MNRE Issues Draft Guidelines For Series Approval And Testing Of Solar PV Modules Under 2025 Standards

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has released draft guidelines for the series approval of Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) modules for testing in laboratories. These guidelines will help manufacturers and testing labs prepare and evaluate solar modules as per the Solar Systems, Devices, and Components Goods Order, 2025. The objective is to ensure consistency, safety, and quality in module manufacturing by defining rules for testing product families and handling changes in design or materials.

A product family is defined as a group of solar modules with a common design, construction, and essential components that ensure conformity with standards. For performance testing under IEC TS 62915, manufacturers need to submit at least two modules from the lowest, median, and highest power classes within the product range. If the median class does not exist, the next available class will be used. For label verification, modules from the extreme ends of the power class must be submitted.

Modules must also meet IV measurement standards where hysteresis loss must remain below 0.5% as per IEC 60904-1:2020. If not, additional electrical details such as current and voltage variation (dI/dt and dV/dt) and error parameters must be reported to investigate high capacitance behavior.

If there is any change in the Bill of Materials (BOM) for a module family, the new version must be retested, and appropriate fees will apply. Sample selection must follow strict rules. According to IS 14286:2023, twelve fully finished modules must be selected randomly from a batch for testing. They must match the manufacturer’s usual specifications and come with full documentation on handling, mounting, and electrical connection. Each module must have clear, laminated markings including the manufacturer’s name, model number, serial number, power rating with tolerance, and manufacturing date and place. Tolerance of up to ±3% in power is acceptable.

For safety testing under IS/IEC 61730-1 and IS/IEC 61730-2:2023, manufacturers must provide complete details of the bill of materials and manufacturing process. Certification from IS/IEC standards is mandatory where available. Ten framed modules and two unframed ones are required for testing. Additional samples are needed if pollution degree or cemented joint tests are performed. Modules used for MST 24, MST 32, MST 35, and MST 36 can be non-functional but must be structurally identical.

If any changes are made in the module design, material, or production process, retesting as per IS/IEC 62915:2023 is required. The manufacturer must disclose all such changes and provide supporting data. This ensures that all variations remain within acceptable limits, and retesting can be done based on worst-case scenarios. These draft guidelines are aimed at improving the reliability and certification process of solar PV modules in India.