Demand\u00a0for\u00a0solar power\u00a0continues\u00a0to\u00a0rise\u00a0steadily. Even the\u00a0currently ongoing\u00a0global\u00a0pandemic\u00a0 cannot\u00a0stop\u00a0this\u00a0demand. This\u00a0growth\u00a0poses\u00a0numerous\u00a0challenges\u00a0for\u00a0manufacturers. These\u00a0 include\u00a0a\u00a0degradation\u00a0rate\u00a0of\u00a0>15%\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0individual\u00a0elements\u00a0within\u00a0the\u00a0modules,\u00a0as\u00a0measured\u00a0by\u00a0PVEL, at a\u00a0current\u00a0rate of\u00a0100\u00a0million\u00a0soldered\u00a0 cells\u00a0per day.\u00a0 However,\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0able\u00a0to\u00a0 combat climate change, at least 1\u00a0billion\u00a0cells\u00a0per\u00a0day\u00a0must\u00a0be\u00a0achieved. After\u00a0numerous\u00a0tests,\u00a0 it\u00a0 was determined\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0degradation\u00a0rate\u00a0for\u00a0modules\u00a0that\u00a0have\u00a0been\u00a0in\u00a0operation\u00a0for\u00a0only\u00a05\u00a0years,\u00a0for\u00a0example, and\u00a0have\u00a0also\u00a0been\u00a0exposed\u00a0to\u00a0particularly\u00a0high\u00a0heat, is higher\u00a0on\u00a0average\u00a0 than\u00a0for\u00a0older modules\u00a0in cooler\u00a0regions.\u00a0Exawatt, a\u00a0market\u00a0intelligence\u00a0provider\u00a0and\u00a0partner\u00a0 of\u00a0 PVEL, forecasts that more\u00a0than\u00a0100 GW\u00a0of\u00a0new\u00a0module\u00a0production\u00a0capacity\u00a0will\u00a0come\u00a0online\u00a0 by\u00a0the\u00a0end\u00a0of\u00a02021. According\u00a0to\u00a0PVEL, a\u00a0particularly\u00a0big\u00a0challenge\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0not\u00a0to\u00a0neglect\u00a0 product\u00a0quality\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0long run, while manufacturers\u00a0work\u00a0on\u00a0various\u00a0innovations\u00a0to\u00a0avoid\u00a0supply\u00a0bottlenecks, for\u00a0example. It\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0assumed\u00a0that,\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0rule,\u00a0new\u00a0products\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0manufactured\u00a0in brand-new\u00a0factories. Here,\u00a0bills\u00a0of\u00a0materials\u00a0(BOMs)\u00a0are\u00a0often\u00a0passed\u00a0on\u00a0unchecked,\u00a0which\u00a0 can\u00a0have\u00a0significant financial\u00a0and\u00a0safety\u00a0consequences\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0field.\u00a0One\u00a0particularly\u00a0common\u00a0error\u00a0is\u00a0complete\u00a0equipment\u00a0failure. Twenty six\u00a0 percent\u00a0 of\u00a0 the\u00a0 BOMs\u00a0 tested\u00a0 for\u00a0 this\u00a0 year’s\u00a0 scorecard\u00a0had\u00a0at least\u00a0 one\u00a0 failure.\u00a0 One\u00a0 in\u00a0 three\u00a0 manufacturers\u00a0 experienced\u00a0 a\u00a0 junction\u00a0 box\u00a0 failure\u00a0of\u00a0this\u00a0type. Here,\u00a0 most\u00a0 of\u00a0 the\u00a0 failures\u00a0 occurred\u00a0 before\u00a0 testing\u00a0 began.\u00a0 Troubling\u00a0 junction\u00a0box\u00a0issues were\u00a0first identified\u00a0by\u00a0PVEL in 2018.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following chart gives you an overview of the most common failure modes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n PVEL\u00a0established\u00a0a\u00a0Product\u00a0Qualification\u00a0Program\u00a0(PQP)\u00a0for\u00a0PV\u00a0modules\u00a0in 2012,\u00a0which\u00a0provides\u00a0 independent\u00a0reliability\u00a0and\u00a0performance\u00a0data\u00a0through\u00a0numerous\u00a0testing\u00a0procedures. In addition, this\u00a0program\u00a0recognizes\u00a0individual\u00a0manufacturers\u00a0with\u00a0particularly\u00a0outstanding\u00a0test results. The results are\u00a0presented\u00a0in so-called\u00a0scorecard\u00a0rankings. In contrast to previous editions, the rankings for 2021 contain considerably more field data that combine laboratory tests with real project\u00a0applications.