Independent testing laboratory Kiwa PVEL today publishes the 10th edition of the “PV module reliability scorecard” report. The scorecard provides the solar industry with a comprehensive source of testing insights gained from Kiwa PVEL’s Product Qualification Program (PQP), a series of reliability and performance tests that analyze modules under a range of conditions, from temperature and humidity effects in thermal cycles and moisture heat to evaluating the impact of mechanical stress and hail.
In this 10th edition, Kiwa PVEL names a record 53 manufacturers and 388 model types as “Top Performers” in one or more tests, with eight manufacturers named as Top Performers in all categories. Relevant updates to this year’s scorecard include:
- A new Top Performer category for hail, highlighting modules that did not experience glass breakage in hail larger than 40mm.
- A higher bar for LID+LETID and PAN Top Performers, with a higher threshold for Top Performer qualification as technologies have improved.
- Better recognition of manufacturers who are top performers in multiple categories.
- Key insights into the impact of different cell technologies and module designs.
- The first deep dive into the test results of Kiwa PVEL’s Incidence Angle Modifier (IAM).
“Our 2024 Scorecard shows strong results from a diverse group of solar panel manufacturers, reflecting the excellence and growth we have seen in PV manufacturing in recent years,” said Kevin Gibson, Managing Director of Kiwa PVEL. “For more than a decade we have been testing assumptions about the reliability and performance of solar panels, continuing to refine our methodology as the industry continues to innovate with new technologies and module designs. We are proud to continue to set the bar high for manufacturers and provide downstream buyers with the critical information they need to make informed purchasing decisions.”
The full list of top performers is available on the site a searchable database, where results can be filtered by PQP test, manufacturer name, module type, cell technology and more.
“While we applaud the progress in production and the number of Top Performers named, we remind buyers to remain vigilant,” said Tristan Erion-Lorico, VP of sales and marketing at Kiwa PVEL. “We encourage them to explore each page of the scorecard to better understand the range of test results we see every day in Kiwa PVEL laboratories.”
To qualify for the 2024 Scorecard, manufacturers must have completed the PQP sample production factory witnessing and submitted at least two factory observed PV module samples to all PQP reliability testing after October 1, 2022, according to Kiwa PVEL’s BOM testing requirements.
News item from Kiwa PVEL