Certificate No. Z2 0004938 0001 Rev.00
7/26/2018
TÜV SÜD’s
experts have developed a new comprehensive test and certification program to
certify solar kits and PV power generating units. This new scheme will allow solar
kit manufacturers to verify their products, and comply with international standards.
The TÜV SÜD certification scheme
represents a milestone in the solar industry, since it is specifically designed
and aimed to address a variety of quality as well as safety related issues
associated to PV sub-assemblies. This will signify enhance safety and
reliability of solar kits and PV power generating units in their actual
application. Behind the development of this certification is TÜV SÜD’s Senior
Product Specialists Alexander Krenz and Zhao Kai, as well as a test program in
close cooperation with Symtech Solar’s co-founders, Geof Moser and Juan
Castanon.
As for the main tests, they cover the
entire functionality and compatibility of the systems with their key
components, which are: PV modules, inverters, mounting systems, DC Disconnects,
PV wiring, connectors and safety labeling. As a standard, each sub-component
has been individually certified by TUV
SÜD or equivalent certification agency prior to
its inclusion in the new kit certification. Furthermore, each system has been
verified for design and technical documentation, and includes production
monitoring at the factory level. Production monitoring includes annual on-site
inspections.
So how will this certification impact the
solar industry exactly? Well, to start with, enhanced quality standards for
solar kits will increase the protection of installers and system operators from
potential risks that may occur from non-compliant design and solar system
component selection. It will also ensure better functionality and performance
for the life of the PV system for years to come.
This new milestone of establishing a
certification for PV system providers will initiate a trend towards
continuously improving the safety criteria for PV system design and electrical
installations throughout the industry. The current certification scheme will
primarily follow the IEC 60364-1, IEC 60364-7-712 and will summarize all solar
system certified components under IEC 61215, IEC 61730, IEC 62109-1, IEC
62109-2, PPP59029A, IEC 62446-1, EN 60947-3, EN 50618, EN 50521and other relevant standards.
Standards Include:
IEC 60364-1 provides
the rules for the design, erection, and verification of electrical
installations conducting to provide safety of persons, livestock and property
against dangers and damage, which may arise in the reasonable use of electrical
installations, and to provide for the proper functioning of those
installations. IEC 60364-1 applies to
the design, erection and verification of electrical installations such as those
of residential, commercial, public, and industrial premises (other inclusions
apply) up to 1000VAC and 1500VDC.
IEC 60364-7-712 is part of IEC 60364
applies to the electrical installation of PV systems intended to supply all or
part of an installation. The equipment of a PV installation, like any other
item of equipment, is dealt with only so far as its selection and application
in the installation is concerned. The object of this document is to address the
design safety requirements arising from the particular characteristics of PV installations.
DC systems and PV arrays in particular, pose some hazards in addition to those
derived from conventional AC power installations, including the ability to
produce and sustain electrical arcs with currents that are not greater than
normal operating currents.
IEC 61215
covers the parameters which are responsible for the ageing of PV modules
including UV, temperature, humidity, and mechanical loads.
IEC 61730
safety qualifications covers multiple parts including the design and construction
requirements for the PV modules and application & safety class
qualifications.
IEC 62109-1 and IEC
62109-2 covers the particular safety requirements
relevant to DC. to AC. inverter products as well as products that have or
perform inverter functions in addition to other functions, where the inverter
is intended for use in photovoltaic power systems.
PPP 59029A
testing covers mounting systems stability for various environmental
conditions (heat, cold, dry, wet, etc.) and testing for corrosion resistance
and long-term durability performance (endurance testing with outdoor field
conditions, temperature change examination and moisture-heat examination).
IEC 62446-1
defines the information and documentation required to be handed over to a
customer following the installation of a grid connected PV system. It also
describes the commissioning tests, inspection criteria and documentation
expected to verify the safe installation and correct operation of the system.
It is for use by system designers and installers of grid connected solar PV
systems as a template to provide effective documentation to a customer.
EN 60947-3 applies
to switches, disconnects and fuse-combination units to be used in distribution
circuits of which the rated voltage does not exceed 1000VAC or 1500VDC.
EN 50618 is a European
Standard that applies to low smoke halogen-free, flexible, single-core power
cables with cross-linked insulation and sheath. In particular for use at the
direct current DC side of photovoltaic systems, with a nominal DC voltage of 1500VDC
between conductors and between conductor and earth. Such cables are designed to
be used with Class II equipment.
EN 50521 is applicable
to Class A connectors (EN 61730-1) for photovoltaic systems with rated voltages
up to 1500 VDC and rated currents up to 125 A per contact.
Symtech Solar Group is an American
renewable energy company that has pioneered the upstream PV system integration
process from its factory platform in China. Headquartered in Shanghai, China,
Symtech Solar offers more than seven different solar energy product lines designed
for the residential, commercial and rural markets, as well as providing
customized, flexible PV solutions. The
new cortication scheme will cover the Apollo and Atlas PV kits with more than
850 configurations and power outputs.
More information can be found at www.symtechsolar.com.
