Hello there solar enthusiasts, it’s your resident solar expert here bringing you exciting news from the solar sphere. If it helps guide your decisions to transition to cleaner energy, there’s a new report out from the Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC) that evaluates the quality, performance, and reliability of solar panels. This detailed report is quite a boon for individuals and solar companies looking to install a solar array for homes.
Let’s dive right in and dissect some important things from this report.
*Backsheet Ultraviolet Durability*
When you step out into the blazing sun, the UV rays can give you quite a nasty tan, right? Now picture your delicate solar panels basking under it day-in, day-out. This is where Backsheet Ultraviolet Durability (BUDT) comes in as a significant parameter while choosing a solar panel. Top performers in this category were **JA Solar**, **Longi Solar**, and **SolarSpace**.
*Damp Heat Test*
The real test of a warrior isn’t in the comforts of a calm environment, but in the battlefield, and the same holds for your solar panels. In the RETC report, the panels were subjected to intense damp heat tests, mimicking humid and high-temperature climates. Emerging victorious in this category were **Astronergy**, **ES Foundry**, **Longi Solar**, **Runergy**, and **Trina Solar**, each flaunting less than 2% degradation after the heat exposure.
*Hail Durability & Potential Induced Degradation (PID)*
Apart from the sun and heat, the panels are also subjected to hail-storms, wind, and potential parasites like voltage and current leakage that could lead to induced degradation. Your solar company must ensure the panel passed these tests with flying colors. Names excelling in these categories were **JA Solar**, **Longi Solar**, and a host of others that can be found in the report.
*Static and Dynamic Mechanical Load Test*
Just like how your bones bear the weight of your body, solar panels bear static and dynamic loads. A test was performed to expose the modules to varying amounts of pressure and the great news is that most samples qualified as high achievers. *Do a little celebratory dance, because the future of resilient solar arrays for home is bright (pun very much intended)*!
*Thermal Cycling & Ultraviolet Induced Degradation (UVID)*
To ensure the best solar panels for your home, thermal cycling and UVID tests are performed. These assessments determine a solar panel’s ability to tolerate temperature extremes and UV induced degradation. The top performers in this class were **Astronergy**, **ES Foundry**, **Gstar**, and more.
*Performance Evaluation*
Now that we’ve covered quality and reliability, let us discuss the performance of these tested units. From Module Efficiency to Incidence Angle Modifier (IAM) and Light- and Elevated Temperature-Induced Degradation (LeTID) resistance, all tests ascertained how well the module can convert sunlight into electricity and withstand potential degradation. The superstars of these tests were **Astronergy**, **Mission Solar**,**Qcells**, **REC Solar**, and **Silfab Solar**.
*Overall Highest Achievers*
The top accolade of ‘Overall Highest Achiever’ was only given to 8% of models tested, and this recognition helps X mark the spot for laymen and solar companies on the hunt for their treasure – the best solar panels for home use. Earning their stars in this category were **Astronergy**, **ES Foundry**, **Gstar**, **JA Solar**, **Longi Solar**, **Runergy**, **SolarSpace**, **Trina Solar**, and **Yingli Solar**.
So, as we wrap up our report breakdown, it’s exciting to see the leaps the solar sector is making in ensuring that we get durable, high-quality, and efficient solar panels for our homes. This detailed testing is essentially a guide map for individuals and solar companies alike in making informed decisions about the best units to lay on our rooftops, promising a clean, green and efficient energy future. Here’s to chasing the sun down, solar style!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/06/24/top-solar-panel-brands-in-reliability-quality-and-performance/
