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Difference between revisions of "Technical Standards for Solar Home Systems (SHS)"

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The "Instituto de Energía Solar" at the "Universidad Politécnica de Madrid" prepared a report that is designed to form the basis for a Universal Standard for SHS. This Wiki-Page gives an overview of the standards proposed for the different parts of a typical SHS.
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[[Portal:Solar|►Back to Solar Portal]]
 +
= Overview =
  
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Source: [http://www.taqsolre.net/doc/Standard_IngV2.pdf Universal technical standard for solar home systems, Version 2, Thermie B SUP 995-96, EC-DGXVII, 1998, updated in 2001].<br>
+
To assure the quality of a [[Photovoltaic (PV)|photovoltaic]] power system and its correct functioning and guarantee costumers' satisfaction it is important that the components of the system and the system as a whole meet certain requirements.
  
−
<br>
+
= Introduction =
  
−
= Introduction  =
+
'''Photovoltaic (PV) '''systems for applications in developing countries have been tested, optimised and disseminated throughout the world over the last 20 years. A wide variety of demands have been made of the components and systems, partly for reasons due to country specific characteristics or regional availability, but also because there were no binding standards, or if there were, they were often not known.
  
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Field experience with PV rural electrification has shown that the performance of [[Solar Home Systems|solar home systems]] SHSs is not always entirely satisfactory. However, in-depth studies of the problems encountered in existing installations have revealed that the pure solar part, i.e. the PV generator, rarely fails. The PV system is often initially blamed for the failure but, when things go wrong, it is usually the other PV system components or the appliances which are powered by the PV generator which are found to have failed. This is mainly because, while PV modules are highly standardised and certified using internationally validated procedures, there are no equivalent standards and procedures available for balance-of-system components, component matching or installation quality, even though the quality of these components has a dramatic influence on user satisfaction and operating costs.  
+
The project activities in technical and financial co-operation at bilateral and multilateral level have moved away from the pilot phase and towards the dissemination of PV systems. Yet, secure technical standards are required for dissemination in order to minimise the need for adjustments after the fact and the related costs in the case of large unit numbers.
  
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This report results from work which has been funded by the European Commission under Thermie B contract (ref SUP 995 96), and is designed to form the basis for a Universal Standard for Solar Home Systems. It is based on a world-wide review of existing technical standards for SHSs (see Annex 1), which has revealed a large number of inconsistencies<sup>1</sup> between these standards. In particular, different approaches have been found for system sizing, and for specifying types of PV modules, the number of cells in PV modules, types of battery, charge regulation voltage set points, operational information for users, voltage drops, safety measurements and ballast, cables and connectors requirements.  
+
An international survey carried out in preparation for this publication showed that several different standardisation activities are in progress. Probably the most interesting international project is the so-called "Global Approval Program for Photovoltaics (PV GAP)", but also technical specifications such as those that have been proposed by the World Bank or the University of Madrid have already been elaborated in great detail.
  
−
In preparing this report, each of the different approaches has been assessed using scientific reasoning, empirical evidence and the personal experience of the authors. To a large extent, the standard proposed here can therefore be considered as Universal, because each of the existing standards has provided extremely valuable inputs. Moreover, a first draft version has been circulated amongst a wide number of experts from different countries (see Annex 2), and their invaluable comments have also been taken into account.
+
= Global Approval Program for Photovoltaics =
  
−
In parallel with the above mentioned review of existing standards, an enquiry was carried out to identify the concerns of key persons involved in PV rural electrification programmes, and to seek their views on the usefulness and implementation possibilities of a Universal Standard for SHSs. The need for flexibility, which would allow it to be adapted to the particular conditions of each country (climate, local manufacture, internal market, indigenous capabilities, etc.), has been the most outstanding demand. In order to meet this demand, the requirements presented in this standard have been classified into three categories: Compulsory, Recommended and Suggested.  
+
The publication provides an overview of standards that are relevant for '''Solar Home Systems (SHS)''' and in '''Rural Health Power Supply Systems (RHS)'''. It is intended to facilitate the selection of PV systems and components, especially in tenders, and to provide the impetus for a standardisation of PV systems on a scale that is as broad as possible. Moreover, it also identifies those components for which there is still a need for technical specifications.<br/>
  
−
'''Compulsory requirements (C)''' are those which could directly affect safety or reliability. Failure to meet these requirements could lead to personal injuries or to SHS failure, and they are therefore intended to constitute a minimum core of requirements which must be fulfilled anywhere in the world.  
+
This should lead, in the long term or better yet in the medium term, to binding, internationally recognised technical standards, especially for the use of photovoltaic systems in developing countries.
  
