Author: PPD Team Date: 30/05/2025
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued draft guidelines for series approval of solar photovoltaic (SPV) modules under the Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order, 2025. The rules aim to help labs and manufacturers group similar products for testing and certification.
The draft defines how to form a product family based on shared design, construction, and components. It allows testing of modules from different power classes together, using standards like IEC TS 62915 and IEC 60904-1:2020.
Hysteresis losses in high-capacitance PV modules are to be tested. Any change in the bill of materials (BOM) will require fresh samples for retesting.
For IS 14286:2023 qualification, twelve complete modules are to be randomly selected from production batches. Each is expected to carry internal markings showing model number, wattage, manufacturing details, and serial number. A ±3% power rating tolerance is acceptable. Labs will reject modules without the required markings.
Under IS/IEC 61730-1:2023, manufacturers are required to submit the full BOM, fabrication details, and compliance certificates. For safety testing under IS/IEC 61730-2:2023, ten framed and two unframed modules are needed, along with spares where pollution levels or cemented joints need to be verified.
Special provisions apply to cemented joint tests like MST 35 and MST 36. These involve unframed modules, and for glass/glass designs, 20 additional samples are needed.
Retesting rules under IS/IEC 62915:2023 require disclosure of any design or material changes since the last certification. Major changes can lead to full or partial retesting, depending on the level of deviation. If declared power tolerance exceeds limits, the module is to be tested at the extreme value.