PV System Standard in development by ASTM committee.December 1, 2011 -
Proposed standard ASTM WK22009, Test Method for Reporting Photovoltaic Non-Concentrator System Performance, aims to simplify process of PV system acceptance and reduce cost associated with negotiating PV system purchase. In addition to outlining test method that can be used to determine PV system power production capacity compared to agreed-upon specifications, standard will offer test that serves as means of tracking PV system performance over time.
Proposed New Photovoltaic System Standard Being Developed by ASTM Alternative Energy Committee |
(Archive News Story - Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
ASTM International
100 Barr Harbor Dr., Box C700
West Conshohocken, PA, 19428-2959
USA
Press release date: November 29, 2011
W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.-A proposed new ASTM International standard will simplify the process of photovoltaic system acceptance and help reduce the cost associated with negotiating a PV system purchase. ASTM WK22009, Test Method for Reporting Photovoltaic Non-Concentrator System Performance, is being developed by Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion, part of ASTM International Committee E44 on Solar, Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources.
According to Adrianne Kimber, director, performance and prediction, First Solar Inc., and an E44 member, once ASTM WK22009 has been approved it will serve two primary functions, the first being PV system acceptance.
"When a system developer sells a PV system, they aggregate many different components into a custom-built system," says Kimber. "When the construction is complete, the system owner needs some method of judging whether this complex, custom-built system will do what the developer said it would do." ASTM WK22009 will outline a test method that can be used to determine a PV system's power production capacity compared to agreed-upon specifications.
In addition, the test contained in the proposed standard will serve as a useful means of tracking PV system performance over time.
"This test can be run periodically throughout the course of a PV system's life to accurately track the long-term change in the performance of the system," Kimber notes.
PV system developers and purchasers are encouraged to join in the ongoing development of ASTM WK22009.
ASTM International welcomes and encourages participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.
ASTM International is one of the largest international standards development and delivery systems in the world. ASTM International meets the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles for the development of international standards: coherence, consensus, development dimension, effectiveness, impartiality, openness, relevance and transparency. ASTM standards are accepted and used in research and development, product testing, quality systems and commercial transactions.
View this release on the ASTM Web site at www.astmnewsroom.org. Follow us on Twitter @ASTMEnergy.
ASTM Committee E44 Next Meeting: June 27-28, 2012, in conjunction with D02 meeting, San Francisco, Calif.
Technical Contact: Adrianne Kimber, First Solar, Oakland, Calif, Phone: 650-274-9474; akimber@firstsolar.com
ASTM Staff Contact: Christine DeJong, Phone: 610-832-9736; cdejong@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
