Standard Test Method for Determining Resistance of Photovoltaic Modules to Hail by Impact with Propelled Ice Balls

SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides a procedure for determining the ability of photovoltaic modules to withstand impact forces of falling hail. Propelled ice balls are used to simulate falling hailstones.
1.2 This test method defines test specimens and methods for mounting specimens, specifies impact locations on each test specimen, provides an equation for determining the velocity of any size ice ball, provides a method for impacting the test specimens with ice balls, provides a method for determining changes in electrical performance, and specifies parameters that must be recorded and reported.
1.3 This test method does not establish pass or fail levels. The determination of acceptable or unacceptable levels of ice ball impact resistance is beyond the scope of this test method.
1.4 The size of the ice ball to be used in conducting this test is not specified. This test method can be used with various sizes of ice balls.
1.5 This test method may be applied to concentrator and nonconcentrator modules.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, refer to , Section , Note 0, and Note 0.

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Publication Date
31-Mar-2005
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ASTM E1038-05 - Standard Test Method for Determining Resistance of Photovoltaic Modules to Hail by Impact with Propelled Ice Balls
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:E1038–05
Standard Test Method for
Determining Resistance of Photovoltaic Modules to Hail by
1
Impact with Propelled Ice Balls
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1038; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E822 Practice for Determining Resistance of Solar Collec-
tor Covers to Hail by Impact With Propelled Ice Balls
1.1 This test method provides a procedure for determining
E1036 TestMethodsforElectricalPerformanceofNoncon-
the ability of photovoltaic modules to withstand impact forces
centrator Terrestrial Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays
of falling hail. Propelled ice balls are used to simulate falling
Using Reference Cells
hailstones.
E1328 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic Solar Energy
1.2 Thistestmethoddefinestestspecimensandmethodsfor
Conversion
mounting specimens, specifies impact locations on each test
E1462 Test Methods for Insulation Integrity and Ground
specimen,providesanequationfordeterminingthevelocityof
Path Continuity of Photovoltaic Modules
any size ice ball, provides a method for impacting the test
specimens with ice balls, provides a method for determining
3. Terminology
changes in electrical performance, and specifies parameters
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
that must be recorded and reported.
method, see Terminology E772 and Terminology E1328.
1.3 This test method does not establish pass or fail levels.
3.2 Symbols—The following symbols are used in this test
The determination of acceptable or unacceptable levels of ice
method.
ball impact resistance is beyond the scope of this test method.
m =ice ball mass, g,
1.4 Thesizeoftheiceballtobeusedinconductingthistest
d =ice ball diameter, mm, and
isnotspecified.Thistestmethodcanbeusedwithvarioussizes
r =ice ball radius, mm.
of ice balls.
3.2.1 Velocity:
1.5 This test method may be applied to concentrator and
−1
V =ice ball terminal, m s ,
t
nonconcentrator modules.
−1
V =wind, m s , and
w
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
−1
V =ice ball resultant, m s .
r
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Significance and Use
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.1 In many geographic areas, there is concern about the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
effect of falling hail upon photovoltaic modules. This test
precautionary statements, refer to 5.1, Section 6, Note 8, and
method may be used to determine the ability of photovoltaic
Note 9.
modules to withstand the impact forces of hailstones. In this
test method, the ability of a photovoltaic module to withstand
2. Referenced Documents
2 hail impact is related to its tested ability to withstand impact
2.1 ASTM Standards:
from ice balls. The effects of impact may be either physical or
E772 Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
electrical degradation of the module.
4.2 This test method describes a standard procedure for
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar,
mounting the test specimen, conducting the impact test, and
Geothermal,andOtherAlternativeEnergySourcesandisthedirectresponsibilityof
reporting the effects.
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Systems.
4.2.1 The procedures for mounting the test specimen are
Current edition approved April 1, 2005. Published May 2005. Originally
approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as E1038–98(2004). provided to assure that modules are tested in a configuration
DOI: 10.1520/E1038-05.
that relates to their use in a photovoltaic array.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contactASTM Customer Service at service @astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standardsvolume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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E1038–05
4.2.2 Six or more impact locations are chosen to represent 4.3.3 Electrical changes may vary from no effect to no
vulnerable sites on modules and general locations are listed in output. All effects of the impacts must be described in the
report so that an estimate of their significance can be made.
Table 1. Only a single impact is specified at each of the impact
locations. 4.4 This test method does not specify the size or velocity of
ice balls or maximum number of impacts to be used in making
4.2.3 Resultant
...

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