This European Standard specifies test methods for validating the durability, reliability and safety requirements for liquid heating collectors as specified in EN 12975-1. This standard also includes three test methods for the thermal performance characterization for liquid heating collectors.
It is not applicable to those collectors in which the thermal storage unit is an integral part of the collector to such an extent that the collection process cannot be separated from the storage process for the purpose of making measurements of these two processes.
It is not basically not applicable to tracking concentrating collectors, however thermal performance testing as given in 6.3 (quasi dynamic testing) is also applicable to most concentrating collector designs, from stationary non-imaging concentrators as CPCs to high concentrating tracking designs. Parts of the solar radiation measurement have to be adjusted in case of a tracking collector and in case a pyrheliometer is used to measure beam radiation.
Collectors that are custom built (built in; e.g. roof integrated collectors that do not compose of factory made modules and are assembled directly on the place of installation) cannot be tested in their actual form for durability, reliability and thermal performance according to this standard. Instead, a module with the same structure as the ready collector may be tested. The module gross area shall be at least 2 m.
BS EN 12975-2:2001 history
2013BS EN ISO 9806:2013 Solar energy. Solar thermal collectors. Test methods
2006BS EN 12975-2:2006 Thermal solar systems and components - Solar collectors - Test methods
2001BS EN 12975-2:2001 Thermal solar systems and components - Solar collectors - Test methods