Recording of Wednesday, May 07, 2025 | The smarter E Europe | Conference Program | Language: English | Duration: 15:09 .

Clean Energy Associates Highlights Rising High-Risk Ratings in PV Manufacturing Due to Cold Soldering and UVID Concerns Amid Global Innovation Surge

The presentation details Clean Energy Associates' (CEA) approach to quality assurance in photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing, emphasizing their global operations across 15 countries and experience with over 260 gigawatts of PV installations. CEA's Golden Standard Service involves rigorous pre-production reviews to establish QA specifications and factory audits for production validation. During production, inline monitoring and specimen inspections are conducted to maintain product integrity. Data collection is crucial at all stages; since 2016, sophisticated data management systems have been developed by CEA for defect identification during audits or sampling processes. A risk-based grading system assesses factory performance—recently showing high-risk ratings in seven out of ten factories due to major issues. Inline monitoring includes over 200 checklist items focusing on rework challenges like contamination before lamination, allowing early error rectification without discarding modules post-sealing. Statistical methods guide acceptable defect levels during inspections while highlighting common issues such as cell string misalignments detected visually. Defects like cold soldering are significant concerns alongside grid breakage and micro cracks; batch testing helps assess product quality quickly despite certification test limitations. New problems such as UVID have emerged but many suppliers address them successfully through corrective measures despite resistance from some producers against strict degradation limits. Rapid industry changes pose risks due to limited extensive pre-production testing amidst material variability aimed at efficiency improvements—a challenge especially for newer factories compared to established ones in China or Southeast Asia where past challenges were resolved using technologies like TopCon.

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Speaker

George Touloupas
Vice President, ESG and New Services
Clean Energy Associates (CEA)
USA

Talk of session: Solar Technology II: Quality Testing & Reliability of Solar Modules & Balance of Systems

Solar companies that want to maintain their position in the market cannot compromise on the quality and reliability of their products, even in the face of today's immense price pressures. But how can high-quality, long-lasting products be guaranteed in a highly competitive business environment that demands constant innovation in product design and changes in the bill of materials to quickly reduce costs? This session will provide: Best practices for maintaining high-quality standards while innovating product design Strategies for PV product procurement ensuring long-term reliability despite continued cost pressures Discussion on quality assurance programs and benchmarks for product reliability testing, from procurement, pre-production, production to post-shipment.

Further Talks of this session:

Welcome & Introduction

Speaker

Steven Xuereb
Executive Director
Kiwa PI Berlin
Germany

To Talk

Quality Testing & Reliability of Solar Modules & Balance of Systems

Speaker

Patrick Zank
Senior Battery Consultant & Business Development Manager
VDE Renewables GmbH
Germany

To Talk

TOPCon Modules Under Review: Recent Results on Stability, Reliability, and Outdoor Performance

Speaker

To Talk

Understanding the Impacts of Cell Cracks & Glass Breakage on PV Performance

Speaker

Tristan Erion-Lorico
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Kiwa PVEL
USA

To Talk

Panel Discussion: Why We Need a Holistic Approach to Address Current Quality and Reliability Pain Points in PV Systems

Speaker

To Talk