−
'''Recommended requirements (R)''' are those which would normally lead to system optimisation. Most of these requirements are universally applicable, and failure to meet them would normally lead to a cost increase. However, because economic considerations can depend on local conditions, the application of these requirements must be reviewed for each particular case.  
+
In preparing this publication, all of the well-known national and international institutions concerned with standardisation activities in the field of photovoltaics were contacted in writing. The existing photovoltaics projects of GTZ were also included in the survey.
  
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'''Suggested requirements (S)''' are those which might be expected to produce a sound installation. However, it should be noted that any judgement of soundness is essentially subjective, so the suggested requirements given here may have been influenced by the personal experience of the authors, and their applicability should also be reviewed for each particular case.  
+
In the course of the survey, information and documentation obtained from the World Bank, the '''World Health Organization (WHO)''', the international standardisation institution IEC, the European standardisation institution CENELEC, the U.S. standardisation office IEEE, as well as a series of projects, firms and experts, were compiled and evaluated.<br/>
  
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[1] "Systematic comparison of SHSs existing standards". IES Internal Report. 1997
+
The available PV-relevant standards were evaluated and summarised in the form of a table with a breakdown by components.
  
−
<br>
+
The list of standard specifications for tenders for SHS and RHS forms the largest part of the publication. Eleven different documents with specifications for PV systems and their components were evaluated for this purpose and summarised in a table. These documents varied widely in terms of quality and scope; some of them were intended for the specification of individual components, others as tender documents for whole systems.
  
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= Reliability  =
+
Based on these documents, standard specifications were prepared that can be used directly as text modules for international tenders. The minimum requirements were chosen in such a way that a reliably functioning Solar Home System can be set up according to the current state-of-the-art.
  
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SHS reliability, in the sense of lack of failures, depends not only on the reliability of the components, but also on some other features of the system which can directly affect the lifetime of batteries and lamps, such as size, the voltage thresholds of the charge regulator, the quality of installation, etc. Each component of the system must fulfil similar quality and reliability requirements because, if there is only one bad component in an otherwise perfect system, this will limit the quality of the whole.  
+
Systems and components that are used for power supply to '''[[Energy_for_Rural_Health_Centers|rural health stations (RHS)]]''' have to meet higher standards as a matter of principle. The available experience with PV systems in this area of application to date as well as a series of documents, especially from WHO, were evaluated and condensed. A separate list of specifications was compiled for the RHS sector.<br/>
  
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<br>
+
A separate set of standard texts for tenders for '''[[Photovoltaic_(PV)_Pumping|Photovoltaic Pumping Systems (PVP)]]''' entitled "Proposal for Tender Documents for the Procurement of Photovoltaic Pumping Systems (PVP)" is also available from GTZ, Div. 44, Sustainable Energy Systems.
 +
= Current Status of Standardisation Activities for Solar Home Systems =
  
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= PV Generator  =
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For an overview of quality standards for solar home systems , see [[Quality_Standards_for_Solar_Home_Systems_(SHS)|Quality Standards for Solar Home Systems (SHS)]]
  
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*PV modules certified according to the international standard IEC-61215 or to the national standard of PV modules used by the relevant country. '''(R)'''
 
  
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This requirement currently excludes thin-film PV modules, although certification procedures for such modules are also available (IEC-61646, SERI/TR-213-3624). Thin film modules are permitted in some projects supported by the World Bank and promising new modules are emerging onto international markets but until now the field experience with commercially available thin-film modules has been rather discouraging <sup>6,7</sup>. Their use in largescale programmes is therefore still considered to be extremely risky and it is recommended that they should only be accepted if supported by comprehensive long term guarantees.
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= Overview of Specifications for Solar Home Systems and Rural Health Power Supply =
  
