Recording of Wednesday, June 19, 2024 | The smarter E Europe 2024 | Conference Program | Language: English | Duration: 15:24 .

Kiwa PVEL Highlights Increased Top Performers and Failures in Latest Solar Module Reliability Scorecard

Sishir Garemella, head of international business development at Kiwa PVEL, addressed an audience in Munich about the latest developments in module testing by his reliability lab based in California. The lab has gained prominence for its Product Qualification Program (PQP), a rigorous 10-step process designed to evaluate solar modules' longevity under environmental stress. Modules are manufactured and tested under controlled conditions to ensure they meet or exceed standards set out by IEC 61215. This year's PQP findings were encapsulated in the Kiwa PVEL PV Module Reliability Scorecard released on June 5th. Key insights included an increase in top-performing modules and greater geographical diversity among manufacturers, debunking the myth that high-quality solar production is limited to one country. However, there was also a notable rise in failure rates: two-thirds of bills of materials experienced at least one failure during testing. Only four BOMs achieved top performer status across all seven assessment categories. The presentation emphasized balancing industry enthusiasm with caution due to rapid technological changes and underscored the importance of thoroughly vetted products before procurement decisions are made.

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Speaker

Sishir Garemella
Head of Interational Business Development
Kiwa PVEL
USA

Talk of session: Utility-scale Solar Power III: Lifecycle & Quality - from Operations to Decommissioning & Re-powering

If designed and maintained well, solar systems can function for several decades. However, every PV power plant's life ends at some point - even if high-quality components have been used, whether because of age, financial feasibility or extreme weather events. The resulting waste streams need to be managed, but also generate a huge potential for repowering solar installations.

This session will provide:

• Overview of end-of-life management best practices
• Product quality control from fab to field
• Module reliability & performance
• Repowering solar power plants
• The impact of extreme weather on climate

Further Talks of this session:

Welcome and Introduction

Speaker

Adele Ara
Chief Technology Officer
Lightsource bp
UK

To Talk

Quality Control from Fab to Field

Speaker

Magnus Herz
Project Manager
TÜV Rheinland Energy GmbH
Germany

To Talk

Addressing the Gigantic Potential of Re-Vamping & Re-Powering of Solar Power Plants

Speaker

Tomaso Charlemont
Head of PV Revamping / Repowering EMEA
BayWa r.e. AG
Germany

To Talk

The Future of PV Systems in a World Increasingly Defined by Extreme Weather

Speaker

Ulrike Jahn
Senior Scientist
Fraunhofer Center for Silicon-Photovoltaics CSP
Germany

To Talk