The increasing prevalence of extreme weather events across the country is a significant concern for the solar energy industry. From hurricanes and floods to intense heat waves and snowstorms, these events highlight the need for durable, high-performance solar panels that can withstand harsh conditions and maintain optimal energy production.
At GreenLancer, we have over a decade of experience in the solar industry and understand the importance of using high-quality equipment in solar installations. The newly released PVEL Scorecard 2024 is a crucial resource for evaluating solar panel reliability and performance.
This annual report from PV Evolution Labs (PVEL) provides critical insights into the durability, efficiency, and resilience of photovoltaic (PV) modules through rigorous stress tests. The PVEL Top Performer 2024 designation recognizes solar panels that excel in thermal cycling, damp heat, mechanical stress, potential-induced degradation (PID), and hail resistance.
By leveraging data from the PVEL 2024 Scorecard, solar installers, designers, and developers can make informed decisions about which PV modules offer the best long-term reliability. This ensures superior system performance, increased return on investment, and long-lasting renewable energy solutions for your clients.
Overview of the PVEL 2024 Scorecard
PV Evolution Labs (PVEL) plays a crucial role in the solar industry by conducting independent, rigorous reliability testing on photovoltaic (PV) modules. The PVEL Scorecard 2024 serves as a globally recognized benchmark for solar panel quality, durability, and long-term performance.
The PVEL 2024 Scorecard is based on a series of stringent solar panel reliability tests designed to replicate extreme environmental conditions. These include thermal cycling, damp heat, mechanical stress, potential-induced degradation (PID), and hail resistance—key factors that determine a module’s ability to maintain performance and structural integrity over time.
Key insights from the PVEL 2024 Scorecard highlight the PVEL Top Performer 2024 solar modules, recognizing manufacturers that have excelled in durability and efficiency. The results help solar installers, developers, and EPCs select the most reliable PV panels for projects, particularly in areas prone to extreme weather conditions.
"As you can see from this visualization of the key metrics below, it is a tight race, and 2024 was a big year for gains in every performance metric category," explains Randy Chabot, Customer Support Leader for GreenLancer.
Summary of 2024 PVEL Solar Panel Reliability Testing Gains
The PVEL 2024 Scorecard highlights crucial gains in solar module reliability and performance compared to 2023. These improvements are particularly important for ensuring long-lasting and efficient solar installations, especially in regions experiencing extreme weather conditions. By leveraging PVEL Scorecard 2024 insights, solar developers and installers can make data-driven decisions to optimize system reliability and return on investment.
Overall Performance: The PVEL 2024 Scorecard reveals significant advancements in solar panel durability, particularly in thermal cycling and light-induced degradation (LID) + light- and elevated-temperature-induced degradation (LETID) tests. These improvements indicate that manufacturers are enhancing module design to ensure greater resistance to temperature fluctuations and performance losses over time.
Reduction in Failures: A key highlight of the PVEL Scorecard 2024 is the decline in failure rates for mechanical stress and potential-induced degradation (PID) tests. Lower failure rates in these categories suggest that PV manufacturers are adopting reinforced module designs and improved encapsulation materials to prevent microcracks, electrical leakage, and other reliability issues that could impact long-term performance.
Technological Advancements: The PVEL Top Performer 2024 modules continue to show enhanced energy yield and lower degradation rates, underscoring advancements in PV cell technology, anti-reflective coatings, and encapsulant materials. These innovations contribute to higher efficiency, improved resistance to environmental stressors, and prolonged operational lifespan.
Impact of Extreme Weather on Solar Panel Performance
In recent years, the rise in extreme weather events has had a significant impact on solar installations. Hurricanes, with their high winds and heavy rains, can cause severe damage to solar panels and mounting structures. Heatwaves can lead to thermal stress, while snowstorms introduce additional weight and stress on panels, potentially leading to failure.
Durable, reliable modules free from solar panel defects are essential for withstanding these harsh weather conditions. Solar panels that fail under extreme weather events result in replacement costs, system downtime, and reduced renewable energy production, negatively affecting both the bottom line and customer satisfaction.
For example, during Hurricane Ida in 2021, several installations experienced panel detachments and micro-cracks due to intense winds and debris. In contrast, solar arrays with high-reliability panels from the PVEL Scorecard 2024 sustained minimal damage and continued operating efficiently post-storm. This highlights the importance of selecting solar panels tested for extreme conditions, ensuring optimal performance even in the harshest environments.
Incorporating insights from the PVEL 2024 Scorecard allows installers to equip their projects with the most reliable photovoltaic panels available, providing peace of mind and sustained performance to clients regardless of the weather challenges they face.