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[6] M.J.Manimala. "Solar Photovoltaic Lanterns in rural India: a socio-economic evaluation of the schema as implemented in the state of Maharashtra in India". 12th EC PV Solar Energy Conference. Amsterdam. 1994
+
In the framework of the international survey, various documents with specifications for Solar Home Systems and their components were evaluated and summarised in the form of a table.<br/>
  
−
[7] E. Dunlop et al. "Electrical Characterisation and Analysis of Operating Conditions of Amorphous Silicon Building Integrated Photovoltaic Modules". 14th EC PV Conference. Barcelona. 1997
+
<u>The specifications in the table were subdivided into the following categories:</u><br/>
 +
*[[Solar Cells and Modules|PV generator]]
 +
*[[Standards_for_the_Module_Support_Structure|Support structure]]
 +
*[[Batteries|Battery]]
 +
*[[Charge_Controllers|Charge regulator]]
 +
*[[Lamps_and_Electric_Appliances|Lamp, ballast]]
 +
*[[Solar_Systems_-_Wiring_and_Fitting|Wiring, installation]]
 +
*[[Solar_Home_Systems_(SHS)_-_Quality_Standards_for_Documentation|Documentation]]
  
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<br>
+
<br/>
  
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= Support Structure  =
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<u>The following 11 documents were evaluated. Not all of the documents did include all components:</u>
 +
#Madrid “Universal Technical Standard for Solar Home Systems”, Instituto de Energía Solar, Universidad Politécnica de Sdrid, European Commission, Thermie B: SUP-995-96, EC-DGXVII,1998<ref>The specifications from Madrid University additionally contain a three-tier classification of the criteria according to compulsory (C), recommended (R) and suggested (S).</ref><br/>
 +
#FHG-ISE ´94 “Ladereglertest”, Fraunhofer Institut für Solare Energiesysteme, for GTZ OE 4150, Energie und Transport, 1994<br/>
 +
#GTZ ´93 “Standards für SHS-Laderegler” und “Vorläufige Grundanforderungen an elektronische Vorschaltgeräte”, GTZ, 1993<br/>
 +
#PSE Tunisia “Lastenheft Laderegler und elektronische Vorschaltgeräte für Photovoltaische Kleinsysteme”, c. 1994<br/>
 +
#Steca Midi “Datenblatt, Solarix Midi & Mini”, Steca Solarelektronik, c. 1993<br/>
 +
#SEP Marocco “Proposition d’un standard technique pour les systémes photovoltaiques familiaux”, CDER, Morocco, 1997<br/>
 +
#Namibia Health ”Tender: Okavango Clinics: Photovoltaic Systems”, GTZ, Department of Works, Namibia, 1997<br/>
 +
#Namibia SHS “Tender Annex B: Specifications for Solar Home Systems (50Wp)”, GTZ, Ministry of Mines and Energy Namibia, 1997<br/>
 +
#TÜV/CENELEC Standard Proposals: “Test Procedures for Charge Regulators and Lighting Systems in Solar Home Systems”, CENELEC CLC BTTF 86-2, 1998<br/>
 +
#Philippines ‘94 “Material Specification for Solar Home Systems”, GTZ SEP Philippinen, 1994<br/>
 +
#World Bank “Indonesia: Solar Home Systems Project, Specifications”, World Bank, 1996<br/>
  
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*Support structures should be able to resist, at least, 10 years of outdoor exposure without appreciable corrosion or fatigue. '''(C)'''
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<br/>
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*Support structures must withstand winds of 120 km/h. '''(R)'''
 
  
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Several materials can be used for support structures, including stainless steel, aluminium, galvanised iron with a protective layer of about 30 μm, treated wood, etc.  
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The results of the evaluation are listed in Annex A2. There is a separate table for each component.<ref>The table can be made available by e-mail as an Excel file upon request.</ref> (To view the tables [http://www.gtz.de/de/dokumente/en-gtz-pvquality.pdf downolad] the whole text.)
  
