Title:	Hail Impact Test on PV Modules: Improving the Test Setup to 100mm Hail Class
Author(s):	M. Caccivio, F. Valoti, M. Ceretti, M. Ronchi, G. Bellenda, D. Forni, M. Dotta, N. Tesio, E. Cadoni
Keywords:	Qualification and Testing, Reliability, Safety, PV Module
Topic:	Photovoltaic Modules and BoS Components
Subtopic:	Materials for PV Modules, Durability, Reliability and Accelerated Testing Methods
Event:	8th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion
Session:	3DO.19.6
ISBN:	3-936338-86-8
Price:	0,00 EUR
Document(s):	presentation

Abstract/Summary:

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In Switzerland, due to the particular conditions of the environment, the applied hail test standard, issued by VKF (Vereinigung Kantonaler Feuerversicherungen, association of cantonal fire insurers) is more demanding, setting minimum requirement at 30 mm but in practical terms, raising it to 40 mm and more. In this framework, SUPSI PVLab, the only ISO 17025 accredited test laboratory for PV modules in Switzerland, is working on improvements of the hail test stand, to reach 100mm of diameter and 166 km/h of speed, in order to grant sufficient test margins for the module manufacturers to evaluate the robustness of their products. Further to this, the increase in ice ball diameter brings together the need to evaluate the preparation of samples, their repeatability and representativity, and the possibility to manage high speeds with high mass in order to have low uncertainty on the impact energy, as required in the Swiss norm.