IEC 62670-3-2017 PDF

Full title and description

Photovoltaic concentrators (CPV) - Performance testing - Part 3: Performance measurements and power rating. This international standard specifies measurement procedures, instrumentation and reporting requirements for determining concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) performance and for establishing power ratings under concentrator standard operating conditions (CSOC) and concentrator standard test conditions (CSTC), as defined in IEC 62670-1.

Abstract

IEC 62670-3:2017 defines the procedures and apparatus required to measure CPV device and system performance on‑sun and in test conditions, and gives requirements for calculating and reporting power ratings. The document complements IEC 62670‑1 (standard conditions) and is intended to provide repeatable, comparable measurement results for manufacturers, test laboratories and certification bodies.

General information

• Status: Current international standard (published and in force; stability date listed through 2029).
• Publication date: 7 February 2017 (IEC publication).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 27.160 — Solar energy engineering.
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2017).
• Number of pages: 85 pages (official IEC publication pagination).

Scope

IEC 62670-3:2017 applies to concentrator photovoltaic modules, assemblies and systems and specifies measurement methods, required instrumentation and test procedures to determine electrical performance and to derive power ratings. The standard covers on‑sun and laboratory measurements referenced to the concentrator standard operating conditions (CSOC) and concentrator standard test conditions (CSTC) defined in IEC 62670‑1, and includes requirements for sampling, device marking, test apparatus and reporting.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions of CSOC (concentrator standard operating conditions) and CSTC (concentrator standard test conditions) and their use for reporting.
• Measurement procedures for I–V and power output under direct‑normal irradiance (DNI) conditions appropriate for CPV.
• Instrumentation and reference device requirements (spectral, irradiance and temperature measurement).
• Sampling rules, DUT (device under test) marking and information to be provided with test samples.
• Procedures for determining power rating and for applying temperature, irradiance and spectral corrections (references to IEC 60891 / IEC 60904 series where relevant).
• Reporting content and test report format, including uncertainty considerations and environmental test conditions.
• Requirements for standard apparatus and test set‑up to ensure repeatability and comparability between laboratories.

Typical use and users

Used by CPV module and system manufacturers, independent test laboratories, certification and conformity assessment bodies, research organizations and project developers for performance verification, product development, type‑approval and data‑sheet power rating. The standard is applied both in on‑sun field testing and in controlled test‑facility measurements.

Related standards

Main related documents include IEC 62670‑1 (Part 1: Standard conditions) and IEC 62670‑2 (Part 2: Energy measurement); normative references also include relevant parts of the IEC 60904 series (photovoltaic device measurement) and IEC 60891 (temperature and irradiance corrections). These standards together form the CPV performance testing series used by TC 82.

Keywords

CPV, concentrator photovoltaic, performance testing, power rating, CSOC, CSTC, DNI, irradiance measurement, spectral correction, IEC 62670.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 62670-3:2017 is Part 3 of the IEC 62670 series and provides measurement procedures and requirements for determining CPV performance and for establishing power ratings under the standard CPV test and operating conditions.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers measurement procedures (on‑sun and laboratory), instrumentation and reference devices, sampling and marking, test apparatus requirements, reporting format, and methods to derive and report power ratings referenced to CSOC and CSTC.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: CPV module and system manufacturers, independent test laboratories, certification bodies, research institutes and project developers who need consistent, repeatable performance measurements and standardized power ratings.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As published it is the current (2017) edition of IEC 62670‑3; the IEC webstore lists the document as edition 1.0 with a stability date through 2029 and no published amendments on the IEC listing. Users should check for any national adoptions or later amendments before relying on the document for compliance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — IEC 62670 is a multipart series for CPV performance testing. Part 1 defines standard conditions (CSOC/CSTC), Part 2 addresses energy measurement, and Part 3 (this document) covers performance measurements and power rating.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: CPV, concentrator photovoltaic, performance testing, power rating, CSOC, CSTC, DNI, irradiance, spectral correction, IEC 62670.