IEC 60904-3 Photovoltaic Devices - Part 3: Measurement Principles for Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Devices with Reference Spectral Irradiance Data

The IEC 60904-3 standard describes the basic measurement principles for determining the electrical output of PV devices. The guidelines given in this document are designed to relate the performance rating of PV devices to a common reference terrestrial solar spectral radiation distribution.

The reference terrestrial solar spectral radiation distribution for classifying solar simulators according to the spectral performance requirements in IEC 60904-9 is given in this document. The principles contained in this standard cover testing in both natural and simulated sunlight.

This part of IEC 60904 applies to the following photovoltaic devices for terrestrial applications:

• Solar cells with or without protective coating;
• Subgroups of solar cells;
• modules;
• systems.

Photovoltaic conversion is spectrally selective in nature of the semiconductor materials used in PV solar cells and modules. A reference standard solar spectral distribution is required to compare the relative performance of different PV devices and materials. This document includes such a reference solar spectral radiation distribution.

This document also explains the basic measurement principles for determining the electrical output of PV devices. The guidelines given in this document are designed to relate the performance rating of PV devices to a common reference terrestrial solar spectral radiation distribution.

The reference terrestrial solar spectral radiation distribution for classifying solar simulators according to the spectral performance requirements in IEC 60904-9 is given in this document.

This new edition includes the following important technical changes over the previous edition:

• All spectral data have been recalculated due to some minor calculation and rounding errors in the third edition;
• The spherical spectral irradiation is fully restored to the data of the second edition;
• The angular distribution of the beam has been clarified.

Our organization, among numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment, within the framework of national and international standards, IEC 60904-3 Photovoltaic Devices - Part 3: Terrestrial Photovoltaic with Reference Spectral Irradiation Data ( PV) provides Measurement Principles testing services for Solar Energy Devices.