IEC 61701-2020 PDF

Full title and description

IEC 61701:2020 — Photovoltaic (PV) modules — Salt mist corrosion testing. This international standard specifies laboratory test sequences and requirements to assess the resistance of PV modules and their components to corrosion from salt-containing mist (for example NaCl, MgCl2) and provides guidance for selecting appropriate test methods for different marine or salt-contaminated environments.

Abstract

IEC 61701:2020 (3rd edition) defines salt‑mist corrosion test sequences for photovoltaic modules, consolidating and aligning test methods referenced from IEC 61215, IEC 62108, IEC 61730‑2 and IEC 60068‑2‑52, and including a modified bypass‑diode functionality test. The standard helps manufacturers, test laboratories and certification bodies evaluate potential long‑term degradation caused by wet salt atmospheres and choose the appropriate salt‑mist procedure for the intended exposure.

General information

• Status: Active / International Standard.
• Publication date: 11 June 2020.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 27.160 (Solar energy engineering).
• Edition / version: 3rd edition (IEC 61701:2020).
• Number of pages: 30 pages (PDF typical edition size).

Scope

IEC 61701:2020 describes test sequences useful to determine the resistance of different PV modules to corrosion from salt mist containing chloride ions (for example NaCl and MgCl2). The document combines and references tests from IEC 61215‑2, IEC 62108, IEC 61730‑2 and IEC 60068‑2‑52, and provides guidance (normative Annex A) for selecting which salt‑mist test method is applicable to a given exposure or installation environment. The standard is intended for evaluation of faults and degradation that may occur when modules operate in wet atmospheres with high concentrations of dissolved salt (coastal, marine or salt‑contaminated industrial locations).

Key topics and requirements

• Defined salt‑mist corrosion test sequences appropriate for PV modules and associated components.
• Reference and alignment to test procedures in IEC 61215‑2, IEC 62108, IEC 61730‑2 and IEC 60068‑2‑52.
• Modified bypass‑diode functionality test to check diode behaviour after salt‑mist exposure.
• Normative guidance (Annex A) to help select the correct IEC 60068‑2‑52 method for different real‑world salt exposure scenarios.
• Consolidation of crystalline and thin‑film applicability (removal of separate crystalline vs thin‑film references present in earlier editions).
• Pass/fail criteria and condition monitoring procedures to identify permanent module degradation caused by salt contamination and corrosion.

Typical use and users

Primary users include PV module manufacturers (for design validation and quality control), independent test laboratories and certification bodies (type testing and conformity assessment), project and reliability engineers evaluating module selection for coastal or de‑icing salt exposure, and asset owners/operators who require confidence in long‑term performance in salt‑affected environments.

Related standards

IEC 61701 is intended to be used alongside and references the following standards: IEC 61215 (design qualification for crystalline silicon), IEC 61646 (thin‑film modules – older edition contexts), IEC 62108 (concentrator PV modules), IEC 61730‑2 (PV module safety – electrical/thermal), and IEC 60068‑2‑52 (environmental testing — salt mist). Regional/adopted versions (for example BS EN IEC 61701:2020) also exist.

Keywords

PV modules, photovoltaic, salt mist, salt fog, corrosion testing, chloride, IEC 61701, environmental test, coastal, marine, module durability.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61701:2020 is the international standard that specifies laboratory salt‑mist (salt fog) corrosion test sequences and associated requirements for photovoltaic (PV) modules and their components.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers test sequences to evaluate resistance to corrosion from salt‑containing mist, references to the applicable IEC test procedures (IEC 61215‑2, IEC 62108, IEC 61730‑2 and IEC 60068‑2‑52), a modified bypass‑diode functionality check, and guidance for selecting the most appropriate salt‑mist method for a given exposure.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Module manufacturers, independent test laboratories and certification bodies, project engineers specifying PV for coastal or salt‑affected sites, and asset owners assessing long‑term module reliability. These stakeholders use the standard for design verification, type testing and procurement decisions.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 61701:2020 is the current (3rd) edition, published 11 June 2020. It cancels and replaces the previous edition published in 2011. The document is listed as an active international standard.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: IEC 61701 is part of the family of IEC standards for PV module design, testing and safety (including IEC 61215, IEC 61646, IEC 61730 and related IEC environmental‑test standards). It is used in combination with those standards for full module qualification and safety assessment.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: PV modules, salt mist, salt fog, corrosion, chloride, environmental testing, durability, IEC 61701:2020.