Kiwa PVEL Releases 2025 PV Module Reliability Scorecard
Kiwa PVEL has announced its 11th annual
PV Module Reliability Scorecard, a crucial assessment for the solar photovoltaic (PV) module industry. The report offers invaluable insights for stakeholders by shedding light on the testing processes conducted through Kiwa PVEL's renowned
Product Qualification Program (PQP). This program comprises a rigorous evaluation of solar modules under diverse environmental and mechanical conditions. Factors such as extreme temperatures, high humidity, mechanical stress, hail, and UV exposure are all taken into account to gauge module reliability effectively.
In this year’s report, Kiwa PVEL has recognized
50 manufacturers as Top Performers, with some achieving excellence across all seven test categories. Remarkably, only
21 model types reached or maintained Top Performer status under every reliability test, including
Thermal Cycling (TC),
Damp Heat (DH),
Mechanical Stress (MSS),
High-Slope Stress (HSS),
Potential Induced Degradation (PID), and
Light and Elevated Temperature Induced Degradation (LETID). Among these, just
three models performed exceptionally well, being noted as Top Performers in all areas.
The highlighted findings from the 2025 Scorecard indicate mixed trends: while some tests showed improvement, others raised concerns. Notably, the results from the
PID and
Potential Annual Degradation (PAN) tests saw positive trends, suggesting progress in technology and reliability. However, the module breakage rates related to Mechanical Stress Tests (MSS) and High-Slope Stress Tests (HSS) have alarmingly increased.
Furthermore, a significant
83% of manufacturers recorded at least one testing failure this year, a steep rise from
66% in 2024, suggesting a worrisome trend in module reliability.
“The rapid pace of innovation in the PV module landscape is encouraging,” stated Tristan Erion-Lorico, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Kiwa PVEL. “However, we urge buyers to be cautious. Not all modules are created the same, and our rigorous testing continues to reveal significant variations in performance and durability.”
The Scorecard remains a vital resource for procurement teams, enabling them to make informed, risk-conscious decisions when selecting solar modules for deployment. It provides a transparent framework that reveals the inconsistencies within the market, helping stakeholders navigate the often daunting choices available.
The full
2025 PV Module Reliability Scorecard is readily accessible online at
scorecard.pvel.com. Users can leverage the Top Performers tool to explore extensive test outcomes based on manufacturer, module type, or specific test category, enhancing the analysis capabilities for deeper insights.
Kevin Gibson, Managing Director at Kiwa PVEL, emphasized: “This year’s Scorecard illustrates the progress and hurdles within a dynamic PV module market. Although not every metric surpassed our benchmarks, many have demonstrated resilience amidst changing industry standards.”
For product eligibility in this year’s Scorecard, manufacturers were required to complete the PQP sample production factory witness post-October 1, 2023, and submit a minimum of two factory-witnessed PV module samples for all PQP reliability tests required by Kiwa PVEL.
At Kiwa PVEL, the commitment to high-quality testing has been unwavering for more than a decade. The organization stands as a beacon for reliability in the solar sector, consistently working to replace assumptions around performance with concrete data. For comprehensive development and maintenance of solar and energy storage systems, staying updated on such metrics is indispensable. Explore more at
kiwa.com/pvel and
kiwa.com/solar for detailed information on their services.
In summary, while there’s a notable number of manufacturers attaining Top Performer status, the critical need for consistent innovation and reliability in PV module production remains paramount. Stakeholders must stay informed and utilize tools like the Scorecard to enhance decision-making processes in the evolving solar energy landscape.