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*In the case of framed PV modules, only stainless steel fasteners (screws, nuts, rings, etc.) may be used for attaching them to support. '''(C)'''
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The specifications table can be used to get an initial overview of which criteria and corresponding components are mentioned in the respective documents.
  
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It is worth mentioning that frameless PV modules bonded to a frame with suitable adhesive products, while today scarcely used onto SHS market, are performing well in general PV applications and can also be accepted.  
+
The table for charge regulators is the most comprehensive; charge regulators are included in all 11 documents. Due to the variety of requirements, local conditions, personal preferences and, last but not least, the different purposes for which the documents are used, a total of 91 criteria were identified for charge regulators, some of which complement each other, or also conflict with one another, and in many cases can be summarised into more general criteria.
  
−
*Tilt angle should be selected to optimise the energy collection during the worst month, i.e., the month with the lowest ratio of monthly mean daily irradiation to the monthly mean daily load. Generally, constant user load can be assumed. Then, the following formula can be used
+
At the same time, however, this variety of criteria also shows that there is an urgent need for standardisation, especially of the main components charge regulator and lamp/ballast. On the other hand, if one considers the table for PV generators, for example, one finds that many criteria are already covered by the reference “Qualified according to IEC 61215”.
  
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Tilt (°) = max {|Φ|} + 10°}
+
<br/>
  
−
where Φ is the latitude of the installation. '''(R)'''
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= Specifications for Tenders of SHS and RHS =
  
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= Battery  =
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The most up-to-date, comprehensive and best elaborated documents from the previous chapter 4 have been used as the basis for the proposed specifications of SHS and RHS.
  
−
= The charge regulator  =
+
<u>Specifically, these are:</u><br/>
 +
*the tender documents of the World Bank for 200,000 SHS in Indonesia (and similarly 30,000 SHS in Sri Lanka) [11]
 +
*two tender documents for SHS [8] and RHS [7] in Namibia (which are partly based on the World Bank specifications)
 +
*the proposal by the University of Madrid for a “Universal Standard” [1]
 +
*the CENELEC draft standards for charge regulators and lamps/ballasts of the TÜVRheinland and FHG-ISE [9]
  
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= The loads (mainly lighting)  =
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<br/>
  
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= The wiring  =
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The specifications which, in the author's opinion, gave the best technical description were selected from these documents, revised and compiled according to component and topic. These can be used directly as text modules for international tenders. The minimum requirements in each case were selected in such a way that a reliably functioning system can be set up according to the technical state of the art<ref name="null">A separate compilation of tender documents for photovoltaic pumping systems (PVP) entitled “Proposal for Tender Documents for the Procurement of Photovoltaic Pumping-Systems (PVP)” is available from GTZ, Div. 44.</ref>.
  
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'''⇒ '''[[Solar Main Page|'''Back to Solar Section''']]
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<br/>
  
