The eighth edition of the PV Module Reliability Scorecard from PVEL was released today. The 2022 edition names 122 models of solar PV modules from 25 manufacturers as top performers in PVEL’s testing.
Solar panel models are voluntarily submitted by manufacturers, and only top-performing types are named in the scorecard. To date, PVEL has tested over 500 bills of material from more than 50 manufacturers for the PV Module Product Qualification Program (PQP), a testing regime that provides data for PV module benchmarking and project-level energy yield and financial models.
“The 2022 PV Module Reliability Scorecard is a testament to the resilience of an industry that is relentlessly pursuing the deployment of reliable solar power – no matter what obstacles arise. We know that the world is counting on us for the transition to clean energy,” said Jenya Meydbray, PVEL CEO. “At PVEL, we create the data that matters for a greener future, and we’re pleased to report that results have improved across many of our tests.”
Notable findings in the 2022 Scorecard include:
- A record of 12 manufacturers had one or more model types that were Top Performers in every reliability test — and six of these model types were also Top Performers in energy yield (PAN) performance.
- This year’s thermal cycling results were the best in PVEL’s history: 90% of modules tested degraded by less than 2%.
- There was a wide range of performance in damp heat testing: 50% of modules achieved top-performing results after the full test sequence, but one module degraded by 54%, the worst damp heat result in PVEL history.
- In a year of successes, PVEL also observed failures in testing. Just under half of all participating manufacturers suffered at least one failure.
“Manufacturers overcame significant challenges in the last year, and compared to previous Scorecards, the 2022 results show that module technology is improving overall,” noted Tristan Erion-Lorico, VP of Sales and Marketing at PVEL. “PVEL’s Scorecard showcases impressive examples of product performance and reliability across our rigorous testing program, allowing buyers to easily identify high-quality modules.”
The Scorecard is publicly accessible in an interactive digital format, with a searchable database of Top Performing modules at modulescorecard.pvel.com.
News item from PVEL
Interesting, in particular the understanding the industry has of (LID) and now one might find premium panels that will degrade less than 2% the first year and around 0.5% for every year after. Imagine solar PV panels manufactured today that would still have 96% output after 30 years of daily service. Keep in mind that some solar PV panels made by early manufacturing pretty much by hand in the 1970’s are still in use today and many still meet specification (today). So, just how long do solar PV panels work? 50 years of daily use or one day when a freak hailstorm with 60MPH winds and hail the size of baseballs comes along. Roll the dice, insure your array on your home insurance with a rider.