PV Evolution Labs Certifies Solar Manufacturers as PID-Free: Yingli, SolarWorld, JA Solar, Kyocera, and Trina All Pass Qualification

Stringent Potential Induced Degradation Testing Provides Confidence of PV Reliability

BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--North America’s premier independent solar module test lab, PV Evolution Labs (PVEL), announced that under its new Potential Induced Degradation (PID) testing program, several leading solar PV manufacturers have received the highest level of certification as PID-free. PVEL created the PID Certification program because it is now known that the electrical potential between the frame and cells of a PV module can cause accelerated performance degradation. The most recent manufacturers to be qualified by PVEL’s stringent Certification are Yingli Solar, SolarWorld, JA Solar, Kyocera Solar, and Trina Solar.

“Sophisticated module testing and characterization is about realizing the benefits of good design”

“Sophisticated module testing and characterization is about realizing the benefits of good design,” said Jenya Meydbray, CEO of PVEL. “Our PID Certification provides manufacturers and project investors with detailed intelligence about how PV products withstand a common cause of performance degradation and module failure.”

PVEL develops innovative new testing programs in order to increase PV quality standards within the industry and mitigate technology risk for project investors, particularly in areas such as the PID phenomenon, where there are no industry-wide acknowledged test standards available. By measuring the stability of solar panel electrical output when exposed to high system voltages (positive and negative 1kV) under harsh environmental conditions (85˚C at 85% relative humidity) for 600 hours, PVEL engineers determined that the modules tested performed far better than the allowable degradation limit. In simulating system voltage stresses that an installed module endures and evaluating both positive and negative grounding effects, manufacturers and power plant owners have more confidence in PV module reliability knowing the modules are being deployed in appropriate system configurations.

About PVEL

Headquartered in Berkeley, CA, PV Evolution Labs (www.PVEL.com) was founded on the principle that understanding solar module performance and aging behavior through rigorous testing is fundamental to reducing risk in solar investments. PVEL enables realizing the benefits of good design.