• Resources

Resources

The following resources were produced in association with the International Photovoltaic Quality Assurance Task Force (PVQAT) or are related to the organization's ongoing efforts.

General Reports

2024

How Credible Is the 25-Year Photovoltaic (PV) Performance Warranty?—A Techno-Financial Evaluation and Implications for the Sustainable Development of the PV Industry
Authors: Hsi, P.-H.; Shieh, J.C.P
Sustainability 2024, 16, 3880.

2023

Performance evaluation of procedures used to correct measured I-V characteristics of photovoltaic modules for temperature and irradiance
Authors: Xu, W.; Monokroussos, C.; Müllejans. H.; Herrmann, W.;
Progress in Photovoltaics 31(10), 2023

2022

Photovoltaic fleet degradation insights
Authors: Jordan, D.C.; Anderson, K.; Perry, K.; Muller, M.; Deceglie, M.; White, R.; Deline, C.
Progress in Photovoltaics 30, 2022.

2021

Standards development for modules in high temperature micro-environments
Authors: Kempe, M., Holsapple, D., Whitfield, K., and Shiradkar, N.
Journal: Progress in Photovoltaics

The value of stability in photovoltaics
Authors: Peters, I.M.; Hauch, J; Brabec, C. Sinha, P.
Joule 5, 3137–3153, December 15, 2021

2020

The PVQAT Effort
Author: John Wohlgemuth
Book Chapter in "Photovoltaic Module Reliability"

2018

Defining the Value of IECRE Certifications for Providing Confidence in PV System Performance
Authors: Kelly, G., Haring, A., Hogan, S., Ball, G., Repins, I., Heinze, M., Yamamichi, M., and Butler, E.
Conference: 2018 IEEE 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC)

2017

Marrying Quality Assurance with Design Engineering – A Winning Partnership! But a Cultural Divide?
Authors: Kurtz, S., Ramu, G., Cornell, R., Lokanath, S., Hsi, E., Sample, T., Yamamichi, M., Kelly, G., Spooner, T., Previtali, J., and Wohlgemuth, J.
Conference: 2017 IEEE 44th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC)

Ensuring the Reliability of Photovoltaic Power Systems Using International Standards and the IECRE Conformity Assessment System
Authors: Kelly, G., Haring, A., Spooner, T., Ball, G., Kurtz, S., Heinze, M., Yamamichi, M., and Ramu, G.
Conference: 2017 IEEE 44th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC)

Qualification Testing versus Quantitative Reliability Testing of PV – Gaining Confidence in a Rapidly Changing Technology
Author: Kurtz, S., Whitfield, K., Phillips, N., Sample, T., Monokroussos, C., Hsi, E., Repins, I., Hacke, P., Jordan, D., Wohlgemuth, J., Seidel, P., Jahn, U., Kempe, M., Tanahashi, T., Chen, Y., Jaeckel, B., and Yamamichi, M.
Conference: 33rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition

2016

Coordination of International Standards with Implementation of the IECRE Conformity Assessment System to Provide Multiple Certification Offerings for PV Power Plants.
Authors: Kelly, G., Haring, A., Spooner, T., Ball, G., Kurtz, S., Heinze, M., Yamamichi, M., Eguchi, Y., and Ramu, G.
Conference: 2016 IEEE 43rd Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC)

2015

Ensuring the Reliability of PV Systems through the Formation of the IECRE Conformity Assessment System and the Development of New International Standards
Authors: Kelly, G., Haring, A., Spooner, T., Ball, G., & Kurtz, S.
Conference: 2015 IEEE 42nd Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC)

Moving toward Quantifying Reliability - The Next Step in a Rapidly Maturing PV Industry
Authors: Kurtz, S., Sample, T., Wohlgemuth, J., Zhou, W., Bosco, N., Althaus, J., Phillips, N., Deceglie, M., Flueckiger, D., Hacke, P., Miller, D., Kempe, M., Yamamichi, M., and Kondo, M.
Conference: 2015 IEEE 42nd Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC)

Updated Proposal for a Guide for Quality Management Systems for PV Manufacturing: Supplemental Requirements to ISO 9001-2008
Authors: Ramu, G., Yamamichi, M., Zhou, W., Mikonowicz, A., Lokanath, S., Eguchi, Y., Norum, P., and Kurtz, S.
Report: NREL/TP-5J00-63742

2014

Requirements for Quality Management System for PV Module Manufacturing
Authors: Eguchi, Y., Ramu, G., Lokanath, S. V, Yamamichi, M., Kurtz, S., Wohlgemuth, J., Yamada, E., and Kondo, M.
Conference: 2014 IEEE 40th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC)

Ensuring the Reliability of PV Systems through the Selection of International Standards for the IECRE Conformity Assessment System
Authors: Kelly, G., Spooner, T., Volberg, G., Ball, G., & Bruckner, J.
Conference: 2014 IEEE 40th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC)

Three-Prong Path to Comprehensive Technical Standards for Photovoltaic Reliability
Authors: Kurtz, S., Wohlgemuth, J., Sample, T., Yamamichi, M., Kondo, M., & Kelly, G.
Conference: 2014 IEEE 40th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC)

International PV QA Task Force’s Proposed Comparative Rating System for PV Modules
Authors: Wohlgemuth, J., & Kurtz, S.
Report: Reliability of Photovoltaic Cells, Modules, Components, and Systems VII