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Within\u00a0the\u00a0product\u00a0qualification\u00a0program,\u00a0auditors\u00a0check\u00a0the\u00a0production\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0submitted\u00a0modules. The\u00a0respective\u00a0parts\u00a0lists\u00a0are\u00a0also\u00a0checked\u00a0here. After\u00a0shipping, PVEL measures the power output and\u00a0assesses\u00a0the\u00a0physical\u00a0condition\u00a0of\u00a0each\u00a0module\u00a0before\u00a0advanced\u00a0reliability\u00a0and\u00a0performance testing\u00a0can\u00a0be\u00a0performed. The\u00a0following\u00a0table\u00a0summarizes\u00a0the\u00a04 essential procedures within the PQP.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2021\u00a0Scorecard\u00a0serves\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0safeguard\u00a0for\u00a0developers,\u00a0investors, and system owners against inadequate\u00a0project\u00a0performance. This\u00a0summary\u00a0is\u00a0designed\u00a0to\u00a0encourage\u00a0solar\u00a0deployment\u00a0and support\u00a0the\u00a0development\u00a0of\u00a0reliable,\u00a0financeable\u00a0solar\u00a0projects.\u00a0It\u00a0shows\u00a0the\u00a0top\u00a0performers\u00a0for\u00a0six\u00a0PQP\u00a0test\u00a0categories. These\u00a0performers\u00a0are\u00a0listed\u00a0by\u00a0model\u00a0type and manufacturer in alphabetical order. To\u00a0be\u00a0eligible\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0scorecard,\u00a0manufacturers\u00a0must\u00a0meet\u00a0several\u00a0criteria. These include, for\u00a0example, submitting\u00a0at least\u00a0two\u00a0factory-tested\u00a0PV\u00a0module\u00a0samples\u00a0per\u00a0test\u00a0sequence. Bills of\u00a0materials\u00a0for\u00a0all\u00a0test\u00a0sequences\u00a0within\u00a0PQP1\u00a0must\u00a0also\u00a0be\u00a0complete.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n To\u00a0be\u00a0among\u00a0the\u00a0top\u00a0performers,\u00a0companies\u00a0must\u00a0have\u00a0a\u00a0degradation\u00a0rate\u00a0of\u00a0less\u00a0than\u00a02% after each\u00a0reliability\u00a0sequence.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In\u00a0order\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0able\u00a0to\u00a0check\u00a0the\u00a0reliability\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0individual\u00a0modules, a number of tests were carried out. One\u00a0of\u00a0these\u00a0is\u00a0thermal\u00a0cycling\u00a0(TC). This\u00a0humidity-heat test\u00a0replicates degradation\u00a0and\u00a0failure mechanisms\u00a0that\u00a0can\u00a0occur\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0field.\u00a0It\u00a0exposes\u00a0the\u00a0modules\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0constant\u00a0temperature\u00a0of\u00a085 \u00b0C and relative\u00a0humidity\u00a0of\u00a085 % in a\u00a0climate\u00a0chamber\u00a0for\u00a0a total\u00a0of\u00a0two\u00a0times 1,000\u00a0hours\u00a0–\u00a0twice as long as\u00a0required\u00a0for\u00a0IEC\u00a0certification. The\u00a0combination\u00a0of\u00a0high\u00a0heat\u00a0and\u00a0intense\u00a0humidity\u00a0stresses the\u00a0PV\u00a0module\u00a0layers. Here,\u00a0monocrystalline\u00a0wafers\u00a0and\u00a0cells\u00a0with\u00a0passivated\u00a0emitter\u00a0and back contacts\u00a0(PERC)\u00a0show\u00a0stronger\u00a0TC\u00a0performance\u00a0than\u00a0multicrystalline\u00a0wafers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n For\u00a0multi-busbar\u00a0(MBB)\u00a0modules,\u00a0improper\u00a0soldering\u00a0can\u00a0lead\u00a0to\u00a0poor\u00a0TC\u00a0results.