prEN IEC 61853-3:2026

The IEC 61853 series establishes IEC requirements for evaluating PV module performance based on power (watts), energy (joule or watthours) and performance ratio. It is written to be applicable to all PV technologies and module designs, including bifacial PV modules, but can be unsuitable for any technology where the module performance changes gradually with time (e.g. modules change their behaviour depending on cumulative light or high temperature exposure), or which experience significant non-linearities in any of their characteristics used for the modelling.
The purpose of this third part of IEC 61853 is to define a methodology to determine the photovoltaic (PV) module energy output (watt-hours), and the Climate-Specific Energy Rating (CSER, dimensionless) for a complete year at maximum power operation for the reference climate profile(s) given in IEC 61853-4. It is applied to determine a specific module output in a standard reference climate profile for the purposes of comparison of rated modules.
PV modules designed for vehicle-integrated applications (VIPV), building-integrated PV (BIPV), and floating PV systems may experience highly site-specific thermal effects that are not adequately captured by this methodology. In addition, certain anti-glare treatments and curved module designs can introduce increased uncertainty.
This is the second edition of the IEC 61853-3 standard. It is not compatible with the first editions of IEC 61853-1, IEC 61853-2 and IEC 61853-4.