When Certifications are Just Not Enough - Extended Reliability Testing of PV Modules

Background, Description, Delivery and Learning Objective New PV technologies are being introduced in the market at a rapid pace and such technologies are becoming mainstream even before sufficient field experience is available with regard to the reliability and degradation rates of the solar panels in different climatic conditions. Extensive reliability testing of the PV modules has become necessary considering the long warranty periods now extending up to 30 years, while the certifications like IEC 61215 are very limited in their approach as its only meant for avoiding infant mortality of the PV modules. This poster will delve into the results of various field studies on degradation of field-deployed solar panels and also discuss about the extended testing protocols offered by different testing laboratories. The audience will be educated about the necessity to look beyond the certification tests for ensuring the long term performance of their solar installations.