By Kari Williamson

The test came into effect in December 2011 as the IEC standard 61701: 2011 Ed.2, and Schott received the official certificate from TÜV Rheinland at the end of February.

Schott Solar now plans to submit a declaration of identical construction for other models.

“This issue is obviously particularly important for modules that are to be installed in coastal areas. Nevertheless, air can contain salt even further inland. The remains it leaves behind on the modules can cause corrosive damages after it rains again. The TÜV Rheinland test has confirmed that this is not the case with Schott Solar modules,” says Christina Thiemann, Product Marketing Manager for Schott Solar.

Level 6 is unique in that it calls for solar PV modules to be subjected to 8 test cycles in 56 days, where the solar PV modules are sprayed with salt water for two hours at a time, then attacked by a 5% sodium chloride solution and finally stored at 40°C and 93% humidity for 20 hours.