Hard data on module durability and performance allows manufacturers to target durability concerns and distinguish their products from those of their competitors, and it gives investors higher confidence in their expected return.

The PV Durability Initiative (PVDI) is a joint undertaking between the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) and the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE), initially announced in 2011. The goal is to develop a durability assessment procedure that ultimately will be adopted as a global industry standard. PVDI draws from existing accelerated stress reliability tests, with the intention to reach module wear-out in a variety of environmental conditions, and combines these with long-term outdoor testing. The actual outdoor field performance is compared to the accelerated testing to determine the tests’ acceleration factors, which at present are largely unknown. Until these factors are ascertained, assessing module lifetime based on test performance is best determined by using a relative rating system among different module technologies. As module durability becomes better understood, test protocols may be modified. Testing for the PVDI is ongoing. One round has been completed, a second round of testing is underway and a third round is planned to begin at the end of 2013.

For the five module types tested in the first round, differences in susceptibility to potential-induced degradation (PID), thermal cycling, and mechanical loads were distinguishable. Out of the two module types which experienced PID, one experienced irreversible degradation under negative bias, and the other experienced full recovery with light soaking, after degrading under positive bias.

Outdoor performance testing in Albuquerque, USA is only recently underway, but the goal is to evaluate the predicted, expected, and actual module performance for several mounting configurations. The “predicted “performance is the calculated by modeling the solar spectrum at the test site, using spectrum-influencing atmospheric conditions obtained from the Typical Meteorological Year 3 (TMY3) database. Actual site measurements of these same conditions are used to generate the “expected” performance, and finally the “actual” module performance is measured directly. With these results, performance will be forecasted and then verified in other locations.

A flexible approach and commitment to integrity positions the company for US projects

ZNSHINE SOLAR, producer of high quality monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar modules, today announces its intention to expand into the US market. The young company brings a flexible approach and reputation for integrity and differentiated technological advantage to meet the strategic needs of its customers and is looking forward to bringing this to the dynamic US market.

A rapidly changing PV industry dictated by anti-dumping issues, government regulations, regional requirements and rising energy costs is having a major effect on the sector throwing into question the hitherto standard business model of “Mega Manufacturing Plants”, large scale manufacturers with complex structures, who in the future may not be able to re-shape their business rapidly enough to   meet the challenges, this wildly fluctuating market brings.

ZNSHINE SOLAR is instead part of the new generation of photovoltaic companies positioned to adapt to changing legislation and market demands. Thanks to smaller factory footprints and less debt, the company is able to adjust their offering quickly, with a customer-focused business model.

Further enhancing their appeal, ZNSHINE SOLAR has built a reputation for integrity, consistently meeting the goals they set out to accomplish. The trust they have earned extends to their quality solar modules as well as to their approach for each project. ZNSHINE SOLAR is determined to use technology to drive down KWHr generation costs and is poised to launch a number of technological advances in 2014 targeted to bring down the cost of KWhr generation. From something as simple as a new self-cleaning glass coating which will improve module yield to more exciting new electronics technology which will greatly increasing system performance.

Stuart Brannigan, ZNSHINE SOLAR’s recently appointed Vice-President Sales and Marketing Europe and Americas, and recognized industry leader, explains, “We are entering a new era in the PV industry. The end users are more aware of their own requirements and energy needs. We the suppliers have to be able to adjust to that. At ZNSHINE SOLAR our core values are flexibility, innovation, integrity and superior customer service. That, combined with our high quality monocrystalline and polycrystalline modules, puts us in a strong position to enter the competitive US market.”

The company has doubled sales between 2011 and 2013 and is on target to reach 500 MW of global sales by the end of the year.