#United States #Napa #Solar Industry #PV Modules #Kiwa PVEL

Overview of Kiwa PVEL's Updated Qualification Program

Kiwa PVEL, a prominent independent lab specializing in the reliability and quality assessment of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, recently unveiled a major update to its Product Qualification Program (PQP). This move is in direct response to escalating concerns within the solar industry, particularly regarding increased incidents of module failures attributed to spontaneous glass breakage, structural failures in frames, and severe hail-related damages.

Emphasizing Durability in Module Testing

The Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Kiwa PVEL, Tristan Erion-Lorico, highlighted a troubling trend where spontaneous glass breakages have become more frequent across the industry. As manufacturers shift towards larger and thinner modules, such breakage events underscore the necessity for more rigorous testing standards. The newly revised PQP addresses this by employing larger sample sizes and novel test-to-failure methodologies, significantly enhancing the assessment of module durability.

Innovative Test Protocols Introduced

A significant addition to the updated PQP is the implementation of test-to-failure (TTF) protocols, particularly for static mechanical load (SML) and hail testing. The new SML-TTF is designed to complement the existing Mechanical Stress Sequences (MSS). This improvement allows for a more detailed analysis of module designs, quantifying the primary failure mode and the maximum load each design can endure. This is crucial for ensuring that manufacturers have a clear understanding of their product's limits.

In line with these enhancements, the Hail-TTF protocol is set to replace the previous Hail Stress Sequence (HSS). This enhancement not only increases the sample size to five modules but also focuses testing on critical impact locations, such as edges and junction boxes, which are prone to breakage. By escalating hail diameters during testing until a failure is observed, Kiwa PVEL aims to offer solar buyers more precise breakage thresholds, establishing a clearer understanding of module resilience in challenging weather conditions.

Streamlined Production Processes

Kiwa PVEL is also revamping the PQP’s sample production witness process. By systematizing the verification of essential frame and glass dimensions at manufacturing sites, the lab aims to reduce uncertainties related to material inconsistencies. This means a more reliable quality assurance process for manufacturers, helping to mitigate risks and improve overall product reliability.

Addressing New Challenges in PV Technology

With n-type technologies gaining traction in the PV market, testing challenges have intensified due to measurement uncertainties arising from metastability mechanisms. Over the last few years, Kiwa PVEL has identified three types of metastability that could potentially skew post-test performance assessments:

• - Slow dark-storage degradation after Damp Heat testing.
• - Accelerated dark-storage degradation after UV exposure.
• - Recoverable PID-polarization degradation from voltage stress.

In response, the updated PQP has incorporated final stabilization processes, including light soaking under full-spectrum and UV light, following various testing conditions. These steps are crucial in ensuring that flash measurements taken post-testing provide a true reflection of module behavior under real-world conditions.

Additional Program Enhancements

The PQP is equipped with several key refinements that broaden its relevance for modern modules:

• - The reduction of light-induced degradation (LID) sample sizes from 17 to 10 modules, reflecting consistently low LID values observed in recent assessments.
• - Approval for pre-testing conditions such as current-induced preconditioning, offering improved testing speed and flexibility in scheduling.
• - Streamlined UVID sequencing to enhance efficiency, coupled with an option for increased exposure for modules susceptible to UVID.
• - New energy ratings adhering to the IEC 61853-3/4 methodology, promoting more accurate performance metrics.

Conclusion

Repeatedly evolving the PQP ensures its alignment with contemporary module technologies and their respective failure modes. Kevin Gibson, Managing Director at Kiwa PVEL, emphasized that these updates empower module manufacturers to confidently demonstrate their products' reliability and performance. Furthermore, they provide solar buyers with actionable and statistically sound information, crucial for informed procurement decisions. For an in-depth look at the PQP and its offerings, visit kiwa.com/pvel/pqpv12.

About Kiwa PVEL

Kiwa PVEL is recognized as a leader in reliability and performance testing for solar PV modules, providing valuable services to project developers, financiers, and asset owners globally. As part of the Kiwa Group, Kiwa PVEL plays a pivotal role in enhancing risk management, optimizing finance solutions, and improving performance throughout the solar project lifecycle. The PQP is globally acknowledged for substituting assumptions with measurable metrics, offering vital insights to stakeholders in the solar energy sector.