 +
<u>'''Tender Specifications for Solar Home Systems and Rural Health Power Supply Systems'''</u>:<br/>
 +
 +
Some of the texts proposed for the specifications presented here include additional notes marked <u>“Optional”</u>, <u>“Health”</u> and/or <u>''“Comment”''</u>:
 +
 +
<u>Optional:</u> Optional specifications for higher requirements, alternative equipment or special environmental conditions
 +
 +
<u>Health:</u> Additional or alternative specifications for Rural Health Power Supply Systems (RHS) with stricter requirements
 +
 +
''<u>Comment:</u> Explanation of the reason for choosing a certain specification or a personal opinion of the author''
 +
 +
<br/>
 +
 +
== Photovoltaic Generator (PV Modules) ==
 +
 +
For information about the PV Generators, see [[Standards_for_the_PV_Generator|Standards for the PV Generator]].
 +
 +
== Module Support Structure ==
 +
 +
For Information about module support Structure , see [[Standards_for_the_Module_Support_Structure|Standards for the Module Support Structure]].
 +
 +
== Battery ==
 +
 +
For more information about the technical standard for the battery, see [[Battery_in_a_Photovoltaic_Power_Supply_System_-_Standards|Battery in a Photovoltaic Power Supply System - Standards]]
 +
 +
== Charge Regulator ==
 +
 +
For information about the charge regulator, see [[Standards_for_the_Charge_Regulator|Standards for the Charge Regulator]].
 +
 +
== Loads ==
 +
 +
For information about the load , see [[Standards_for_the_Load|Standards for the Load]].
 +
 +
== System installation and wiring ==
 +
 +
For standards on system installation and wiring, see [[Standards_for_System_Installation_and_Wiring|Standards for System Installation and Wiring]]
 +
 +
== Grounding, Lightning Protection ==
 +
 +
For standards on lightning protection , see [[Standards_for_Grounding_and_Lightning_Protection|Standards for Grounding and Lightning Protection]]
 +
 +
== Documentation ==
 +
 +
For documents on solar home systems, see [[Solar_Home_Systems_(SHS)_-_Quality_Standards_for_Documentation|Solar Home Systems (SHS) - Quality Standards for Documentation]]
 +
 +
= Further Information =
 +
 +
*[[Publication_-_Pico-PV_Quality_Standards|Publication - Pico-PV Quality Standards]]‎; Lighting Global 2018
 +
*[https://sun-connect-news.org/fileadmin/DATEIEN/Dateien/New/Solar_Home_System_Design_Guideline_Final_2019_2.pdf World Bank: System Design Guidelines (2019)]
 +
*[[:File:Gtz quality standards for solar home systems and rural health power supply.pdf|Gtz quality standards for solar home systems and rural health power supply.pdf]]
 +
*[[Portal:Solar|Solar portal on energypedia]]
 +
*[[Solar Home Systems (SHS)|Solar Home Systems]]
 +
*[[Market for Solar Home Systems (SHS)|Market for Solar Home Systems (SHS)]]
 +
*[[Monitoring of Solar Home System (SHS)|Monitoring of Solar Home System (SHS)]]
 +
*[[Solar Home System (SHS) Costs|Solar Home System (SHS) Costs]]
 +
*[[Solar Home Systems: Costs, Financing, Business and Operation Models|Financing solar home systems]]
 +
*[[Planning, Installation and Maintenance of Solar Home System|Planning, Installation and Maintenance of Solar Home System]]<br/>
 +
= References =
 +
 +
The GTZ prepared a publication which gives an overview of different standardisation activities and existing standards that are relevant for '''[[Solar Home Systems (SHS)|solar home systems]] (SHS)''' and '''rural health power supply systems (RHS)''':
 +
 +
[[:File:Gtz_quality_standards_for_solar_home_systems_and_rural_health_power_supply.pdf|GTZ, Division 44, Environmental Management, Water, Energy, Transport: Quality Standards for Solar Home Systems and Rural Health Power Supply. Photovoltaic Systems in Developing Countries, February 2000.]]
 +
 +
<br/>This article is an extract of the publication mainly regarding Solar Home Systems (SHS).<br/>
 +
 +
<references /><br/>
 +
 +
[[Category:Solar_Home_Systems_(SHS)]]
 
[[Category:Solar]]
 
[[Category:Solar]]

Latest revision as of 14:35, 29 September 2021

►Back to Solar Portal

Overview

To assure the quality of a photovoltaic power system and its correct functioning and guarantee costumers' satisfaction it is important that the components of the system and the system as a whole meet certain requirements.

Introduction

Photovoltaic (PV) systems for applications in developing countries have been tested, optimised and disseminated throughout the world over the last 20 years. A wide variety of demands have been made of the components and systems, partly for reasons due to country specific characteristics or regional availability, but also because there were no binding standards, or if there were, they were often not known.

The project activities in technical and financial co-operation at bilateral and multilateral level have moved away from the pilot phase and towards the dissemination of PV systems. Yet, secure technical standards are required for dissemination in order to minimise the need for adjustments after the fact and the related costs in the case of large unit numbers.

