Film types AAA 3554, APA 3552, TPA 3570 and FPA 3572 from the Austrian company Isovoltaic AG passed the comprehensive test procedures, which lasted several months, and now bear the TÜVdotCOM test mark of TÜV Rheinland. TÜV Rheinland will be presenting this new test at the Intersolar Europe.
An international team of experts is now developing a harmonized standard, and TÜV Rheinland is contributing to this work. The requirements of TÜV Rheinland regarding reverse-side films for PV modules include thermal loading tests as well as other mechanical and electrical tests. The standard for the safety qualification of PV modules requires a relative temperature index, whereby properties such as mechanical rigidity and electrical insulating capacity are extrapolated on an Arrhenius plot to determine the continuous working temperature.
The resistance of the films to fire is determined via a flame spread index as per ASTM E 162. The effects of UV radiation and weather are determined according to the specifications of ISO 4892-2 for the ageing of plastics in climatic tests lasting 1,500 hours. Here, the films are repeatedly sprayed with water and then dried by a xenon lamp, after which their tear-resistance and insulating capacity are determined. A partial discharge test as per IEC 60664-1 is also performed. This value is decisive, among other things, for the maximum system voltage of a PV module. With this new service, TÜV Rheinland is expanding its comprehensive testing programme for the entire solar industry.
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