PVEL’s 2022 PV Module Reliability Scorecard Out

PV Evolution Labs (PVEL), the leading independent test lab for the downstream solar and energy storage industry and member of the Kiwa Group, published its (8th Edition) 2022 PV Module Reliability Scorecard. It names 122 model types of PV modules from 25 manufacturers as Top Performers in PVEL’s testing.

Every year, the Scorecard recognizes manufacturers that produce PV modules with excellent results in PVEL’s independent testing.

Rankings are based on performance and reliability data from the PVEL PV Module Product Qualification Program (PQP), a suite of lab and field tests that inform solar procurement and investment decisions.

The Scorecard provides actionable insights for PV module procurement. It summarizes results from PQP, a comprehensive testing regime established by PVEL in 2012 to provide empirical data for PV module benchmarking and project-level energy yield and financial models.

“The 2022 PV Module Reliability Scorecard demonstrates the industry’s resilience in pursuing reliable solar power, despite any obstacles. Jenya Meydbray is the CEO of PVEL. “We know the world depends on us to transition to clean energy,” Jenya said. “PVEL creates the data that is important for a greener tomorrow, and we are pleased to report that our results have improved in many of our tests.”

“Solar power is one of the most affordable forms of energy generation in the world, and global investments in this sector continue to grow,” stated Luca Votta (Global Business Sector Leader Renewable Energy, Kiwa Group). PVEL’s expertise in testing helps asset owners and developers make smart purchasing decisions and protect their investments over the long-term as more countries are turning to solar.

Notable findings in the 2022 Scorecard include:

1. 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.
2. This year’s Thermal Cycling results were the best in PVEL’s history: 90% of modules tested degraded by less than 2%.
3. 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 DH result in PVEL history.
4. 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 Scorcards, the 2022 results show that module technology is improving overall,” noted Tristan Erion-Lorico, VP of Sales and Marketing at PVEL.

Participation in PVEL’s PQP and Scorecard is voluntary for manufacturers and only top-performing module model types are named in the Scorecard. To date, PVEL has tested over 500 BOMs from more than 50 manufacturers for the PV Module PQP.