Atlas Adds Coastal/Marine Option to the Atlas 25PLUS™ PV Module Durability Test Program
April 6, 2010, Chicago, IL —
In response to customer feedback on evaluating the effects of salt corrosion on photovoltaic modules used in seaside installations and marine applications, Atlas Material Testing Technology has added a coastal/marine test option to the Atlas 25PLUS PV Module Durability Testing Program. This new option may be added to either the standard “Global Composite” or “Tropical/ Sub-Tropical” climate tracks of the test program.
The coastal/marine option adds an additional PV module to the standard test program and extends the total test time from twelve to thirteen months. The additional module is exposed at the Atlas sub-tropical, South Florida test site where standardized synthetic seawater is applied via spray five days a week to the front and back of a near-horizontal module. Furthermore, the laboratory accelerated aged module from the standard 25Plus program undergoes an additional final month of salt fog and condensing humidity chamber exposure. These added stresses provide data on the effects of saltwater exposure on both new and severely weather-aged modules for data comparison to the non-saltwater exposed performance.
Atlas will introduce the following new test enhancements to the Atlas 25Plus program in 2010:
• Accelerated dust/dirt pickup and retention
• Mold and mildew growth
• Other secondary environmental stress factors such as urban/industrial soot and pollution
Atlas can custom design or modify outdoor or laboratory based tests to meet specific client objectives and requirements.
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