Solar Panel Testing and Inspection Equipment
Verify Photovoltaic Modules
As the solar industry has grown over the years, the SDC team has developed many types of automated testing and inspection equipment for photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturers. All our solar testing equipment can be customized to meet requirements for safety, function and performance while maintaining compliance with UL 61730-1 and UL 61730-2 standards. All SDC systems are equipped with additional ergonomic and safety features.
Custom Automated Testing Equipment
Wet or Dry High Potential (HIPOT) Testing System
Evaluate the insulation of the PV module under wet operating conditions to verify that moisture (rain, fog, dew, snow, or any other sources of moisture) does not enter the active parts of the module, where it may cause corrosion and other safety hazards.
Our equipment meets all requirements in:
UL 1703 Section 27
IEC 61646, Section 10.15 (Thin-film terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules)
We comply with international standard IEC 61215 for design and approval certification.
Mechanical Load Test System (Static and Dynamic)
Measure the durability and longevity of PV panels. SDC’s mechanical load test can perform both static and dynamic load testing. Our system is equipped with zone control which can isolate and test only certain zones of the panel, if desired.
Our system operates using a series of programmed and pneumatically powered cylinders with suction to connect to the module. The cylinders move on a pre-determined test schedule that specifies the speed, force and duration of each test.
Our system can accept a wide range of PV module sizes up to 2009mm x 1232 mm.
Our system meets the requirements in IEC 61215-1-1.
Module Breakage & Hail Impact System
Test PV modules to ensure they can withstand a severe storm with hail and other impact. Our equipment performs both a module breakage test (module rupture test) and a hail impact test.
Module breakage test: per IEC 61730-2:2015, Section 10.20, this system is equipped with a small wrecking ball mechanism that can swing and contact the module at a predetermined speed in order to test breakage.
Hail impact test: per IEC 61215-2, Edition 1 2016-03, Section 4.17, this system is equipped with a pneumatic powered launch mechanism to accurately launch pre-made ice spheres at the module to simulate hail.
Our system can test modules up to 2009mm x 1232 mm.
Reverse Current Overload (RCOL) Test System
Our RCOL test system connects a solar panel to a power supply and runs a custom C # .NET software that sends an electrical current through the panel. A thermal imaging camera will then capture temperature data throughout the panel and map hot spots.
Our system can test modules up to 2009mm x 1232mm.
Automated Panel Thickness Measurement System
Measure solar panel thickness and bow over a number of programmable points along the panel using “pinch” sensors. When the testing sequence is complete, the sensors will automatically move out of the way.
Our system includes a calibration block and automatic adjustments. Results are stored in a database that can be customized to a customer’s requirements.
Image Capture Equipment
Capture a glare-free image of the whole PV module for research and development on your PV production line.
Simply, place a PV module inside our enclosed, dark test chamber designed to eliminate glare. A line scan camera will then “sweep” over the image to create one final image of the whole module.
XY Mapping Machine
Take reflectance measurements at pre-determined X, Y coordinates on a PV module using a reflectometer to measure the quality of the module coating.
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