Overview
EN ISO 22975-1:2016 (ISO 22975-1:2016) – titled Solar energy - Collector components and materials - Part 1: Evacuated tubes - Durability and performance - defines terminology and standardized test methods for the materials, durability and performance of evacuated tubes used in solar thermal collectors. Endorsed by CEN as a European standard, this document is applicable to all types of evacuated tubes and supports consistent evaluation across manufacturers, test labs and specifiers.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard focuses on measurable properties and test procedures rather than prescriptive design rules. Key technical topics covered include:
- Material tests: inspection and test methods for optical and surface properties such as solar transmittance, solar absorptance and hemispherical emittance.
- Durability tests: procedures to assess long‑term robustness including vacuum performance, resistance to thermal shock, impact resistance, and resistance to internal pressure.
- Performance tests: methods to determine operational parameters such as exposure parameter, solar irradiation required for temperature increase (double‑glass tubes) and the average heat loss coefficient.
- Classification and test lists, plus definitions and normative references to ensure consistent interpretation and repeatable testing.
These topics enable standardized measurement of optical, thermal and mechanical behaviour that directly affect evacuated‑tube collector reliability and efficiency.
Practical applications and users
EN ISO 22975-1:2016 is primarily used for:
- Manufacturers: product development, quality control and validation of evacuated tube performance and durability claims.
- Independent test laboratories: carrying out repeatable tests to produce comparable data for certification and reporting.
- Certification bodies and regulators: establishing conformance criteria for market access and warranty assessment.
- System designers, specifiers and procurement teams: selecting tubes based on standardized performance metrics for solar thermal systems.
- Research and R&D teams: comparing materials, coatings and tube constructions under standardised conditions.
Using the standard helps reduce technical disputes, inform warranty terms and improve procurement specifications by providing objective, reproducible test results.
Related standards
- ISO 22975-1:2016 is part of the broader ISO work on solar energy (ISO/TC 180) and aligns with CEN/TC 312 activities for thermal solar systems and components.
- Users should consult other parts of the ISO 22975 series (where applicable) and relevant national or regional test and certification standards when preparing product documentation or compliance files.
Keywords: EN ISO 22975-1:2016, ISO 22975-1:2016, evacuated tubes, solar energy, durability testing, performance testing, collector components, test methods, solar collectors.