Hello, solar enthusiasts! Today, I want to delve into a subject that’s paramount yet often overlooked in our glittering world of solar – quality standards for solar modules. As the solar industry continues to set a blazing trail in the world of renewable energy, it is becoming more and more critical for solar arrays for homes to be of the highest quality. But how do we ensure that the solar panels for your home meet and surpass all the quality parameters? The answer lies in thorough testing and inspection.
That’s precisely why I found the latest white paper published by PV testing labs Kiwa PVEL and Kiwa PI Berlin enlightening. It gives a comprehensive overview of harnessing testing and inspection to improve the quality and longevity of solar modules. The white paper, aptly titled, “Raising the Bar: Defining acceptable levels of quality for PV modules,” sets the benchmarks for determining solar module quality. I’ll break it down for you.
So, what does it take for a module to qualify as outstanding? It primarily involves going through an extended reliability Product Qualification Program (PQPs) testing, Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI), batch testing, and Ongoing Reliability Monitoring (ORM). These metrics strive to solidify a solid framework to ensure that PV modules match the highest quality standards. The paper even proposes thresholds for PQP, offering guidance on what constitutes a “clear pass,” “conditional pass,” and a “clear fail.”
The white paper draws upon UI Berlin’s analysis to reveal that only 76 out of 774 solar module batches passed the inspection defect-free. The most frequently spotted issue was electroluminescence defects, commonly due to microcracks, weak soldering, cell contamination, among other factors. Frame defects also proved to be a common problem.
But the most enlightening aspect of the white paper was its section on the inspection and batch testing. It offers valuable suggestions for evaluating solar modules at various production stages and batch sizes, stating precise test protocols, frequencies, and acceptance thresholds.
The collective effort taken by Kiwa PVEL and Kiwa PI Berlin is indeed a milestone in our journey towards achieving unprecedented solar module quality. Firms like these, amongst many other dedicated solar companies, are pushing the boundaries and driving the entire solar industry to attain higher quality levels. This white paper is not just another document; it is a testament to the relentless efforts being made to safeguard renewable energy investments worldwide.
To sum up, this white paper serves as a beacon, guiding us towards high-quality solar panels for your home. After reading this, you won’t have to rely on solar companies telling you what is best – you can decide it for yourself. Let’s shine the light on the right chase and kick-start genuine investments in the future of solar energy.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/09/09/kiwa-pvel-kiwa-pi-berlin-outline-best-practices-for-pv-module-quality/
