CEN/TC 312/WG 1 - Solar collectors

This document is applicable to all types of fluid heating solar collectors. This document specifies performance requirements for fluid heating solar collectors with respect to durability, reliability, safety and thermal performance.
This document deals with the solar collector and not with assemblies. This document is not applicable to those devices in which a thermal storage unit is an integral part to such an extent that the collection process cannot be separated from the storage process for making the collector thermal performance measurements.

ISO 9806:2017 specifies test methods for assessing the durability, reliability, safety and thermal performance of fluid heating solar collectors. The test methods are applicable for laboratory testing and for in situ testing.
ISO 9806:2017 is applicable to all types of fluid heating solar collectors, air heating solar collectors, hybrid solar collectors co-generating heat and electric power, as well as to solar collectors using external power sources for normal operation and/or safety purposes. It does not cover electrical safety aspects or other specific properties directly related to electric power generation.
ISO 9806:2017 is not applicable to those devices in which a thermal storage unit is an integral part to such an extent that the collection process cannot be separated from the storage process for making the collector thermal performance measurements.

ISO 22975-1:2016 specifies definitions and test methods for materials, durability and performance of evacuated tubes.
ISO 22975-1:2016 is applicable to all types of evacuated tubes.

ISO 22975-2:2016 specifies definitions and test methods for durability and performance of heat-pipes for solar thermal application.
ISO 22975-2:2016 is applicable to heat-pipes for use with evacuated tubes, including glass-metal sealed evacuated tubes and double-glass evacuated tubes, as well as with flat plate collectors.
ISO 22975-2:2016 provides test methods for determining durability of the heat-pipe, including high temperature resistance and freeze resistance.
ISO 22975-2:2016 also provides test methods for measuring performance of the heat-pipe, including starting temperature, temperature uniformity and heat transfer power of the heat-pipe.
ISO 22975-2:2016 is only applicable to gravity heat-pipes.

ISO 22975-3:2014 is applicable to the determination of the long term behaviour and service life of selective solar absorbers for use in vented flat plate solar collectors working under conditions corresponding to that in a typical solar domestic hot water system or combisystem.
ISO 22975-3:2014 specifies a failure criterion of a solar absorber based on changes in optical performance of the absorber. The optical properties of interest are solar absorptance and thermal emittance.
ISO 22975-3:2014 specifies durability testing procedures focused on resistance to high temperatures and condensation of water on the absorber surface as well as high humidity in the presence of sulfur dioxide.

This European Standard specifies performance requirements for fluid heating collectors with respect to mechanical resistance to climatic loads, fire safety, weather tightness, release of dangerous substances, electrical safety, operating pressure, sound level, thermal output and collector efficiency. Fluids included are anti-freeze fluids, thermo oil, air and water which are not intended for human consumption. The intended use of the solar collector is to heat up the working fluid. This European Standard also includes provisions for evaluation of conformity to these requirements.
This European Standard covers only the solar collector consisting of its components: i.e. absorber, frame, insulation and glazing; It does not cover the fluid.
It is applicable to glazed and unglazed solar collectors, flat plate solar collectors, evacuated tubular solar collectors, concentrating solar collectors, tracking solar collectors and thermal-electrical hybrid solar collectors (so called PVT solar collectors).
It is not applicable to those solar collectors, in which the thermal storage unit is an integral part of the solar collector to such an extent, that the heat production process cannot be separated from the storage process for the purpose of making measurements of these two processes.

An error within the scope related to concentrating and tracking collectors was discovered in EN 12975-1:2006, that contradicts EN 12975-2:2006. In order to remove the error CEN/TC 312 resolves to create an erratum to EN 12975-1:2006 as follows: The last sentence of paragraph two of the scope reading "It is not applicable to tracking concentrating collectors" shall be deleted. A new paragraph shall be added after the second paragraph of the scope, reading "It is basically applicable to concentrating collectors; thermal performance testing as given in EN 12975-2, clause 6.3. (quasi dynamic testing) is also applicable to most concentrating collector designs, from stationary non-imaging concentrators as CPCs to high concentrating tracking designs.

This European Standard specifies requirements on durability (including mechanical strength), reliability and safety for liquid heating solar collectors. It also includes provisions for evaluation of conformity to these requirements.
It is not applicable to those collectors in which the thermal storage unit is an integral part of the collector to such an extent, that the collection process cannot be separated from the storage process for the purpose of making measurements of these two processes. It is basically applicable to concentrating collectors; thermal performance testing as given in EN 12975-2:2006, subclause 6.3. (quasi dynamic testing) is also applicable to most concentrating collector designs, from stationary non-imaging concentrators as CPCs to high concentrating tracking designs.
Collectors that are custom-built (built in, roof integrated collectors that do not comprise factory made modules and are assembled directly on the place of installation) cannot be tested in their actual form for durability, reliability and thermal performance according to this standard. Instead, a module with the same structure as the ready collector is tested. The module gross area in the case of custom built collectors should be at least 2 m2. The test is valid only for larger collectors, than the tested module.
For collectors the national and European Guidelines for Structural Planning and overhead glazing are not valid. Therefore this standard should be applied for the design of the static of the collector.

ISO 9806:2013 specifies test methods for assessing the durability, reliability and safety for fluid heating collectors.
It also includes test methods for the thermal performance characterization of fluid heating collectors, namely steady-state and quasi-dynamic thermal performance of glazed and unglazed liquid heating solar collectors and steady-state thermal performance of glazed and unglazed air heating solar collectors (open to ambient as well as closed loop).
It is also applicable to hybrid collectors generating heat and electric power. However it does not cover electrical safety or other specific properties related to electric power generation.
ISO 9806:2013 is also applicable to collectors using external power sources for normal operation and/or safety purposes.
ISO 9806:2013 is not applicable to those collectors in which the thermal storage unit is an integral part of the collector to such an extent that the collection process cannot be separated from the storage process for the purpose of making measurements of these two processes.