\u00a0Three-busbar, four-busbar, and\u00a0five-busbar\u00a0modules\u00a0have\u00a0performed\u00a0better\u00a0on\u00a0average\u00a0in TC\u00a0than\u00a0MBB\u00a0modules to\u00a0date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In\u00a0addition, TC\u00a0results\u00a0for\u00a0bifacial\u00a0modules\u00a0showed\u00a0that\u00a0both\u00a0glass\/glass\u00a0and\u00a0glass\/rear modules achieved the\u00a0top\u00a0performer\u00a0status,\u00a0with\u00a0front and\u00a0rear\u00a0performance\u00a0drops\u00a0similar\u00a0to\u00a0the performance drop. In\u00a0general,\u00a0micro-cracks\u00a0can\u00a0form in PV\u00a0cells\u00a0under\u00a0excessive\u00a0thermal and mechanical stress.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The following influences can cause damage to individual modules: <\/p>\n\n\n\n When\u00a0cracks\u00a0restrict\u00a0the\u00a0flow\u00a0of\u00a0electricity\u00a0through\u00a0the\u00a0cell,\u00a0modules\u00a0can\u00a0produce\u00a0less\u00a0energy.\u00a0Theycan also\u00a0create\u00a0hotspots\u00a0and\u00a0pose\u00a0safety\u00a0risks.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In\u00a0addition\u00a0to\u00a0thermal\u00a0cycling,\u00a0tests\u00a0that\u00a0measure\u00a0potential-induced\u00a0power (PID)\u00a0degradation\u00a0in crystalline\u00a0photovoltaic\u00a0modules\u00a0include. This\u00a0degradation\u00a0can\u00a0occur\u00a0within\u00a0weeks\u00a0or\u00a0even\u00a0days after different\u00a0modules\u00a0are\u00a0put\u00a0into\u00a0operation.\u00a0It\u00a0occurs\u00a0primarily\u00a0when\u00a0the\u00a0internal PV\u00a0circuit is negatively\u00a0biased\u00a0with\u00a0respect\u00a0to\u00a0ground.\u00a0Within\u00a0the\u00a0tests\u00a0performed\u00a0by\u00a0PVEL,\u00a0the\u00a0module\u00a0is\u00a0placed\u00a0in a\u00a0climate\u00a0chamber. In\u00a0this\u00a0climatic\u00a0chamber,\u00a0the\u00a0bias\u00a0voltage\u00a0is\u00a0applied\u00a0equal\u00a0to\u00a0the maximum system\u00a0voltage\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0module\u00a0(-1000 V\u00a0or\u00a0-1500 V) at 85 \u00b0C and 85% relative\u00a0humidity\u00a0for\u00a0two cycles of\u00a096\u00a0hours. These\u00a0temperature,\u00a0humidity, and\u00a0bias\u00a0conditions\u00a0help\u00a0evaluate\u00a0potential deterioration\u00a0and failure\u00a0mechanisms\u00a0associated\u00a0with\u00a0elevated\u00a0leakage\u00a0currents.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further\u00a0tests\u00a0by\u00a0PVEL deal\u00a0with\u00a0light-induced\u00a0degradation\u00a0(LID). LID\u00a0generally\u00a0refers\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0rapid power\u00a0loss\u00a0caused\u00a0by\u00a0unstable\u00a0boron-oxygen compounds. This power\u00a0loss\u00a0occurs\u00a0when\u00a0p-type\u00a0crystalline\u00a0modules\u00a0are\u00a0first\u00a0exposed\u00a0to\u00a0sunlight.\u00a0Within\u00a0the\u00a0PQP, a total\u00a0of\u00a017\u00a0samples\u00a0will\u00a0be tested for\u00a0this\u00a0power\u00a0loss. All\u00a0modules\u00a0are\u00a0placed\u00a0outdoors\u00a0and\u00a0connected\u00a0to\u00a0an\u00a0inverter\u00a0to operate at\u00a0the\u00a0maximum power\u00a0point.