ASTM International

Standard Test Methods for Determining Mechanical Integrity of Photovoltaic Modules
 N E1830

Annotation

These test methods cover procedures for determining the ability of photovoltaic modules to withstand the mechanical loads, stresses and deflections used to simulate, on an accelerated basis, high wind conditions, heavy snow and ice accumulation, and non-planar installation effects.

A static load test to 2400 Pa is used to simulate wind loads on both module surfaces

A static load test to 5400 Pa is used to simulate heavy snow and ice accumulation on the module front surface.

A twist test is used to simulate the non-planar mounting of a photovoltaic module by subjecting it to a twist angle of 1.2°.

A cyclic load test of 10 000 cycles duration and peak loading to 1440 Pa is used to simulate dynamic wind or other flexural loading. Such loading might occur during shipment or after installation at a particular location.

These test methods define photovoltaic test specimens and mounting methods, and specify parameters that must be recorded and reported.

Any individual mechanical test may be performed singly, or may be combined into a test sequence with other mechanical or nonmechanical tests, or both. Certain preconditioning test methods such as annealing or light soaking may also be necessary or desirable as a part of such a sequence. However, the determination of such test sequencing and preconditioning is beyond the scope of these test methods.

These test methods do not establish pass or fail levels. The determination of acceptable or unacceptable results is beyond the scope of these test methods.