An international survey carried out in preparation for this publication showed that several different standardisation activities are in progress. Probably the most interesting international project is the so-called "Global Approval Program for Photovoltaics (PV GAP)", but also technical specifications such as those that have been proposed by the World Bank or the University of Madrid have already been elaborated in great detail.

Global Approval Program for Photovoltaics

The publication provides an overview of standards that are relevant for Solar Home Systems (SHS) and in Rural Health Power Supply Systems (RHS). It is intended to facilitate the selection of PV systems and components, especially in tenders, and to provide the impetus for a standardisation of PV systems on a scale that is as broad as possible. Moreover, it also identifies those components for which there is still a need for technical specifications.

This should lead, in the long term or better yet in the medium term, to binding, internationally recognised technical standards, especially for the use of photovoltaic systems in developing countries.

In preparing this publication, all of the well-known national and international institutions concerned with standardisation activities in the field of photovoltaics were contacted in writing. The existing photovoltaics projects of GTZ were also included in the survey.

In the course of the survey, information and documentation obtained from the World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO), the international standardisation institution IEC, the European standardisation institution CENELEC, the U.S. standardisation office IEEE, as well as a series of projects, firms and experts, were compiled and evaluated.

The available PV-relevant standards were evaluated and summarised in the form of a table with a breakdown by components.

The list of standard specifications for tenders for SHS and RHS forms the largest part of the publication. Eleven different documents with specifications for PV systems and their components were evaluated for this purpose and summarised in a table. These documents varied widely in terms of quality and scope; some of them were intended for the specification of individual components, others as tender documents for whole systems.

Based on these documents, standard specifications were prepared that can be used directly as text modules for international tenders. The minimum requirements were chosen in such a way that a reliably functioning Solar Home System can be set up according to the current state-of-the-art.

Systems and components that are used for power supply to rural health stations (RHS) have to meet higher standards as a matter of principle. The available experience with PV systems in this area of application to date as well as a series of documents, especially from WHO, were evaluated and condensed. A separate list of specifications was compiled for the RHS sector.

A separate set of standard texts for tenders for Photovoltaic Pumping Systems (PVP) entitled "Proposal for Tender Documents for the Procurement of Photovoltaic Pumping Systems (PVP)" is also available from GTZ, Div. 44, Sustainable Energy Systems.

Current Status of Standardisation Activities for Solar Home Systems

For an overview of quality standards for solar home systems , see Quality Standards for Solar Home Systems (SHS)


Overview of Specifications for Solar Home Systems and Rural Health Power Supply

In the framework of the international survey, various documents with specifications for Solar Home Systems and their components were evaluated and summarised in the form of a table.

The specifications in the table were subdivided into the following categories:


The following 11 documents were evaluated. Not all of the documents did include all components:

  1. Madrid “Universal Technical Standard for Solar Home Systems”, Instituto de Energía Solar, Universidad Politécnica de Sdrid, European Commission, Thermie B: SUP-995-96, EC-DGXVII,1998[1]
  2. FHG-ISE ´94 “Ladereglertest”, Fraunhofer Institut für Solare Energiesysteme, for GTZ OE 4150, Energie und Transport, 1994
  3. GTZ ´93 “Standards für SHS-Laderegler” und “Vorläufige Grundanforderungen an elektronische Vorschaltgeräte”, GTZ, 1993
  4. PSE Tunisia “Lastenheft Laderegler und elektronische Vorschaltgeräte für Photovoltaische Kleinsysteme”, c. 1994
  5. Steca Midi “Datenblatt, Solarix Midi & Mini”, Steca Solarelektronik, c. 1993
  6. SEP Marocco “Proposition d’un standard technique pour les systémes photovoltaiques familiaux”, CDER, Morocco, 1997
  7. Namibia Health ”Tender: Okavango Clinics: Photovoltaic Systems”, GTZ, Department of Works, Namibia, 1997
  8. Namibia SHS “Tender Annex B: Specifications for Solar Home Systems (50Wp)”, GTZ, Ministry of Mines and Energy Namibia, 1997
  9. TÜV/CENELEC Standard Proposals: “Test Procedures for Charge Regulators and Lighting Systems in Solar Home Systems”, CENELEC CLC BTTF 86-2, 1998
  10. Philippines ‘94 “Material Specification for Solar Home Systems”, GTZ SEP Philippinen, 1994
  11. World Bank “Indonesia: Solar Home Systems Project, Specifications”, World Bank, 1996


The results of the evaluation are listed in Annex A2. There is a separate table for each component.[2] (To view the tables downolad the whole text.)