“Trina Solar has been making incredible strides in its reliability and performance,” says Chabot. “Their panels rate among the highest in nearly every solar panel reliability test. Given the results, they are my top pick for extreme weather situations and overall.” In particular, these panels showed strong resistance to damp heat, mechanical stress, thermal cycling, and hail.
5 Key Insights from the PVEL Scorecard 2024
The 2024 PVEL Scorecard provides an in-depth evaluation of solar panels, highlighting the PVEL top performer 2024 models and their resilience in challenging conditions. This report offers invaluable insights for making informed decisions on which solar panels to deploy in projects, particularly in areas prone to extreme weather events.
1 - Detailed Analysis of PVEL Top Performers
The PVEL scorecard 2024 identifies several top-performing solar panels that have proven exceptional in their reliability and durability. These panels excelled in various stress tests designed to simulate real-world conditions, ensuring their performance even during extreme weather events. This offers accurate test data for most of the leading solar panels on the market today.
Among the PVEL top performer 2024 models, specific panels stood out for their superior performance across multiple tests. Manufacturers such as LONGi Solar, JA Solar, and Trina Solar consistently ranked high, demonstrating excellent electrical performance and maintaining structural integrity under significant stress. These panels are ideal for installations in harsh environments, offering long-term durability.
2 - Insights into Specific Solar Module Tests
The PVEL scorecard 2024 encompasses a diverse range of tests meticulously designed to evaluate the resilience of solar panels to extreme weather conditions. This solar panel reliability scorecard enables you to make strategic procurement decisions tailored to the specific climate of your installations.
1 - Thermal Cycling (TC)
The TC test evaluates how well a solar panel can withstand rapid temperature fluctuations, simulating the environmental conditions panels may encounter over long periods. The TC600 test subjects are subjected to 600 thermal cycles, providing insights into their durability and reliability under extreme temperature changes.
For contractors, designers, or developers working in areas with extreme temperature variations, such as desert climates, referencing the PVEL 2024 data can help select panels that demonstrate resilience to thermal stress. This minimizes the risk of micro-cracks or solder joint failures, ensuring reliable long-term performance.
2023 and 2024 Thermal Cycling Comparison
2023:
84% of solar modules tested degraded by <2% after TC600.
Median degradation was 1.0%.
12% of PV panels experienced failures (e.g., failed diodes, melted connectors). 2024:
84% of modules tested degraded by <2% after TC600.
Median degradation improved to 0.8%.
Failures were slightly reduced to 11%.
Improvement: The median degradation rate has improved, indicating better resilience of PV modules to major temperature fluctuations.
2 - Damp Heat (DH)
The PVEL 2024 includes a damp heat (DH) test, which subjects solar modules to prolonged exposure to high humidity and elevated temperatures, simulating the harsh conditions of tropical or coastal climates. In the PVEL scorecard 2024, modules are exposed to 185°F (85°C) temperatures and 85% humidity for 1,000 hours, evaluating their resistance to extreme environmental factors.
For solar installers working in hot and humid regions, referencing the PVEL scorecard 2024 can help identify PVEL top performer 2024 panels with exceptional resistance to moisture ingress and potential-induced degradation (PID). Choosing such panels ensures sustained efficiency and reliability, even in the most challenging environmental conditions.
2023 and 2024 Damp Heat Comparison
2023:
72% of PV modules exhibited <2% degradation.
Median degradation for glass/glass was 1.0%, while glass/backsheet was 1.9%.
DH-related power loss failures dropped to zero from 4% in 2022. 2024:
69% of solar panels exhibited <2% degradation.
Median degradation for glass/glass slightly increased to 1.6%.
Failures remained low at 11%.
Little Change: While the percentage of modules with <2% degradation slightly decreased, the failure rate remained low, maintaining overall reliability.
3 - PVEL 2024: Mechanical Stress Sequence (MSS)
The MSS test in the PVEL 2024 scorecard subjects PV modules to a rigorous series of mechanical stresses that replicate real-world conditions, such as wind, snow loads, and thermal cycling. This test combines static and dynamic mechanical loading with thermal cycling to assess the durability and resilience of modules under various mechanical stresses they may face during their lifespan.
For solar installations in regions exposed to high winds, heavy snow, or fluctuating temperatures, referring to the PVEL scorecard 2024 will help you identify PV modules with superior structural integrity and long-term performance, ensuring your system remains reliable under mechanical stress.
2023 and 2024 Mechanical Stress Sequence Comparison
2023:
Lowest average and median MSS degradation rates in PVEL’s history.
Glass/glass modules had lower average and median power loss compared to glass/backsheet.
The best results were observed with traditional two-rail mounting systems. 2024:
95% of solar energy panels had <2% power loss.
Failures reduced to 7%.
