Objective
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The main goal of this project is to set up a rating procedure for PV lighting systems, using mainly performance specifications in addition to component specifications. Up to now, the "component specification" approach has been used for large system procurement. But finally, no uniform mean of comparison exists and no practical information can be given to the consumers. A rating method of the lighting system performance would provide a standardised information to potential customers and allow an objective comparative assessment of different designs.
The additional goals of this Project are:
To develop a standardised representation of system features and performance, making the procurement process easier.
To test existing products. During the work done for the development of the indoor and outdoor test procedures, most of the European products presently available on the market will be tested: at least 2 samples coming from at least 10 manufacturers. These results will be a by-product of this project.
To assess outdoor test procedures. Although not applicable to international standards, such procedures may be interesting for some test centers located in developing countries, for comparison purposes under real conditions. The discrepancies between indoor and outdoor test results will have been determined.
TECHNICAL APPROACH
The main problem that must be solved is to develop an indoor rating procedure, which can be applied to several system designs and must be representative enough of most weather conditions and end-user needs.
Therefore, the selected approach consists of three main steps:
A review of existing test procedures and standards, and at the same time, the supply of more than 30 systems, provided by at least ten different suppliers
Three types of tests will be performed in parallel:
- Component tests: performance of qualification tests for each individual component of the system with respect to electrical / mechanical (i.e. technical) safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), sustainability, endurance etc.
- Indoor system tests: testing of the completely assembled systems without integration of PV modules, in a laboratory (indoor conditions). The energy supply pattern will be adjusted to typical irradiation patterns, load demands and environmental conditions.
- Outdoor system tests: testing of the completely assembled systems in outdoor conditions.
Validation of the indoor rating and test procedure and use of this procedure within the appropriate standardisation organisations.
EXPECTED ACHIEVEMENTS AND EXPLOITATION
The performance rating procedure will be intended for use in comparing different PV lighting systems. It will not of course accurately indicate the level of performance a system will have at any site.
It is expected that at the end of this project, the main results will be:
- the creation of a Standardised representation of system features and performance, thereby simplifying the procurement process and improving the commercial marketability.
- a proposal made to the CENELEC and IEC TC 82 groups for a new standard: Due to the long duration of the standardisation process (usually at least 3 years), the final step will not be reached during this project, but the "Committee Draft for Voting" stage will be achieved.
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance
France