scope:

Scope and object

This part of IEC 60904 describes procedures for the measurement of current-voltage characteristics of photovoltaic devices in natural or simulated sunlight. These procedures are applicable to a single photovoltaic solar cell, a sub-assembly of photovoltaic solar cells, or a PV module.

NOTE 1 This standard may be applicable to multi-junction test specimens, if each sub-junction generates the same amount of current as it would under the reference AM1,5 spectrum in IEC 60904-3.

NOTE 2 This standard may be applicable to PV devices designed for use under concentrated irradiation if they are irradiated using direct normal irradiance and a mismatch correction with respect to a direct normal reference spectrum is performed.

The purpose of this standard is to lay down basic requirements for the measurement of current-voltage characteristics of photovoltaic devices, to define procedures for different measuring techniques in use and to show practices for minimising measurement uncertainty.