Development of standardisation methods for eco-design and energy labelling of photovoltaic products

Development of standardisation methods for eco-design and energy labelling of photovoltaic products

Introductory remarks

The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) has commissioned a study for the development of standardisation methods for eco-design and energy labelling of photovoltaic products.

This thorough study is being conducted by the National Renewable Energy Centre of Spain (CENER), in collaboration with TÜV Rheinland Italia SRL and the German National Metrology Institute (PTB). CENER is the appointed leader of the Contractor, while CINEA is the Contracting Authority.

Furthermore, the study is supported by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) and the Directorate General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD).

The service contract CINEA/2023/OP/0009/SI2.908958 between the CINEA (Contracting Authority) and the Contractor constituted by CENER, TÜV Rheinland Italia and PTB, entitled “Development of standardisation methods for eco-design and energy labelling of photovoltaic products”, entered into force on December 19th 2023. The maximum duration is three years; thus it is expected to finalize on November 19th 2026.

Objectives

The objective of the related study is twofold.

  • On the one hand, a standardisation method for the calculation and testing of the energy yield of bifacial PV modules has to be developed.
  • While, on the other hand, a standardisation method for the measurement and testing of the long-term degradation of the PV modules’ performance has to be proposed.

Both standardised (pre-normative) methods could potentially be used within the ecodesign and energy label measures on PV modules, which are expected to be adopted by the European Commission during the third quarter of 2024, contributing to the EU’s on-going efforts for the implementation of measures in the framework of the Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC) and the labelling schemes in the framework of the Energy Labelling Regulation ((EU) 2017/1369) for photovoltaic (PV) products.

 

Methodology

The development of both methodologies involves both simulation activities and experimental analysis and PV module testing activities. The latter include detailed characterization of bifacial devices for their performance estimation, and the definition and validation of accelerated stress tests to simulate the long-term degradation of PV modules.

The scope of the study includes PV modules representative of product designs and technologies available at present in the EU market, including as well those expected to be placed on the EU market within the next five years.

 

Indicative timeline

The tentative milestones relevant for the stakeholders are:

  • April 2024: First stakeholder meeting. Please register here.
  • Spring 2025: Second stakeholder meeting.
  • Spring 2026: Final reports on the conclusions of the modelling and testing activities.
  • Summer 2026: Third stakeholder meeting.
  • Autumn 2026: Publication of the final report and end of study.

 

Additional remarks

This website is intended as the primary communication channel between the Contractor and the stakeholders. All the consultation documents and deliverables prepared in the framework of this study will be made available through this website. In order to receive updates and invitations to the stakeholder meetings, please register here.

All the information and views expressed in this study are those of the Contractor and do not necessarily represent the official opinion of CINEA or the aforementioned European Commission’s DGs. For further information, please refer to the Disclaimer and Copyright section of this website.