Recording of Wednesday, May 07, 2025 | The smarter E Europe Conferences 2025 | Conference Program | Language: English | Duration: 15:20 .

Study Challenges Industry Standards as Glass-Glass PV Modules Prove Resilient Despite High Breakage Rates in Stress Tests

The study presented focuses on the durability and performance of glass-glass photovoltaic (PV) modules, specifically their resistance to cell cracks. The research involved subjecting these modules to extreme conditions like freezing at minus 40 degrees Celsius followed by impact with wood. It was found that breaking cells in such modules is difficult; typically, the glass breaks before any damage occurs to the cells themselves. Performance tests using automatic IV curve traces showed similar power loss rates for both cracked and non-cracked modules, indicating current crack tolerance criteria might need reevaluation as even heavily cracked ones performed comparably well. Additionally, some degradation unrelated directly to cracking suggests more complex mechanisms may be at play—warranting further investigation into warranty expectations versus actual field results. A concerning trend noted in a forthcoming 2025 scorecard shows an increase in module breakage during mechanical stress tests from previous years' figures due mainly to reduced glass strength and thinner frame designs driven by cost-cutting measures amidst financial pressures on manufacturers. This highlights an urgent need for buyers to ensure quality standards when purchasing solar panels against evolving manufacturing practices aimed at reducing costs while maintaining product integrity.

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Speaker

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

PV Module Quality Assurance: Applying Data Analysis to Enhance Performance and Safety

Speaker

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

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

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

Speaker

To Talk