IEC TS 62727-2012 PDF

Full title and description

Photovoltaic systems — Specifications for solar trackers. IEC/TS 62727:2012 provides industry-wide definitions, a specification template and recommended measurement techniques to specify and evaluate the performance of solar trackers used with photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) modules, enabling consistent vendor comparisons and verification of tracker characteristics.

Abstract

This Technical Specification defines performance characteristics, taxonomy and parameters for solar trackers (single-axis and dual-axis) for PV applications, and describes methods to calculate and measure critical parameters such as tracking accuracy, stow behaviour, energy consumption and mechanical loads. It includes a specification template and example values to assist purchasers, manufacturers and test laboratories in defining and verifying tracker performance.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (IEC withdrawal date 25 December 2020).
• Publication date: 2012-05-30 (Edition 1.0, 2012).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), prepared by TC 82 (Solar photovoltaic energy systems).
• ICS / categories: 27.160 (Solar energy engineering / photovoltaic systems).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2012).
• Number of pages: IEC webstore lists 30 pages (some national/adopted publications report 34 pages in their PDF/covering material).

Scope

IEC/TS 62727:2012 provides guidelines for the parameters to be specified for solar trackers used in PV and CPV systems, plus recommendations for measurement techniques and example performance values. The document covers tracker definitions and taxonomy, payload types, rotational axes, actuation and control strategies (including passive, active and backtracking), structural characteristics, stow behaviour, energy consumption, external interfaces and a specification template to be used in procurement and testing.

Key topics and requirements

• Specification template for tracker procurement and datasheets (manufacturer, model, type, payload limits, foundation and interfaces).
• Definitions and taxonomy for tracker types and payloads (standard PV modules and CPV modules).
• Rotational-axis descriptions and classification (single-axis, dual-axis) and their expected ranges of motion.
• Actuation, drive types and control strategies, including active control, passive control and backtracking algorithms.
• Structural characteristics and foundation/interface requirements, allowable torques and installation tolerances.
• Performance metrics and recommended measurement methods: tracking accuracy (typical and percentile values under low/high wind), stow time, daily and stow energy consumption and emergency stow provisions.
• Interfaces (mechanical and electrical payload interfaces, grounding, communications) and test/method examples to enable repeatable verification.

Typical use and users

Used by tracker manufacturers to define product performance and interfaces; by system designers and EPC contractors to specify tracker requirements in procurement documents; by test laboratories and certification bodies to create test plans and verify claimed performance; and by project owners/operators to compare and accept tracker products. The document is intended primarily for industry stakeholders in PV and CPV plants.

Related standards

IEC/TS 62727 sits within the IEC TC 82 portfolio of PV standards and is referenced by other documents (for example IEC TR 63149 on PV farm land usage). Other commonly referenced PV standards relevant to tracker-equipped systems include IEC 62548 (PV arrays — design requirements), IEC 61215 (PV module design qualification and type approval), IEC 61730 (PV module safety qualification) and the IEC 60904 series (PV device measurement procedures). These documents address module qualification, array design, safety and electrical/optical measurement methods that are complementary to tracker specifications.

Keywords

solar tracker; photovoltaic systems; PV; CPV; tracking accuracy; backtracking; stow time; specification template; tracker taxonomy; TC 82.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC/TS 62727:2012 is a Technical Specification titled "Photovoltaic systems — Specifications for solar trackers" that defines tracker-related parameters, terminology and recommended measurement techniques for PV and CPV applications.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers a specification template, tracker definitions and taxonomy, payload types, rotational axes, actuation and control strategies (incl. backtracking), structural and foundation interfaces, performance metrics (tracking accuracy, energy consumption, stow behaviour) and examples of measurement methods.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers, system designers, EPC contractors, test laboratories, certification bodies and project owners/operators involved in specifying, procuring, testing or verifying solar trackers and tracker-equipped PV/CPV systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC/TS 62727:2012 has been withdrawn (IEC withdrawal recorded on 25 December 2020). Users should check for any newer IEC publications or national adaptations that replace or build on this TS and consult the IEC webstore or their national committee for the latest applicable documents.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a Technical Specification produced under IEC TC 82 (Solar photovoltaic energy systems). It is intended as a foundation for further standards work (design qualification, reliability and related application TRs) within the PV standards portfolio.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Solar trackers, photovoltaic systems, CPV, tracking accuracy, backtracking, stow time, specification template, tracker taxonomy, TC 82.