What is BS EN IEC 60904‑1 about?

BS EN IEC 60904-1 describes procedures for the measurement of current-voltage characteristics (I-V curves) of photovoltaic (PV) devices in natural or simulated sunlight. These procedures are applicable to a single PV solar cell, a sub-assembly of PV solar cells, or a PV module. They are applicable to single-junction mono-facial PV devices.

Additionally, BS EN IEC 60904‑1 provides informative annexes are given, concerning area measurement of PV devices (Annex A), PV devices with capacitance (Annex B), measurement of dark current-voltage characteristics (dark I-V curves) (Annex C) and effects of spatial non-uniformity of irradiance.

Note 1: BS EN IEC 60904‑1 is applicable to non-concentrating PV devices for use in terrestrial environments, with reference to the global reference spectral irradiance defined in IEC 60904-3.

Note 2: BS EN IEC 60904‑1 may also be applicable to PV devices for use under concentrated irradiation if the application uses direct sunlight and reference is instead made to the direct reference spectral irradiance.

Who is BS EN IEC 60904‑1 for?

BS EN IEC 60904‑1 on photovoltaic current-voltage characteristics is useful for:

Manufacturers and suppliers of photovoltaic (PV) devices
Dealers and importers of photovoltaic (PV) devices
Testing houses/ service providers of photovoltaic (PV) devices
Entities dealing with photovoltaic (PV) devices

Why should you use BS EN IEC 60904‑1?

BS EN IEC 60904‑1 lays down basic requirements for the measurement of I-V curves of PV devices, defining procedures for different measuring techniques that are in use currently, and showing practices for minimizing measurement uncertainty.

BS EN IEC 60904‑1 is applicable for the measurement of I-V curves in general. I-V measurements can have various purposes, such as calibration of a PV device under test against a reference device i.e., traceable measurement with stated uncertainty, usually performed at standard test conditions.

BS EN IEC 60904‑1 also gives the performance measurement under various conditions, like for device temperature and irradiance, required to match global standards for determination of temperature coefficients or internal series resistance, by the power rating of PV devices. It can be also used for the determination of output’s linear dependence and linearity with respect to a particular test parameter.

Users of BS EN IEC 60904‑1 can benefit in seeking guidance on I-V measurements as, I-V measurements are also important in industrial environments such as PV module production facilities, and for testing in the PV modules production field.

What’s changed since the last update?

BS EN IEC 60904‑1:2020 supersedes BS EN 60904‑1:2006, which is withdrawn.

BS EN IEC 60904‑1:2020 includes the following changes:

Updated scope to include all conditions
Added terms and definitions
Reorganised document to avoid unnecessary duplication
Added data analysis clause
Added informative annexes (area measurement, PV devices with capacitance, dark I-V curves, and effect of spatial non-uniformity of irradiance

BS EN IEC 60904-1:2020

Photovoltaic devices - Measurement of photovoltaic current-voltage characteristics

Current

Published:

30 Nov 2020