Cost and risk uncertainties related to solar photovoltaic (PV) module technologies are often a major hurdle in solar project financing decisions. Current IEC and UL tests that predict early field failure for modules do not incorporate data on module durability—the rate of degradation of power output. These tests also lack a robust protocol for assessment of relative reliability risk for different module models. As a result, finance models for solar PV systems incorporate disparate methods of attempting to predict PV module durability, and it is not always clear which module may be most appropriate for a given application.

Quantitative, Independent PV Module Durability Data to Inform Decisions for Financiers, Developers, and Manufacturers

Fraunhofer, with its decades-long experience in PV technology development, testing, and qualification, is partnering with solar PV module manufacturers, developers, and financiers to address these issues. To accelerate progress towards a lifetime assessment protocol with industry-wide acceptance, Fraunhofer is leading the Photovoltaic Module Durability Initiative (PVDI), an integrated test and research initiative to understand and improve PV module durability.

PV module manufacturers, system developers, and financiers can participate in the PVDI program. For more information, please read the following details and contact Christian Hoepfner, Scientific Director, at 617-575-7254, or use the email form below.

• Quantitative, third-party data addresses investors’ and developers’ questions on module bankability.
• Initiative promotes continuous industry research and development of more durable PV modules through relative ranking system and immediate testing results.
• Participants benefit from detailed levels of data and findings, and may participate on a steering committee to inform yearly updates to international testing protocol.

• Exceeds the demands of IEC standard module certification.
• First widely available program to generate extensive, quantitative reliability data for modules.
• Quantitative scoring system enabling the credible ranking of modules based on their likelihood to perform reliably.
• Accelerated testing, UV, damp heat with positive and negative voltage bias as well as dynamic mechanical stresses.
• Also includes typical stresses such as temperature cycling, humidity-freeze, and damp-heat—extended to come closer to the actual lifetime stress of a module.
• R&D component and outdoor exposure testing to constantly improve the tests and to offer better models for module lifetime predictions.
• Steering committee of participants to share scientific progress and recent findings.

• A scientific research program will be established to validate the test methodology with additional tests and long-term outdoor exposure data.
• A fraction of all modules submitted for testing will be retained for long-term outdoor exposure and scientific experiments to further validate the testing protocol.
• Fraunhofer will organize a yearly workshop for PVDI sponsors to share and discuss scientific progress and recent findings. After this workshop, the test protocol will be reviewed and, if necessary, modified. The modifications will help to keep the protocol up-to-date with scientific understanding while acknowledging the need for continuity.
• Suggestions for differentiation of modules will be solicited from sponsors, research institutions, and national labs. Diversification with respect to operation climates and other factors is expected to result.
• The PVDI program will coordinate closely with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) initiative to develop a new QA standard as part of the IEC certification scheme.