Solar Panel Quality

Field tests data are limited and takes years to measure performance over a extensive period of time. According to GTM Research, 85% of the global PV capacity has been installed in the past five years. This makes it complex to determine what will happen in the next 15 to 25 years.

The TUV Rheinland shared a study assessing 2000 IEC certification tests performed in a decade and still 10% of the tests led to failure. How do you define the quality of a panel? To ensure a product is of qualitative construction, we’re referred to a globally established seal for photovoltaic modules quality. This is the IEC 61215 certification for crystalline panels.

The IEC certification is the end result of dedication of the clean energy industry for quality improvement.To measure the caliber of panels, outdoor performance data must be used. As it is challenging to wait for long periods of time, the concept was, from failures observed outdoors, to develop accelerated stress tests that could mimic failures in a shorter period of time.

This started in the mid 70’s at the NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) that developed “five blocks buys” of accelerated stress tests from 1976 to 1981. A few several different sets of modules were used. Tests were improved with the largest leap forward.

Creating Accurate Tests

Based on the success of JPL, the clean community, and the Research Center of the European Commission, developing more accurate testing methods led to the enforcement of the IEC 61215 in 1995.

It’s second edition came out on 2005 that became the standard for the solar industry. Unfortunately, there are misunderstandings about IEC certifications and assessing the quality of a clean energy module. The IEC certification was initially made to reduce infant mortality.

John Wohlgemuth, from NREL talks of how a module that has taken the IEC 61215 certification should be advised: “passing the qualification test means the product has met a specific set of requirements. Those modules that have passed the qualification test have a higher probability to survive in the field and not have design flaws that lead to infant mortality”.

Interestingly enough, this translates to very little about the behavior of panels in the 20-25 years time frame investors are taking into account. The IEC certification doesn’t note it’s capability of the product to completes guarantees. The assessment of the long term behavior of clean energy modules is at risk in this industry.

Conclusion

Studies about the performance lifetime of pv panels are few and far in between. The IEC 61215 doesn’t guarantee the service lifetime of solar panels for the next 25 years. If you want to find out what solar panels are right for you, go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. You can see how much you can save over the next 20 years by going solar, and we can help find local solar installers who can help.

For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles.

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