Improvement: Significant reduction in failure rates, indicating better durability under mechanical stress.
4 - Hail Resistance Sequence (HSS)
The HSS test in the PVEL 2024 scorecard evaluates the resilience of solar panels to hailstorms by subjecting them to high-velocity impacts from ice balls. The test also includes repeated hail impact simulations to ensure the panels can withstand severe weather conditions without sustaining significant damage.
For solar installers working in regions prone to frequent hailstorms, the PVEL scorecard 2024 provides valuable data to help select PVEL top performer 2024 PV modules that offer superior hail resistance, ensuring long-term performance and durability under harsh conditions.
2023 and 2024 Hail Resistance Sequence Comparison
2023:
89% of 2.0 mm glass/glass modules experienced broken glass with 50 mm hail.
Corner impacts yielded the highest breakage rates. 2024:
89% of 2.0 mm glass/glass modules experienced breakage with 50 mm hail.
No glass-related power degradation >3%.
Little Change: The results remained consistent with previous years, maintaining high standards for hail resistance.
5 - Light-Induced Degradation (LID) & Light and Elevated Temperature Induced Degradation (LETID)
The LID & LETID test in the PVEL scorecard 2024 evaluates how solar panels maintain their performance when exposed to sunlight and higher temperatures. LID measures the initial drop in power output when a panel is first used due to material changes, while LETID assesses how panels endure the combined effects of sunlight and heat over time.
By referencing the PVEL 2024 scorecard, solar installers can identify PVEL top performer 2024 modules that exhibit superior durability and reliability, ensuring long-lasting performance in solar energy systems, especially in high-sun and hot climates.
2023 and 2024 LID & LETID Comparison
2023:
97% of solar panels had <2% power loss.
The median degradation was 0.8%. 2024:
96% of PV modules tested had <1% power loss.
Median degradation improved to 0.3%.
Improvement: Better performance with a higher threshold for top performer qualification.
6 - PVEL 2024: Potential-Induced Degradation (PID)
The PID test in the PVEL scorecard 2024 evaluates the vulnerability of photovoltaic modules to Potential-Induced Degradation, which occurs when high voltage and humidity levels combine, leading to performance degradation. PID can cause leakage currents and the migration of charged particles, impacting the module's efficiency over time.
By consulting the PVEL 2024 scorecard, solar installers can select PVEL top performer 2024 modules that are resistant to PID, ensuring long-term reliability and consistent performance in regions with high humidity or moisture levels.
2023 and 2024 PID Comparison
2023:
79% of modules were PID Top Performers.
Median degradation rates ranged from 1.1% to 1.6% across technologies.
2024:
58% of solar PV panels tested degraded by <2%.
Median degradation increased to 1.8%.
Improvement: PID scores showed improvement from 2023 to 2024, indicating advancements in PV module durability against potential-induced degradation.
7 - Partial Angle (PAN) Performance
The PAN Performance test in the PVEL scorecard 2024 assesses how solar modules perform when sunlight strikes them at non-optimal angles, simulating real-world conditions where the angle of incidence varies throughout the day. This test helps determine how well photovoltaic modules maintain power output and efficiency under these changing sunlight conditions.
By referencing the PVEL 2024 scorecard, solar installers can select PVEL top performer 2024 modules that demonstrate superior efficiency in varying sunlight angles, optimizing energy production throughout the day.
2023 and 2024 Partial Angle Performance Comparison
2023:
Increased energy yields with TOPCon and HJT technologies (advanced solar cell technologies aimed at improving efficiency).
The top quartile-specific energy yield threshold increased by 0.8%.
2024:
Maintained high performance, with the top quartile energy yield threshold increasing by 1%.
Improvement: Enhanced energy yield, reflecting advancements in PV panel technologies.
3 - Comparative Performance of Different PV Module Manufacturers and Models
The PVEL 2024 scorecard offers a comprehensive comparative performance analysis of various PV module manufacturers and their models. Leading manufacturers like LONGi Solar, JA Solar, and Trina Solar consistently rank high, showcasing their dedication to producing high-quality, reliable solar panels. These manufacturers' modules excelled across multiple PVEL scorecard 2024 tests, demonstrating outstanding durability and reliability.
For example, LONGi Solar's panels delivered exceptional results in thermal cycling and damp heat tests, making them ideal for cold and humid climates. JA Solar's panels showcased excellent resistance to mechanical loads, making them suitable for regions with heavy snow or high wind loads. Trina Solar's panels stood out for their balanced performance, excelling in thermal cycling, damp heat, and hail resistance tests.
