7th PVEL Scorecard Ranks 26 Module Manufacturers as Top Performers

May 27, 2021 10:06 AM ET
  • California-headquartered PV Evolution Labs (PVEL), an independent test laboratory for the downstream solar and also power storage space market, recently published its 2021 PV Module Reliability Scorecard, which names 117 design types of PV modules from 26 suppliers as Top Performers in PVEL's testing.

The 7th edition of the Scorecard praises the widespread fostering of technological developments that enhance PV module power result and also reduce the cost of solar power. Yet reliability issues may jeopardize these efficiency gains in the field: one in three participating suppliers fell short to execute basic quality assurance that protect end users from security failures.

Jenya Meydbray, PVEL CEO, stated, "An unmatched expansion of PV module manufacturing capability is underway," including, "The preventable safety failings observed in this year's Scorecard emphasize the complicated tests that producers encounter as they race to fulfill need in a highly vibrant global market."

The Scorecard supplies workable understandings for PV module purchase based upon information from PVEL's laboratory as well as field testing and study. It sums up results from the PV Module Item Credentials Program (PQP), a comprehensive testing regime developed by PVEL in 2012 to supply empirical data for PV module vendor benchmarking as well as project-level power return and monetary versions.

" As PV manufacturing capacity broadens, mega-scale, 100+ MW projects financed by risk-averse standard capitalists are the new standard. Yet the most cutting-edge technologies are unproven in the field. We trust PVEL for the technical information we need to de-risk Primergy's 2GW project pipeline," claimed Adam Larner, Principal Operating Officer of Primergy Solar, an entirely owned subsidiary of Quinbrook Facilities Partners, a global investment supervisor with $8B purchased 19GW of power generation.

Remarkable findings in the 2021 Scorecard consist of:

  • Twenty-six percent of the bills of product (BOMs) qualified for this year's Scorecard contended the very least one failing as contrasted to 20% in 2020.
  • One in 3 producers tested experienced safety and security failings due to junction box problems versus one in 5 in 2020. The majority of these failures were observed before testing.
  • 5 producers received their initial Top Performer listings in this year's Scorecard.
  • The report consists of 2 new Top Performer groups that showcase modules with exceptional lead to PVEL's mechanical tension sequence as well as very little vulnerability to light-induced deterioration and also light- as well as elevated- temperature induced deterioration.
  • The greatest number of failures occurred during the mechanical stress series, an examination PVEL lately added to the PQP to address sturdiness worries, specifically for extreme weather.

Engagement in PVEL's PQP and also Scorecard is volunteer for producers and only top-performing module version kinds are called in the Scorecard. To date, PVEL has actually checked over 450 BOMs from more than 50 makers for the PV Module PQP.


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