| Work Detail |
Only 34% of the modules tested in 2024 showed performance equal to or greater than that reported by the manufacturers, unlike the tests carried out in 2015 and 2016, in which 71.7% of the photovoltaic panels tested showed performance greater than that declared by the manufacturer and only 28.3% fell below the nominal power. TÜV Rheinland, a company specializing in testing, inspection, and certification services, identified that most solar panels tested in 2024 had lower power than the manufacturers declared, through analyses performed on equipment with different technologies, tested in laboratories in Asia and Europe. The tests were conducted with equipment using PERC (Passivated Emitter and Back Cell) technologies; TOPCon (Passivated Oxide Tunneling Contact) technologies; and BC (Back Contact) technologies, the latter considered more recent and generally more expensive. According to the results, only 34.3% of the tested modules delivered performance equal to or greater than that specified by the manufacturers. The remaining 65.7% were below the declared value. Despite this, most of the results remain within the laboratory uncertainty margin of 1.5%. Interestingly, the result obtained in 2024 is the opposite of that found by TÜV Rheinland in tests conducted in 2015 and 2016. On that occasion, 71.7% of the photovoltaic panels tested showed performance higher than that declared by the manufacturer, and only 28.3% fell below the nominal power. Although the differences identified are mostly within acceptable limits, they can affect consumer confidence. Therefore, it is essential to conduct testing with independent laboratories even in the early stages of production, allowing for adjustments without compromising the launch schedule, says Vinícius Gibrail, director of the solar and commercial products division at TÜV Rheinland in South America. In addition to initial performance testing, TÜV Rheinland evaluated the performance of the different module types under extreme conditions, including heat, humidity, voltage spikes, intense sunlight, and UV radiation. Panels with BC technology showed, on average, the best overall performance in accelerated aging tests, followed by TOPCon and PERC modules. The exception was in heat resistance, where TOPCon panels outperformed the others. Its important to note that the results represent averages. Some specific modules, regardless of technology, showed above- or below-average performance, says Gibrail. The study also warns that the different initial costs between technologies make it difficult to make generalized recommendations. Solar projects require high investments. The results show that there can be quality variations not only between technologies but also between manufacturers. Conducting pre-inspection of modules helps ensure more reliable planning and prevents losses, Gibrail concludes. |
