The PV test laboratory of Germany's TUV SUD in North America, Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC) found PV modules from LONGi Green Energy Technology and Panasonic as the only high performers on its reliability, performance and quality indices. The PV Module Index 2019 (PVMI 2019) initiative of RETC compiled data for the year 2018. It recognized 17 suppliers and 40 awards for high achievements in various indicators or categories.
These were majorly divided into reliability, performance and quality indicators. Modules were subjected to various tests such as damp heat, humidity freeze, conversion efficiency, and the like. RETC was checking if modules perform well over a wide range of tests. For all these categories it individually tested modules by manufacturers and found consistent achievers in all three categories.
For 2018, LONGi Green Energy Technology and Panasonic were found by RETC to demonstrate high achievement across indicators in all 3 categories.
RETC is already planning its annual PV Module Index Reports for 2020 for which it expects to cover various PQP/Thresher testing thresholds of duration and cycles to continue to increase. It also sees more exhaustive characterization of a module family across a multitude of tests. "Expectation is that downstream participants will want to see additional characterization done on LeTID (Light and Elevated Temperature Induced Degradation) which has shown to be a good barometer in testing PERC type cell technologies as well," reads the report.
The report is available on RETC website.
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