Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE

Module Certification

Tests for the Certification of PV Modules

Our TestLab PV Modules is accredited among other things, to conduct certification tests in accordance with the most important quality and safety standards for PV modules. Specifically, these are the following standards:

  • EN IEC 61730
  • IEC 61215

For the successful market launch of a PV module, it is mandatory that the module design be certified according to both standards. Compliance with EN IEC 61730 is the surest way for a manufacturer to obtain a CE Declaration of Conformity for the product and thus approval for sale in the EU.

Since the two standards are highly consistent in content, modules are typically tested according to both standards in a combined process. The following figure schematically illustrates the testing procedure. You can learn more about the individual test procedures here.

© Fraunhofer ISE
For certification, reliability, quality, and safety are tested. The diagram shows the test procedure in accordance with IEC 61215-1/-2:2021 and IEC 61730-2:2016.

TestLab PV Modules is accredited to perform the tests required for certification; the certificate is then issued by a national certification body. To this end, the laboratory cooperates with the VDE Testing and Certification Institute, which, as a so-called NCB (National Certification Body), evaluates test results and ultimately issues certificates and grants marks.

CE Marking for PV Modules

Many European directives require that products bear the CE marking. Anyone who affixes a CE marking to a product declares to the authorities that the product
• complies with all applicable European regulations and
• has undergone the prescribed conformity assessment procedures.

For PV modules, the Low-Voltage Directive (2014/95/EU) applies in this regard. According to this directive, a product is presumed to be compliant if it has been tested in accordance with a mandated, harmonized product safety standard. For PV modules, EN IEC 61730-1 and -2 (PV Modules—Safety Qualification), in their 2018 edition, are currently listed as harmonized standards. Part 1 specifies the safety requirements for the design, while Part 2 specifies the requirements for electrical safety testing. In addition, compliance with IEC 61215-1 and -2 is a common market standard for PV modules, although it is not required for CE marking. This standard describes requirements for the performance and reliability characteristics of a PV module.

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