Advanced Solar Photovoltaic Module Testing Facility at ERDA

31 Dec 2024

With over a decade of experience, ERDA’s Solar Photovoltaic Module Evaluation Laboratory is a trusted provider of solar photovoltaic module testing services across the nation. Accredited by NABL, recognized by BIS, and approved by MNRE (Government of India), our laboratory upholds the highest standards of quality and reliability.

Key Services for Solar Photovoltaic Modules

Testing and Evaluation:

Our state-of-the-art facilities offer comprehensive testing and evaluation of solar photovoltaic modules. We ensure compliance with:

• Indian standards for mandatory BIS certification as per the Quality Control Order issued by MNRE (Government of India).

• International standards and guidelines, providing robust and reliable testing solutions.

Major Infrastructure for evaluation of solar photovoltaic modules:

• Solar Sun Simulator, Class AAA to carry out Maximum power determination, Performance at STC condition & Performance at low irradiation

• Climatic chamber & Humidity chamber to carry out Thermal cycling test, Humidity freeze cycle test & Damp heat test.

• EL (Electro luminance) tester to find out micro-cracks in PV modules

• NMOT & Outdoor exposure test set up to determine how the electrical performance of the module varies with load at NMOT.

• Wet leakage current tester to evaluate the insulation of the module under wet operating conditions.

• Mechanical load tester to determine the ability of the module to withstand a minimum static load.

• Hail tester to verify that the module is capable of withstanding the impact of hail.

• Bypass diode tester to assess the adequacy of the thermal design and relative long-term reliability of the bypass diode.

• Module breakage tester to provide confidence that risk of physical injuries can be minimized if the PV module is broken in its specified installation

• UV Preconditioning test chamber to precondition the module with ultra-violet (UV) radiation.

• Hot-spot endurance test chamber to determine the ability of the module to withstand hotspot heating effects.

Upcoming safety test facilities for solar PV modules

To comply with the revised requirements outlined in the Quality Control Order by The Gazette of India, issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), new state-of-theart testing facilities are being established. These facilities will ensure comprehensive safety testing of solar PV modules in accordance with IS/IEC 61730-1 & 2 standards.

1. Fire test facility

2. Ignitability test facility

3. Accessibility test attachment facility

4. Cut susceptibility test facility

5. Continuity test for equipotential bonding facility

6. Reverse current overload test facility

7. Screw connection test facility

8. Sharp edge test facility

9. Peel test facility

10. Lap shear strength test facility

11. Materials creep test facility

12. New sun simulator for PERC, Topcon, HJT & Bifacial type PV Modules testing facility

13. Insulation thickness test facility