IEC 60904-2:2023

Overview - IEC 60904-2:2023 (Photovoltaic reference devices)

IEC 60904-2:2023 specifies requirements for the classification, selection, packaging, marking, calibration and care of photovoltaic (PV) reference devices used to measure irradiance from natural or simulated sunlight. This fourth edition replaces IEC 60904-2:2015 and explicitly adds calibration traceability requirements. The standard applies to reference cells, modules and arrays used to quantify electrical performance of PV devices under normal (non-concentrated) sunlight conditions. It does not cover reference devices for concentrated sunlight.

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard defines mandatory technical areas and test procedures for PV reference devices, including:

• Classification and selection
  • Definitions for primary, secondary and working reference devices and their intended roles in calibration chains.
• Calibration and calibration traceability
  • Requirements to tie calibration values to SI units via documented, unbroken traceability chains (see IEC 60904-4 for traceability procedures).
  • New procedures for calibrating PV devices at maximum power (added to Clauses 12 and 13).
• Spectral responsivity, temperature coefficients and linearity
  • Revised rules on when these measurements are mandatory; allows some measurements on equivalent devices.
• Built-in shunt resistor
  • Updated requirements for devices that include internal shunt resistors.
• Usage, care, packaging and marking
  • Recommended packaging for natural and simulated sunlight use, marking and documentation requirements.
• Measurement clauses
  • Temperature measurement, electrical connections, and test procedures for calibrating secondary and working references (Clauses 7, 12–14).

Applications - who uses IEC 60904-2

IEC 60904-2 is essential for:

• PV calibration and testing laboratories establishing irradiance reference standards.
• Solar simulator manufacturers and test facilities setting and verifying simulator irradiance.
• PV module and cell manufacturers conducting performance measurements and quality control.
• Certification bodies and conformity assessment organizations ensuring consistent irradiance measurement practices.
• Research institutions performing inter-laboratory comparisons and traceable PV measurements.

Using this standard helps ensure reliable irradiance measurements, consistent I‑V and power testing, and validated calibration chains for accurate PV performance characterization.

Related standards

IEC 60904-2 is part of the IEC 60904 series. Closely related documents include:

• IEC 60904-1, -3, -4, -5, -7, -8, -9, -10 (measurement principles, traceability, spectral responsivity, solar simulator performance, linearity)
• IEC TS 61836 (terms, definitions, symbols)

Keywords: IEC 60904-2:2023, photovoltaic reference devices, PV reference devices, calibration traceability, spectral responsivity, solar simulator, irradiance measurement, reference cell.