The specifications table can be used to get an initial overview of which criteria and corresponding components are mentioned in the respective documents.

The table for charge regulators is the most comprehensive; charge regulators are included in all 11 documents. Due to the variety of requirements, local conditions, personal preferences and, last but not least, the different purposes for which the documents are used, a total of 91 criteria were identified for charge regulators, some of which complement each other, or also conflict with one another, and in many cases can be summarised into more general criteria.

At the same time, however, this variety of criteria also shows that there is an urgent need for standardisation, especially of the main components charge regulator and lamp/ballast. On the other hand, if one considers the table for PV generators, for example, one finds that many criteria are already covered by the reference “Qualified according to IEC 61215”.


Specifications for Tenders of SHS and RHS

The most up-to-date, comprehensive and best elaborated documents from the previous chapter 4 have been used as the basis for the proposed specifications of SHS and RHS.

Specifically, these are:

  • the tender documents of the World Bank for 200,000 SHS in Indonesia (and similarly 30,000 SHS in Sri Lanka) [11]
  • two tender documents for SHS [8] and RHS [7] in Namibia (which are partly based on the World Bank specifications)
  • the proposal by the University of Madrid for a “Universal Standard” [1]
  • the CENELEC draft standards for charge regulators and lamps/ballasts of the TÜVRheinland and FHG-ISE [9]


The specifications which, in the author's opinion, gave the best technical description were selected from these documents, revised and compiled according to component and topic. These can be used directly as text modules for international tenders. The minimum requirements in each case were selected in such a way that a reliably functioning system can be set up according to the technical state of the art[3].


Tender Specifications for Solar Home Systems and Rural Health Power Supply Systems:

Some of the texts proposed for the specifications presented here include additional notes marked “Optional”, “Health” and/or “Comment”:

Optional: Optional specifications for higher requirements, alternative equipment or special environmental conditions

Health: Additional or alternative specifications for Rural Health Power Supply Systems (RHS) with stricter requirements

Comment: Explanation of the reason for choosing a certain specification or a personal opinion of the author


Photovoltaic Generator (PV Modules)

For information about the PV Generators, see Standards for the PV Generator.

Module Support Structure

For Information about module support Structure , see Standards for the Module Support Structure.

Battery

For more information about the technical standard for the battery, see Battery in a Photovoltaic Power Supply System - Standards

Charge Regulator

For information about the charge regulator, see Standards for the Charge Regulator.

Loads

For information about the load , see Standards for the Load.

System installation and wiring

For standards on system installation and wiring, see Standards for System Installation and Wiring

Grounding, Lightning Protection

For standards on lightning protection , see Standards for Grounding and Lightning Protection

Documentation

For documents on solar home systems, see Solar Home Systems (SHS) - Quality Standards for Documentation

Further Information

References

The GTZ prepared a publication which gives an overview of different standardisation activities and existing standards that are relevant for solar home systems (SHS) and rural health power supply systems (RHS):

GTZ, Division 44, Environmental Management, Water, Energy, Transport: Quality Standards for Solar Home Systems and Rural Health Power Supply. Photovoltaic Systems in Developing Countries, February 2000.


This article is an extract of the publication mainly regarding Solar Home Systems (SHS).

  1. ↑ The specifications from Madrid University additionally contain a three-tier classification of the criteria according to compulsory (C), recommended (R) and suggested (S).
  2. ↑ The table can be made available by e-mail as an Excel file upon request.
  3. ↑ A separate compilation of tender documents for photovoltaic pumping systems (PVP) entitled “Proposal for Tender Documents for the Procurement of Photovoltaic Pumping-Systems (PVP)” is available from GTZ, Div. 44.


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