PV Environmental Test Chamber

With the rapid development of the renewable energy industry, photovoltaic (PV) modules, as core components of solar power systems, are receiving increasing attention for their performance and reliability. In practical applications, PV modules often face various extreme weather conditions, such as high temperature, high humidity, and long-term moisture penetration. To ensure the stable operation of PV modules under various environments, related testing and evaluation are particularly important.

Recently, a PV Environmental Test Chamber specifically designed for evaluating the performance of PV modules has attracted widespread attention. This test chamber can simulate the high-temperature and high-humidity environments that PV modules may encounter in actual operation, conducting comprehensive testing of the modules by controlling temperature and humidity parameters.

The photovoltaic industry uses high and low temperature humidity test chambers to test the performance and durability of photovoltaic (PV) modules, which are components of solar panels. PV modules are exposed to different environmental conditions, including humidity, temperature variations, and ultraviolet radiation, which affects their efficiency and lifespan.

High and low temperature humidity test chambers can simulate different environmental conditions, including high humidity and temperature, to assess the impact of these conditions on the performance and durability of PV modules. Humidity testing is crucial for evaluating the long-term performance of PV modules because high humidity can cause degradation of the packaging materials used in the manufacturing process, leading to reduced efficiency and lifespan of the PV modules.

Working Principle:

A photovoltaic module high-temperature and high-humidity environment test chamber is a device specifically designed for performing damp heat tests. It simulates the operating conditions of photovoltaic modules in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment by controlling temperature and humidity parameters. The test chamber typically consists of a sealed test chamber, a temperature and humidity control system, a data acquisition system, and safety measures. During the test, the modules are placed in the chamber, and the temperature and humidity control system provides the corresponding temperature and humidity according to the set test conditions. The chamber continuously maintains these conditions to simulate the high-temperature and high-humidity environment that photovoltaic modules may encounter in actual operation. Simultaneously, the data acquisition system records parameters such as electrical performance and appearance changes during the test to evaluate its reliability and performance.

Pre-start Inspection Procedure

Before each startup, perform the "three checks and three observations" procedure: Check the power system, ensuring the supply voltage is within ±5% of the rated value, the phase sequence of the three-phase power supply is correct (verifiable with a phase sequence detector), and the grounding resistance is ≤4Ω; check the environmental conditions, ensuring there are no obstructions within 1.5 meters of the equipment, ventilation openings are not blocked, the laboratory temperature is maintained between 15-30℃, and the relative humidity is ≤85%; check the test load, ensuring the sample volume does not exceed 1/3 of the chamber volume, the weight is evenly distributed on the rack, avoiding single-point loads exceeding 5kg/cm², and the distance between the sample and the chamber wall is ≥5cm.

For equipment with humidity control, the humidification system must be specifically checked: the water level gauge should show sufficient water (not below the scale line), there should be no obvious scale buildup in the humidification tank, and the wet bulb gauze should be clean and fully covering the sensor probe. If the equipment is to be restarted after a long period of inactivity, preheat it for 30 minutes before turning on the cooling or heating function.

Operating Procedures:

1. Preparation: Check that the test chamber is in good working order, confirm the power connection is normal, and that the equipment is undamaged or malfunctioning.

2. Pre-test Calibration: Calibrate according to the equipment manual to ensure the accuracy of the test results.

3. Sample Placement: Place the solar photovoltaic modules in the designated location inside the test chamber, ensuring the module surface is clean and unobstructed.

4. Setting Test Parameters: Enter the corresponding parameters according to the required test conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and light intensity.

5. Starting the Test: Press the start button; the test chamber will automatically begin testing. During the test, closely monitor the equipment's operating status and adjust the parameters as needed.

6. Data Analysis: After the test is completed, export and analyze the test data to evaluate the performance of the solar photovoltaic modules.

Standard Operating Procedures After Shutdown

After completing the test, operate in reverse order: First, turn off the cooling/heating/humidification functions, keep the fan running for 30 minutes, and wait until the internal temperature drops to room temperature ±5℃ before disconnecting the main power supply. After removing the samples, clean the working chamber: wipe the inner walls and shelves with a neutral detergent (such as a 5% alcohol solution) to remove residual stains; for equipment after humidity testing, open the chamber door for ventilation for 2 hours to prevent mold growth.

For long-term shutdown (more than 7 days), special handling is required: drain the water from the humidification tank, remove the wet bulb gauze and dry it; set the temperature to 25℃ and run the equipment unloaded for 2 hours to remove internal moisture; finally, disconnect the power supply, cover the equipment with a dust cover, and affix a "Discontinued" label to the control panel indicating the shutdown date.

Applications in the photovoltaic industry

Driven by the "dual carbon" goal, the photovoltaic (PV) industry has experienced explosive growth. From large-scale power plants in deserts and Gobi to distributed PV systems on city rooftops, every PV module shoulders the mission of converting solar energy into clean energy. However, the service environment for PV modules is far more demanding than imagined. For example, desert regions experience extreme temperature differences between day and night, high-altitude areas suffer from intense ultraviolet radiation and frigid temperatures, and coastal areas are characterized by humidity and salt spray. Extreme high and low temperature environments can easily lead to module aging, cell cracking, and performance degradation, directly affecting power generation efficiency and lifespan. High and low temperature test chambers, as "core equipment" for reliability testing in the PV industry, precisely replicate various extreme temperature and humidity scenarios to verify the weather resistance of modules in advance, mitigating outdoor service risks from the outset. They have become indispensable for the high-quality development of the PV industry.

For the PV industry, every step from R&D to mass production relies on the rigorous testing of high and low temperature test chambers. During the R&D phase, researchers use these chambers to simulate the extreme weather conditions that products may experience. By repeatedly testing product performance, they optimize material formulations and encapsulation processes, ensuring that modules maintain structural stability even under drastic temperature changes. For example, in low-temperature environments, if the encapsulating film inside the module lacks sufficient toughness, it is prone to brittleness and cracking, allowing moisture to seep in; high-temperature environments may accelerate the aging and yellowing of the film, reducing light transmittance. High and low temperature cycling tests can accurately identify these potential problems, driving the iterative upgrade of module technology.

After entering the mass production stage, the high and low temperature test chamber becomes the "first line of defense" for quality control. According to regulations, each batch of photovoltaic modules must undergo rigorous high and low temperature cycling tests, constant temperature and humidity tests, and low-temperature freezing tests before leaving the factory. The high and low temperature test chamber can achieve precise temperature control with minimal temperature fluctuations and high humidity control accuracy, perfectly replicating the temperature change curves of extreme outdoor environments. Through repeated high and low temperature cycling shocks, unstable products are screened out, ensuring that every module leaving the factory can withstand harsh weather conditions and guaranteeing stable product operation.

Driven by the strong "dual carbon" goals, the photovoltaic industry continues to flourish, and high and low temperature humidity test chambers play an increasingly crucial and irreplaceable role. From assisting researchers in overcoming technical challenges and promoting product iteration and upgrades during the R&D stage, to strictly controlling quality and selecting high-performance modules during mass production, it consistently safeguards the reliability and stability of photovoltaic modules with its ability to accurately simulate extreme environments. It is foreseeable that as the photovoltaic industry continues to move towards higher quality and higher efficiency, high and low temperature humidity test chambers will also continue to be upgraded and optimized, providing solid support for the photovoltaic industry's steady progress in the global energy transition with more advanced technology and more precise testing, jointly writing a new chapter in the development of clean energy.

2025-11-21 15:26