With the growing global demand for renewable energy, the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry is witnessing unprecedented growth opportunities. Against this backdrop, it has become crucial to ensure the safety and reliability of PV modules, and the IEC 61730 standard has emerged to provide comprehensive safety requirements and test procedures for PV modules to guarantee their safe operation in a variety of environments and conditions.The IEC 61730 standard is divided into two parts: IEC 61730-1 and IEC 61730-2. (IEC 61730 testing sequence diagram is shown in the figure)

This part of IEC 61730-1 describes the requirements for the construction of photovoltaic (PV) modules to ensure that they provide safe electrical and mechanical operation during their expected lifetime. Key updates include well-defined insulation requirements based on material properties, material groups, mounting locations and mounting types, as well as glued joint concepts, overvoltage categories, system voltage classes and means of protection used to maintain the insulation requirements, as well as requirements for certification of the modules.This part of IEC 61730-2 provides test sequences designed to validate the safety of PV modules that have been constructed in a manner that has passed the IEC 61730 Part 1 assessment. This version of the standard contains more than 20 significant technical changes from the previous version, including updated test sequences that now require a minimum of nine PV modules and one unframed PV module.

The main purposes of the test include：

1. Guaranteeing personal safety: A series of electrical and mechanical tests are conducted to ensure that PV modules will not cause harm to operators or end-users under normal and abnormal conditions. For example, in the electrical insulation test, the module is subjected to a high voltage to simulate an electrical shock under extreme conditions, thus ensuring that no dangerous leakage occurs in actual use.

2. Improve product quality: Through rigorous standardized testing, the overall quality and performance of PV modules are enhanced to extend their lifespan. This is not only a matter of the manufacturer's reputation, but also a sign of responsibility to consumers. An IEC 61730 certified PV module means that it has passed a number of rigorous tests, including thermal cycling tests, proving its stability under extreme temperature changes.

3. Promoting international trade: IEC 61730, as an international standard, helps eliminate trade barriers and promotes the free trade of PV modules worldwide. This not only provides a platform for manufacturers from different countries to compete fairly, but also brings more high-quality choices to consumers around the world.

PV modules undergo a series of tests including：

- Electrical Insulation Test: Ensures that components do not short-circuit or leak at high voltages. This test simulates the response of the component under severe weather conditions, such as a lightning strike or equipment failure, to ensure that it does not pose a hazard to personnel or equipment.

- Wet Leakage Current Test: Simulates severe weather conditions to check the water resistance of the component. During the test, the component is placed in a high humidity environment to evaluate its performance under prolonged exposure to rain or humidity.

- Mechanical Load Test: Simulates wind and snow pressure to ensure the structural robustness of the module. This test verifies the structural strength and durability of the module by applying forces equivalent to those found in extreme weather conditions.

- Thermal Cycling Test: Simulates temperature changes to check the thermal stability of the module. By cycling between high and low temperatures, the module's materials and structure are tested for their ability to withstand long-term temperature fluctuations without damage.

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