BS EN 61829:2016

What is BS EN 61829-Photovoltaic (PV) array about? 

BS EN 61829 is an International Standard that specifies procedures for on-site measurement of flat-plate photovoltaic (PV) array characteristics, the accompanying meteorological conditions, and the use of these for translating to standard test conditions (STC) or other selected conditions. 

Measurements of PV array current-voltage (I-V) characteristics under actual on-site conditions and their translation to reference test conditions (RTC) can provide: 

• Data for power rating or capacity testing
• Verification of installed array power performance relative to design specifications
• detection of possible differences between on-site module characteristics and laboratory orfactory measurements 
• Detection of possible performance degradation of modules and arrays with respect to onsiteinitial data 
• Detection of possible module or array failures or poor performance

Who is BS EN 61829-Photovoltaic (PV) array for? 

BS EN 61829 on photovoltaic (PV) array is useful for: 

• PV module manufacturers  
• PV power system manufacturers 
• Photoelectric device manufacturers 
• Solar energy engineering industry 
• Product designers 
• Quality assurance and testing personnel 

Why should you use BS EN 61829-Photovoltaic (PV) array? 

A photovoltaic array is the complete power-generating unit, consisting of any number of PV modules and panels. The performance of PV modules and arrays are generally rated according to their maximum DC power output (watts) under Standard Test Conditions (STC). 

BS EN 61829 provides the procedures on-site measurement of flat-plate photovoltaic (PV) array characteristics, the accompanying meteorological conditions, and the use of these for translating to standard test conditions (STC) or other selected conditions. 

Guidance in BS EN 61829 can help you to determine the performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems over their decades-long lifetime by comparing measured power production with the expected production as estimated from recorded weather conditions and help you to improve the performance and efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems. 

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN 61829:2016 supersedes BS EN 61829:1998 which is withdrawn. BS EN 61829:2016 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 61829:1998. These include: 

• It addresses many outdated procedures 
• It accommodates commonly used commercial I-V curve tracers 
• It provides a more practical approach for addressing field uncertainties 
• It removes and replaces procedures with references to other updated and pertinent 
• standards, including the IEC 60904 series, and IEC 60891