Web Desk — The Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC) in its annual PV Module Index report provides a comprehensive evaluation of solar panels’ reliability, quality, and performance. Based on rigorous testing, this year’s report highlights the top performers in various categories, offering valuable insights for project stakeholders seeking the best solar solutions.
RETC tests the efficiency of solar modules by putting them on a series of accelerated stress tests, pushing them to their limits to check resilience and performance under different conditions.
Some quality tests in this regard include assessments of back sheet ultraviolet durability, damp heat exposure, hail resistance, potential induced degradation (PID), static and dynamic mechanical load, thermal cycling, ultraviolet-induced degradation (UVID), module efficiency, incidence angle modifier, LeTID resistance, LID resistance, and temperature coefficiency.
Overall Highest Achievers
Nine manufacturers for their performance across multiple testing categories, have emerged as overall highest achievers. They include Astronergy, ES Foundry, Gstar, JA Solar, Longi Solar, Runergy, SolarSpace, Trina Solar, and Yingli Solar.
These companies demonstrated exceptional performance in terms of reliability and efficiency, making their products ideal choices for long-term solar projects.
Solar project developers, investors, and other stakeholders in the industry can seek guidance from RETC’s report as a valuable resource. The report by highlighting the top performers in multiple categories empowers informed decision-making and encourages the adoption of high-quality and reliable solar technology.
Reliability Champions
Several manufacturers have become top performers in reliability tests, demonstrating exceptional resistance to various environmental stressors. JA Solar, Longi Solar, and SolarSpace topped in backsheet ultraviolet durability. On other hand, Astronergy, ES Foundry, Longi Solar, Runergy, and Trina Solar demonstrated strong resilience in damp heat tests.
JA Solar and Longi Solar also excelled in hail durability tests, demonstrating resistance to impact from large hailstones.
Performance Leaders
Astronergy, Mission Solar, Qcells, REC Solar, and Silfab Solar have impressed with their high module conversion efficiency. Dehui Solar, ES Foundry, JA Solar, JinkoSolar, Longi Solar, Meyer Burger, Qcells, Runergy, Silfab Solar, SolarSpace, and some other manufacturers have achieved high scores in incidence angle modifier tests, showing their ability to maintain high output under varying sun angles.