Solar energy system standards

Why should solar energy systems be standardized?

Standardization also provides a common language and framework fostering interoperability, efficiency, safety and overall reliability. IEC TC 82: Solar photovoltaic energy systems, produces international standards enabling systems to convert solar power into electrical energy.

How many IEC standards are there for photovoltaic technology?

There are 169 published IEC standards by TC-82 related to photovoltaic technology, with 69 more in progress. This set of standards is the most broadly used by the scientific community and technicians in research centers and companies.

What are the requirements for regulating PV system design and battery function?

To regulate PV system design and battery function, the following standards are recommended: IEC 62124 for stand-alone PV system design and PV performance evaluation, including battery testing and recovery after periods of low state-of-charge in various climatic conditions, and IEC 62509 for battery charge controllers.

What are the regulatory levels for photovoltaic systems?

At least three regulatory levels for the production and installation of photovoltaic systems can be considered. Additionally, the Life Cycle Assessment methodology is also regulated by standards. In this chapter, the three levels are presented.