In recent years, southeastern coastal regions of China have experienced frequent typhoon impacts, with severe weather conditions causing substantial economic losses to local production and daily life. Climate change has led to an increased occurrence of high-intensity typhoons and strong convective weather events, resulting in multiple incidents of photovoltaic (PV) power station structural failures, module overturning, and component degradation due to “hidden cracks.” Compounded by trends such as increasing module size and cost optimization pressures, the mechanical load resistance and long-term reliability of PV modules are facing growing challenges. As a result, compliance with dynamic load standards has become critical for ensuring the long-term safety and performance of solar installations.
Currently, the operational environments for PV power stations in high-wind regions are becoming increasingly diverse and complex, ranging from coastal typhoon-prone zones to inland wind corridors, each presenting distinct climatic conditions. Under the existing IEC 61215 standard—specifying a test condition of ±1000 Pa for 1,000 cycles—the wind resistance capability of PV modules corresponds approximately to a wind speed of 130 km/h (36.1 m/s), equivalent to a Category 12 typhoon on the Saffir-Simpson scale. However, in actual typhoon events, maximum sustained winds near the storm center can reach Categories 14–15. Consequently, current testing protocols fall short in replicating real-world dynamic wind fatigue and wind-vibration coupling effects. Even modules that pass IEC certification may still suffer damage under extreme wind conditions.
Furthermore, the static and conventional dynamic tests defined in IEC standards serve only as a basic preliminary screening mechanism and do not adequately simulate the cumulative fatigue effects induced by prolonged exposure to strong winds over a module’s entire service life. These tests involve relatively low stress levels and limited cycle counts, failing to account for extreme wind loads and long-term durability requirements over a 25-year or longer operational lifespan. This gap introduces potential quality risks that may compromise the safe and reliable operation of PV systems throughout their lifecycle, ultimately affecting end-user value and return on investment.
Given the variability of wind conditions across different geographic regions, there is an urgent need to enhance the load-bearing capacity of PV modules. The traditional concept of a single “wind resistance standard” is no longer sufficient to ensure safe deployment across diverse application scenarios. Instead, module load ratings should be further differentiated based on specific environmental conditions and regional risk profiles.
Internationally, countries including the United States, European nations, and Japan have implemented more stringent dynamic load requirements for high-wind areas. For example, the UL certification system in the U.S. recommends additional testing parameters of ±1500 Pa for 10,000 cycles for regions such as Florida and the Gulf Coast, where typhoon-level winds frequently occur. Similarly, TÜV Rheinland’s Extended Reliability Testing (ERT) program includes enhanced dynamic load tests—such as ±1600 Pa for 12,000 cycles—designed for use in storm-prone and high-wind regions like the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts within Europe. Empirical evidence indicates that adopting elevated dynamic load standards—typically ±1500 Pa for 10,000 cycles—in these regions has significantly reduced field failure and damage rates, thereby improving the overall operational safety and longevity of PV installations.
In today’s volatile global climate context, the dynamic load resilience of PV modules is no longer an optional technical attribute but a fundamental determinant of plant safety and lifetime financial performance. To meet the evolving demands of the industry, continuous technological innovation and progressive enhancement of international standards are essential. Only through comprehensive improvements in product quality and testing rigor can PV power stations maintain structural integrity and operational reliability in unpredictable environments, thereby delivering consistent, long-term value to end customers.
Post time: Oct-28-2025