BS PD IEC/TS 62804-1:2015 defines procedures to test and evaluate the durability of crystalline
silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules to the effects of short-term high-voltage stress including
potential-induced degradation (PID). Two test methods are defined that do not inherently
produce equivalent results. They are given as screening tests - neither test includes all the
factors existing in the natural environment that can affect the PID rate. The methods describe
how to achieve a constant stress level.The testing in this Technical Specification is designed for crystalline silicon PV modules with
one or two glass surfaces, silicon cells having passivating dielectric layers, for degradation
mechanisms involving mobile ions influencing the electric field over the silicon semiconductor,
or electronically interacting with the silicon semiconductor itself. This Technical Specification
is not intended for evaluating modules with thin-film technologies, tandem, or heterostructure
devices.This Technical Specification describes methods to measure the module design's ability to
withstand degradation from system voltage effects that manifest in the relatively short term.
The testing in this Technical Specification does not purport to examine certain combined
effects that may occur over longer periods of time in modules such as encapsulation failure,
which could lead in turn to rapid moisture ingress and electrochemical corrosion. This
Technical Specification does not incorporate illumination of the module that can affect the rate
of degradation.The test methods are designed to measure PID sensitivity and will give results according to
the stress levels and the module grounding configuration inherent to the respective tests.
Because stress method (a), testing in an environmental chamber, employs a non-condensing
humidity level to serve as a conductive pathway to electrical ground, it frequently applies less
stress toward the centre of the module face and the PID effect is concentrated toward the
module edges as a result. Stress method (b), contacting the surfaces with a grounded
conductive electrode, evaluates cell sensitivity and some effects of the component packaging
materials such as glass and encapsulant resistivity, but does not differentiate the effects of
some construction methods of mitigating PID, for example, the use of rear rail mounts, edge
clips, and insulating frames.The actual durability of modules to system voltage stress will depend on the environmental
conditions under which they are operated. These tests are intended to assess PV module
sensitivity to PID irrespective of actual stresses under operation in different climates and
systems.Cross References:IEC 60068-2-78:2012IEC 60410IEC 61215:2005IEC 61730-2:2004ISO/IEC 17025All current amendments available at time of purchase are included with the purchase of this document.