\u00a0Meanwhile,\u00a0they\u00a0are\u00a0exposed\u00a0to\u00a0immense light\u00a0irradiation and\u00a0lightning\u00a0tests. This\u00a0is\u00a0done\u00a0until\u00a0stability\u00a0is\u00a0achieved\u00a0according\u00a0to\u00a0IEC 61215:2016. To\u00a0measure the\u00a0degradation\u00a0(LETID),\u00a0two\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0post-LID\u00a0modules\u00a0are\u00a0placed\u00a0in a\u00a0climate chamber at 75 \u00b0C\u00a0while\u00a0connected\u00a0to\u00a0a power\u00a0supply. Here,\u00a0they\u00a0are\u00a0injected\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0low\u00a0current\u00a0for\u00a0486 hours, with\u00a0characterization\u00a0every\u00a0162\u00a0hours. This\u00a0simulates\u00a0module\u00a0operation at\u00a0full\u00a0solar irradiance and at maximum power. The\u00a0test\u00a0conditions\u00a0are\u00a0designed\u00a0to\u00a0slowly\u00a0approach maximum degradation\u00a0to\u00a0avoid\u00a0triggering\u00a0additional\u00a0degradation\u00a0mechanisms.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n To\u00a0make\u00a0predictions\u00a0about\u00a0the\u00a0performance\u00a0of\u00a0PV\u00a0projects, PVEL\u00a0uses\u00a0the\u00a0industry-standard modeling\u00a0program\u00a0PVsyst. Here, PAN\u00a0files\u00a0model\u00a0the\u00a0irradiance- and\u00a0temperature-dependent behavior\u00a0of\u00a0PV\u00a0modules.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The program tests three identical PV modules over a matrix of IEC 61853-1 operating conditions, ranging in irradiance from 100 W\/m2 to 1100 W\/m2 and temperature from 15 \u00b0C to 75 \u00b0C. A user-defined PAN file is then created using PVsyst’s model parameters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To better illustrate the performance of optimized PAN files, each PAN report includes two site simulation results: a 1 MW site in a temperate climate at 0\u00b0 slope (in Boston, USA) and a 1 MW site in a desert climate at 20\u00b0 slope (in Las Vegas, USA). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Widespread\u00a0reports\u00a0of\u00a0backsheet\u00a0failures\u00a0in\u00a0field\u00a0modules\u00a0have\u00a0led\u00a0PVEL\u00a0to\u00a0introduce\u00a0the\u00a0Backsheet\u00a0Durability\u00a0Sequence\u00a0(BDS)\u00a0within\u00a0the\u00a0PQP. Here,\u00a0participants\u00a0must\u00a0select\u00a0which\u00a0BOMs\u00a0are relevant to\u00a0this\u00a0test. Additionally,\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0important\u00a0to\u00a0note\u00a0that\u00a0less\u00a0than\u00a010%\u00a0of\u00a0commercially available\u00a0backsheet\u00a0models\u00a0have\u00a0completed\u00a0the\u00a0BDS\u00a0testing. After\u00a0the\u00a0module\u00a0certification test, manufacturers\u00a0are\u00a0free\u00a0to\u00a0use\u00a0any\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0100+ back\u00a0models\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0market\u00a0in\u00a0commercially available\u00a0products.\u00a0Some\u00a0will\u00a0suffer\u00a0failures, and\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0well\u00a0documented\u00a0that\u00a0certification\u00a0tests\u00a0do not\u00a0identify\u00a0failure-prone\u00a0backsheets.\u00a0Specifying\u00a0PQP-tested\u00a0BOMs\u00a0with\u00a0strong BDS\u00a0results helps ensure\u00a0that\u00a0backsheets\u00a0and\u00a0modules\u00a0perform\u00a0as\u00a0expected.