Oct 19 2010
KYOCERA Corporation manufactured 210-watt solar module becomes the first solar module in the world to have qualified the four sub-tests of the ‘Long-Term Sequential Test,’ conducted by TUV Rheinland Japan Ltd an independent solar module dependability and quality evaluating company.
The Long-Term Sequential Test performed by the certifying association TUV Rheinland includes sub-tests such as Thermal Cycling, Damp heat, Bypass Diode and Humidity Freeze based on the environmental factors that can significantly affect the performance of a solar module. The tests are performed under tougher conditions than the one stipulated by International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Unlike the other traditional types of tests where a new individual module is subjected to each such sub-test, the Long-Term Sequential Test requires a single module to be subjected for all the sub-tests and appraises the quality of the module. The module normally undergoes more stress and strain during the evaluation process to estimate its capability to face such situations over its life time of usage. The 210-watt solar module which incorporates 54 multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells has successfully completed its Damp Heat and Thermal Cycling sub-tests to prove that they maintain a steady level of power production throughout. Unlike the other conventionally tested modules the Kyocera modules were subjected to sub-tests for a longer duration. All the sub-tests related to the module certification are expected to be completed by December 2010.
Tatsumi Maeda, KYOCERA Corporation Solar Energy Group’s Vice President and General Manager, said that the proof for long term dependability and quality can be ascertained from its 43 kW power producing module installed at its research center in 1985. He said that the modules continue to produce more power than it was estimated to produce. He clarified that the test results of TUV Rheinland will further confirm the data gathered by the company since the inception of its first solar module. He added that the test results will induce more faith in the minds of residential and commercial solar investors.