... 44
4.19.1 General ......................................................................................................... 44
4.19.2 Criterion definition for stabilization ................................................................. 44
 ILNAS-EN IEC 61215-2:2021
–4– IEC 61215-2:2021 © IEC 2021

4.19.3 Light induced stabilization procedures ........................................................... 45

4.19.4 Other stabilization procedures ....................................................................... 46
4.19.5 Initial stabilization (MQT 19.1) ....................................................................... 46
4.19.6 Final stabilization (MQT 19.2) ........................................................................ 46
4.19.7 Stress-specific stabilization – BO LID (MQT 19.3).......................................... 47
4.20 Cyclic (dynamic) mechanical load test (MQT 20) ................................................... 47
4.20.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 47
4.20.2 Procedure ...................................................................................................... 47
4.20.3 Final measurements ...................................................................................... 47
4.20.4 Requirements ................................................................................................ 48
4.21 Potential induced degradation test (MQT 21) ........................................................ 48
4.21.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 48
4.21.2 Samples ........................................................................................................ 48
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4.21.3 Apparatus ...................................................................................................... 48

4.21.4 Procedure ...................................................................................................... 48
4.21.5 Final measurements ...................................................................................... 48
4.21.6 Requirements ................................................................................................ 49
4.22 Bending test (MQT 22) .......................................................................................... 49
4.22.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................... 49
4.22.2 Apparatus ...................................................................................................... 49
4.22.3 Procedure ...................................................................................................... 49
4.22.4 Final measurements ...................................................................................... 49
4.22.5 Requirements ................................................................................................ 49
Annex A (informative) Recommended setup for managing weights during mechanical
loading (MQT 16) .................................................................................................................. 50
Bibliography .......................................................................................................................... 54

Figure 1 – Case S, series connection with optional bypass diode .......................................... 19

Figure 2 – Case PS, parallel-series connection with optional bypass diode ........................... 19
Figure 3 – Case SP, series-parallel connection with optional bypass diode ........................... 20
Figure 4 – Module I-V characteristics with different cells totally shadowed ............................ 21
Figure 5 – Module I-V characteristics with the test cell shadowed at different levels ............. 23
Figure 6 – Hot-spot effect in a MLI thin-film module with serially connected cells .................. 24
Figure 7 – Thermal cycling test – Temperature and applied current profile ............................ 30
Figure 8 – Proper attachment of 5 N weight to junction box for module utilizing a)
electrical termination leads, b) or wire for attachment, and c) only one junction box .............. 31
Figure 9 – Humidity-freeze cycle – Temperature and humidity profile .................................... 33
Figure 10 – Hail-test equipment ............................................................................................ 38
Figure 11 – Hail test impact locations: top for wafer/cell based technologies, bottom for
monolithic processed thin film technologies .......................................................................... 40
Figure 12 – Bypass diode thermal test .................................................................................. 42
Figure A.1 – 3D view (at left of figure), end view (at top right), and side view (at bottom
right) of gantry crane over mounting jig and loading jig ......................................................... 50
Figure A.2 – 3D close up views of mounting jig (right) and loading jig (left) ........................... 51
Figure A.3 – 2D view of mounting jig and loading jig ............................................................. 52
Figure A.4 – 3D view of loading jig ........................................................................................ 52
Figure A.5 – Close-up view of loading jig .............................................................................. 53
 ILNAS-EN IEC 61215-2:2021
IEC 61215-2:2021 © IEC 2021 –5–

Table 1 – Voltage stress levels ............................................................................................. 14

Table 2 – Ice-ball masses and test velocities ........................................................................ 38
Table 3 – Impact locations .................................................................................................... 39
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