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n After\u00a0numerous\u00a0tests, PVEL\u00a0recognizes\u00a0manufacturers\u00a0that\u00a0meet\u00a0all\u00a0expectations\u00a0as\u00a0Top Performers. The\u00a0following\u00a0tabular\u00a0listing\u00a0shows\u00a0the\u00a0Top Performers and\u00a0their\u00a0respective performance histories\u00a0from\u00a0PVEL’s\u00a0first\u00a0scorecard\u00a0in 2014\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0present. Manufacturers\u00a0are listed\u00a0alphabetically\u00a0by\u00a0the\u00a0number\u00a0of\u00a0years\u00a0they\u00a0have\u00a0been\u00a0recognized\u00a0as\u00a0a top\u00a0performer.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Advancing\u00a0climate\u00a0change\u00a0is\u00a0forcing\u00a0some\u00a0companies\u00a0to\u00a0set\u00a0new\u00a0goals\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0able\u00a0to\u00a0generate\u00a0renewable\u00a0energy.\u00a0For\u00a0this\u00a0reason, solar power will\u00a0continue\u00a0to\u00a0maintain\u00a0its\u00a0relevance\u00a0and thus grow steadilyin\u00a0the\u00a0coming\u00a0years.\u00a0However,\u00a0every\u00a0growth\u00a0also\u00a0involves\u00a0risks.\u00a0Especially\u00a0when\u00a0rapid\u00a0 growth\u00a0takes\u00a0place.\u00a0Manufacturers\u00a0have\u00a0to\u00a0react\u00a0and\u00a0thus\u00a0produce\u00a0products\u00a0as\u00a0quickly\u00a0as\u00a0possible\u00a0using\u00a0a\u00a0wide\u00a0variety\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0latest\u00a0technology. As\u00a0we\u00a0have\u00a0discovered, errors\u00a0can\u00a0occur\u00a0at\u00a0various points\u00a0within\u00a0such\u00a0productions. In\u00a0order\u00a0to\u00a0keep\u00a0errors\u00a0as\u00a0small\u00a0as\u00a0possible, some\u00a0elaborate\u00a0tests must be\u00a0carried\u00a0out in\u00a0advance. In\u00a0most\u00a0cases,\u00a0manufacturers\u00a0lack\u00a0the\u00a0time and\u00a0capacity\u00a0to\u00a0carry out such\u00a0tests\u00a0or\u00a0inspections\u00a0properly.\u00a0PVEL’s\u00a0product\u00a0qualification program\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0good solution\u00a0to give customers\u00a0more\u00a0security\u00a0for\u00a0their\u00a0purchases.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.solartraders.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/image-59.png\")
PVEL’s product qualification program can prevent failures <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Empirical Data<\/strong> <\/td> No hand-picked samples<\/strong> <\/td> Standard samples<\/strong> <\/td> Regular program updates<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr> The PQP provides empirical\u00a0metrics\u00a0for\u00a0yield\u00a0and\u00a0energy\u00a0output\u00a0Modeling\u00a0<\/td> Auditors observe production of all test samples and check BOMs. <\/td> The PQP audits all bills of materials in the same\u00a0manner. This\u00a0is\u00a0done\u00a0using\u00a0 calibrated\u00a0 equipment and in\u00a0consistent\u00a0test\u00a0 environments.<\/td> Updates\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0test procedures\u00a0provide\u00a0 data\u00a0on\u00a0new\u00a0 technologies\u00a0and\u00a0 manufacturing\u00a0 techniques\u00a0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> Different\u00a0tests\u00a0within\u00a0the\u00a0program\u00a0lead\u00a0to\u00a0better\u00a0 reliability\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
PVEL\u00a0recognizes\u00a0manufacturers\u00a0who\u00a0have\u00a0demonstrated\u00a0a\u00a0commitment\u00a0to\u00a0product\u00a0quality\u00a0and reliability\u00a0and\u00a0have\u00a0achieved\u00a0Top Performer\u00a0status.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.solartraders.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/image-60.png\")
Conclusion <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
References<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n