Overview
IEC 62759-1:2022 - Photovoltaic (PV) modules - Transportation testing - Part 1: Transportation and shipping of module package units - defines methods to simulate transportation and subsequent environmental impacts on complete packaged PV module units. This second edition (2022) is a technical revision of the 2015 edition and focuses on realistic shipping simulations for flat‑plate PV modules, allowing coordination with design‑qualification tests (e.g., IEC 61215 / IEC 61646) so a single sample set can be used for both transport and performance evaluations.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability: Applies to flat‑plate PV modules; can serve as a basis for CPV testing though CPV specific tests/references were cancelled in this edition.
- Test procedures: Defines sequences for:
- Random vibration testing (PSD profiles)
- Shock testing
- Subsequent environmental stress tests (thermal, humidity and other combined effects as described in clause 6.4)
- Dynamic mechanical load testing (number of cycles updated in this edition)
- Sampling, handling and measurements: Guidance on sampling, intermediate measurements and stabilization steps to detect transport‑induced damage or performance shifts.
- Pass/fail and reporting: Edition 2 adds explicit pass/fail criteria and updated reporting requirements to support decision making after testing.
- Retesting and design changes: Annex B lists design modifications triggering retests; edition 2 modifies retesting requirements.
- Notable changes from 2015 edition:
- Cancellation of CPV tests/references
- Removal of different PV module classes and minimum of 10 modules per shipping unit
- Implementation of stabilization as an intermediate measurement
- Addition of pass/fail criteria, changed retesting rules, and adjusted dynamic mechanical load cycles
Practical applications and who uses this standard
- PV module manufacturers - validate that packaging and modules survive shipping and handling without loss of performance.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies - perform standardized transport simulations to support product qualification and claims.
- Packaging designers and logistics teams - develop and qualify packaging systems and unit loads for road, rail, air and sea transport.
- Quality assurance and R&D engineers - reproduce transport stress to identify failure modes and improve module robustness.
- Project developers and EPC contractors - assess shipping risk and conditional acceptance criteria for delivered PV modules.
Related standards (normative references)
Important referenced standards include: IEC 60068‑2‑27, IEC 60068‑2‑64, IEC 61215 (and parts), IEC 61646, IEC 61730‑2, ISO 13355, ASTM D4169 / D4728, ISTA 3E, and MIL‑STD‑810G. These are used for vibration, shock and packaging test guidance and to align transport testing with existing PV qualification frameworks.
Keywords: IEC 62759-1, transportation testing of PV modules, shipping simulation, random vibration testing, shock testing, dynamic mechanical load, pass/fail criteria, PV module transport standards.