4 - Dominance of Bifacial Solar Modules for Durability
Bifacial solar panels have made a strong impact in the PVEL 2024 scorecard, frequently topping the list of PVEL top performer 2024 panels. These modules capture sunlight from both the front and back sides, significantly enhancing overall energy generation. This added benefit is especially useful in environments with reflective surfaces like snow or sand, where extra light can be harnessed.
Many bifacial modules tested in the PVEL scorecard 2024 demonstrated remarkable efficiency and durability across multiple stress tests. Their performance in thermal cycling, damp heat, mechanical load, and hail resistance tests showcased their resilience and ability to withstand extreme weather conditions. With their proven performance, bifacial modules are an excellent option for projects requiring both high output and long-term durability.
5 - Diverse Solar Panel Test Results in the PVEL 2024 Scorecard
The comprehensive testing conducted as part of the PVEL 2024 scorecard reveals a diverse range of performance among different panel models. This diversity underscores the complex interplay of factors influencing panel performance, including cell technology, manufacturing processes, and environmental conditions.
Test results highlight variations in efficiency, durability, and reliability across different panel models, emphasizing the importance of thorough evaluation and selection based on specific project requirements. Therefore, if you are a solar installer and project developer, you must carefully consider geographical location, climate, installation environment, and performance metrics when choosing a project's panels.
For example, panels that perform well in harsh environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures or high humidity, may be better suited for installations in tropical or coastal regions. Similarly, panels with superior shading tolerance may be preferred for installations where shading is a significant concern.
Best Practices for Installation to Enhance Durability and Performance
Although selecting reliable solar PV panels is critical, don’t underestimate the critical role of proper installation. To maximize the durability and performance of solar panels, adhere to best installation practices:
Ensure proper mounting and securing of panels to withstand high winds and heavy snow loads.
Utilize quality mounting hardware and materials that resist corrosion and wear.
Maintain adequate ventilation around the panels to prevent overheating and ensure efficient operation.
Regularly inspect and maintain the system to identify and address any potential issues early.
How to Use the PVEL 2024 Top Performers Search Tool
The PVEL Top Performers search tool is valuable for solar installers seeking to identify the most reliable and high-performing solar energy panels. Here's how to effectively use this tool:
Access the Tool:
Visit the PVEL Top Performers webpage using the PVEL 2024 Top Performers Search Tool.
Filter by Criteria:
Refine your search by applying filters based on specific criteria such as manufacturer, module type (e.g., monofacial, bifacial), and test categories (e.g., thermal cycling, damp heat, mechanical load, hail resistance). This helps pinpoint the best PVEL top performer 2024 panels that match your project’s needs.
Review Performance Metrics:
Explore the detailed performance metrics for each panel. The tool provides a comprehensive overview of how each panel performed across various solar panel reliability tests, highlighting strengths and areas of excellence.
Compare Solar Panels:
Use the comparison feature to assess multiple panels side-by-side. This tool allows for easy evaluation of how different PVEL top performer 2024 panels measure up to your specific requirements, helping you choose the most suitable modules for various environmental conditions.
Download Reports:
Download detailed scorecard reports for in-depth analysis. These reports offer comprehensive data on each panel’s performance, providing additional context and information for decision-making.
Stay Updated:
Regularly check the tool for updates and new additions to the list of PVEL 2024 top performers. PVEL continuously tests and evaluates new panels, ensuring that you always have access to the most up-to-date and reliable solar products on the market.
Is the 2025 PVEL Scorecard Available?
As of March, 2025, the 2025 PVEL PV Module Reliability Scorecard has not yet been released. The most recent edition is the 2024 Scorecard, published in June 2024, which recognized a record number of manufacturers and provided valuable insights into module reliability.
Historically, PVEL has released its scorecards annually, typically in mid-year. Therefore, it's reasonable to anticipate the 2025 Scorecard's publication around mid-2025. For the latest updates, you can monitor PVEL's website.
The Critical Role of Reliable Solar Panels for Extreme Weather Events
As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, selecting reliable solar panels is essential. High-quality, dependable PV panels ensure that solar installations remain operational and efficient, even in challenging conditions. This helps protect your investment and ensures continuous energy production. Given the uncertainty surrounding climate changes over a solar system's 30-year lifespan, it's vital to choose solar panels with high PVEL 2024 reliability scores.
By leveraging insights from the PVEL 2024 PV Module Reliability Scorecard and selecting PVEL top performer 2024 panels that excel in rigorous tests, you can ensure the durability and resilience of your solar projects. Prioritizing reliability enhances customer satisfaction and supports the broader goal of sustainable, dependable renewable energy solutions.
At GreenLancer, we are committed to advancing the adoption of solar energy. Our platform offers permit-ready plan sets, engineering stamps, and interconnection applications to support your solar projects. Create a free account today and start utilizing the GreenLancer platform for seamless project execution.
コメント