The Laboratory of Photovoltaic Systems (LSF) linked to the Institute of Energy and Environment (IEE) from the University of São Paulo (USP) performs tests on Grid-tie inverters according to the requirements of INMETRO ordinance 004/2011 and 357/2014,  which estimates the equipment performance under both rated and extreme operating conditions to ensure that they have a minimum quality guaranteed.

 

In order to request the inverter certification test, the technical specification sheet (PET- grid -tie inverter) and the labeling request application form must be submitted in electronic format (pdf) fully filled and signed to fotovoltaico@iee.usp.br. The tests and sending of equipment shall be scheduled using the fotovoltaico@iee.usp.br address.

 

The tests require two samples of each inverter to be certified. The supplier is responsible for the delivery of the samples to the laboratory. The testing costs of each model are R$ 15000 (fifthteen thousand Brazilian reais). This value includes all the tests required by the INMETRO. The costs associated with the product’s registration on the INMETRO and all the logistics necessary for the delivery and recollection of inverters in the laboratory are responsibilities of the company. After testing, the IEE-USP sends a charging notice (bill) to the company.

 

Below are listed the types of grid-connect inverter tests:

1. Scintillation

2. DC component injection

3. Harmonics and waveform distortion

4. Power factor

5. Reactive power injection/demand

6. Over/under voltage

7. Over/under frequency

8. Active power control under over frequency

9. Reconnection

10. Out-of-phase reclosing

11. Active power modulation

12. Reactive power modulation

13. GCPV disconnection

14. Undervoltage supportability requirements due to grid faults

15. Efficiency

16. Protection against polarity inversion

17. Overload

18. Anti-islanding protection

The tests 1 to 14 are developed according to ABNT NBR PN 03:082.01-001 and PN 03:082.01-003 standards

The test 18 is developed according to ABNT NBR IEC 62116 standard.

Important:

The register of the product in INMETRO expires in 1 (one) year. The company must perform new tests in a laboratory accredited by INMETRO every year to keep the labeling of a particular model.

The report emitted by the laboratory accredited by INMETRO also expires in 1 (one) year. It is recommended that the company registers the product in INMETRO’s ORQUESTRA systems immediately after receiving the test report.