PV MODULE RELIABILITY: HOW CAN WE IMPROVE IT?

摘要

With the recent, significant expansion of the PV industry, the reliability and safe operation of PV modules has become even more important. The industry has transited from a time when qualification of the modules and ISO 9001 for the factory were adequate to the present situation where the owners/installers of large systems require a specific set of additional proprietary accelerated stress tests along with performing an inspection of the module factory to assess quality control. The present practice is now being codified by PVQAT and IEC with the development of Climate Specific Testing and the publication of a guideline for PV Quality Management Systems. Also in this timeframe, IEC 61215 is undergoing a major revision and the IECRE Conformity Assessment System will begin certifying PV systems. This paper will describe how this change has come about and what it means in the near future for both module manufacturing and continued reliability research.