ASTM E2527-15(2019)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E2527 − 15 (Reapproved 2019) An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Electrical Performance of Concentrator Terrestrial
Photovoltaic Modules and Systems Under Natural Sunlight
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2527; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the elec- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
trical performance of photovoltaic concentrator modules and D6176 Practice for Measuring Surface Atmospheric Tem-
systems under natural sunlight using a normal incidence perature with Electrical Resistance Temperature Sensors
pyrheliometer. E772 Terminology of Solar Energy Conversion
E816 Test Method for Calibration of Pyrheliometers by
1.2 The test method is limited to module assemblies and
Comparison to Reference Pyrheliometers
systems where the geometric concentration ratio specified by
E1036 Test Methods for Electrical Performance of Noncon-
the manufacturer is greater than 5.
centrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays
1.3 This test method applies to concentrators that use
Using Reference Cells
passive cooling where the cell temperature is related to the air
2.2 IEEE Standard:
temperature.
IEEE 929-2000 Recommended Practice for Utility Interface
1.4 Measurements under a variety of conditions are al-
of Photovoltaic (PV) Power Systems
lowed; results are reported under a select set of concentrator
3. Terminology
reporting conditions to facilitate comparison of results.
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this test
1.5 This test method applies only to concentrator terrestrial
method may be found in Terminology E772, and IEEE
modules and systems.
Standard 929.
1.6 This test method assumes that the module or system
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
electrical performance characteristics do not change during the
3.2.1 Concentrator Reporting Conditions, n—the ambient
period of test.
temperature, wind speed, and direct normal solar irradiance to
1.7 The performance rating determined by this test method
which concentrator module or system performance data are
applies only at the period of the test, and implies no past or
corrected.
future performance level.
3.2.2 system, n—a photovoltaic module or array connected
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
to an inverter.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.3 Symbols:The following symbols and units are used in
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
this test method:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
-2
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
E = direct normal irradiance, Wm
-2
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
E = reporting direct normal irradiance of 850 Wm
o
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
P = maximum power, W
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the P = maximum power at concentrator reporting conditions
o
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
(E , T , and V ), W
o o o
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical T = ambient temperature, °C
a
T = reporting ambient temperature of 20°C
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
o
-1
v = wind speed, ms
-1
v = reporting wind speed of 4 ms
o
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar,
Geothermal and OtherAlternative Energy Sources and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2019. Published April 2019. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E2527-15. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E2527-15R19. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2527 − 15 (2019)
4. Summary of Test Method dence angle, the manufacturer’s specifications should be fol-
lowed. Concentrator systems shall be tested as installed.
4.1 Determining the performance of a photovoltaic module
or system under natural sunlight consists of measuring the
6.2 Air Temperature Measurement Equipment—The instru-
maximum power over a range of irradiance and air tempera-
ment or instruments used to measure the temperature of the air
ture.
shall have a resolution of at least 0.1°C, and shall have a total
error of less than 61°C of reading. The instrument sensor
4.2 Amultiplelinearregressionisusedtoratethemaximum
should be between 1 and 10 m upwind from the geometrical
power at standard concentrator reporting conditions, defined
-1 -2
center of the receiver and be mounted at least 2 m above the
as T = 20°C, v =4ms , E = 850 Wm .
o o o
-2
ground. Further details on air temperature measurements can
4.2.1 A direct normal irradiance of 850 Wm was selected
be found in Practice D6176.
fromaresourceassessmentstudy thatshowedwhentheglobal
-2
normal solar irradiance is near the 1000 Wm used in rating
6.3 Irradiance Measurement Equipment—A secondary ref-
flat-plate photovoltaic modules, the direct normal irradiance is
erence pyrheliometer calibrated according to Test Method
-2
about 850 Wm .
E816.
4.3 The actual test data and the performance results are then
6.4 Wind Speed Measurement Equipment—The instrument
reported.
used to measure the wind speed should have an uncertainty of
-1
less than 0.5 ms . The instrument should be between 1 and 10
5. Significance and Use
m away from the nearest edge of the receiver and be mounted
5.1 It is the intent of this test method to provide a recog-
atleast2mabovetheground.Ideally,theinstrumentshouldbe
nized procedure for testing and reporting the electrical perfor-
at the center height of the receiver and located in the direction
mance of a photovoltaic concentrator module or system.
of the prevailing wind. Care should be taken that the instru-
ment readings are not affected by the test fixture or nearby
5.2 If an inverter is used as part of the system, this test
obstacles.
method can provide a dc or ac rating or both. The dc or ac
rating depends on whether the inverter input or output is
6.5 Power Measurement Equipment—Examples of accept-
monitored.
able instrumentation to measure the output power of the
module or system under test include:
5.3 The test results may be used for comparison among a
group of modules or systems from a single source. They also
6.5.1 Current-voltage measurement instrumentation re-
maybeusedtocomparediversedesigns,suchasproductsfrom
quired by Test Methods E1036,
different manufacturers. Repeated measurements of the same
6.5.2 ac or dc current and voltage measurement
module or system may be used for the study of changes in
instrumentation, and
device performance over a long period of time or as a result o
...