2013

Proposal for a Guide for Quality Management Systems for PV Manufacturing: Supplemental Requirements to ISO 9001-2008
Authors: Norum, P., Sinicco, I., Eguchi, Y., Lokanath, S., Zhou, W., Brueggemann, G., Mikonowicz, A., Yamamichi, M., Kurtz, S.
Report: NREL/TP-5200-58940

All-India Survey of Photovoltaic Module Degradation: 2013
Authors: Dubey, R., Chattopadhyay, S., Kuthanazhi, V., John, J. J., Arora, B. M., Kottantharayil, Narasimhan, K. L., Solanki, C. S., Kuber, V., Vasi, J., Kumar, A., and Sastry, O. S.
Survey Source: National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, and Solar Energy Centre, National Institute of Solar Energy, Gurgaon

2012

Development of a Visual Inspection Data Collection Tool for Evaluation of Fielded PV Module Condition
Authors: Packard, E. E., Wohlgemuth, J. H., and Kurtz, S. R.
Report: NREL/TP-5200-56154

2011

Results of the International PV Module Quality Assurance Forum and the Road Ahead
Authors: Sample, T., Kurtz, S., Wohlgemuth, J., Yamamichi, M., Amano, J., Hacke, P., Kempe, M., Kondo, M., Doi, T., and Otani, K.
Conference: 26th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition

Articles Related to Task Group Activities

Task Group 1

Updated Proposal for a Guide for Quality Management Systems for PV Manufacturing: Supplemental Requirements to ISO 9001-2008 (2012)
Authors: Ramu, G., Yamamichi, M., Zhou, W., Mikonowicz, A., Lokanath, S., Eguchi, Y., Norum, P., and Kurtz, S.
Report: NREL/TP-5J00-63742

Requirements for Quality Management System for PV Module Manufacturing (2014)
Authors: Eguchi, Y., Ramu, G., Lokanath, S. V, Yamamichi, M., Kurtz, S., Wohlgemuth, J., Yamada, E., and Kondo, M.
Conference: 2014 IEEE 40th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC)

Task Group 2

Climate Specific Thermomechanical Fatigue of Flat Plate Photovoltaic Module Solder Joints (2016)
Authors: Bosco, N., Silverman, T. J., & Kurtz, S.
Journal: Microelectronics Reliability

The Influence of PV Module Materials and Design on Solder Joint Thermal Fatigue Durability (2016)  
Authors: Bosco, N., Silverman, T. J., & Kurtz, S.
Journal: IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics

Causes of Degradation Identified by the Extended Thermal Cycling Test on Commercially Available Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules (2017)
Authors: Kawai, S., Tanahashi, T., Fukumoto, Y., Tamai, F., Masuda, A., & Kondo, M.
Journal: IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics

Task Group 3

Compendium of Photovoltaic Degradation Rates (2016)
Authors: Jordan, D. C., Kurtz, S. R., VanSant, K., & Newmiller, J.
Journal: Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications

Crystalline Silicon PV Module Degradation after 20 Years of Field Exposure Studied by Electrical Tests, Electroluminescence, and LBIC (2016)
Authors: Pozza, A., & Sample, T.
Journal: Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications

Equating Damp Heat Testing with Field Failures of PV Modules (2013)
Authors: Wohlgemuth, J. H., & Kempe, M. D.
Conference: 2013 IEEE 39th Photovoltaic

Task Group 4

Revising the Bypass Diode Test to Incorporate the Effects of Photovoltaic Module Mounting Configuration and Climate of Deployment (2018)
Authors: Shiradkar, N. S., Gade, V. S., Schneller, E. J., & Sundaram, K. B.
Conference: 2018 IEEE 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC) (A Joint Conference of 45th IEEE PVSC, 28th PVSEC & 34th EU PVSEC)

Predicting service life of bypass diodes in photovoltaic modules (2015)
Authors: Shiradkar, N., Gade, V., & Sundaram, K.
Conference: 2015 IEEE 42nd Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC)

Thermal Resistance Measurement of Bypass Diode / Junction Boxes (2015)  
Authors: Shiradkar, N., Gade, V., & Sundaram, K.
Workshop: 2015 PV Module Reliability Workshop

Task Group 5

Degradation in PV Encapsulant Strength of Attachment: An Interlaboratory Study Towards a Climate-Specific Test (2016)
Authors: Miller, D. C., Annigoni, E., Ballion, A., Bokria, J. G., Bruckman, L. S., Burns, D. M., Chen, X., Feng., J., French, R. H., Fowler, S., Honeker, C. C., Kemp, M. D., Khonkar, H., Köhl, M., Perret-Aebi, L.-E., Phillips, N. H., Scott., K. P., Sculati-Meillaud, F., and Wohlgemuth, J. H.
Conference: 2016 IEEE 43rd Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC)

Degradation in Photovoltaic Encapsulant Transmittance: Results of the First PVQAT TG5 Artificial Weathering Study (2019)
Authors: Miller, D. C., Bokria, J. G., Burns, D. M., Fowler, S., Gu, X., Hacke, P. L., Honeker, C. C., Kempe, M. D., Köhl, M., Phillips, N. H., Scott., K. P., Singh, A., Suga, S., Watanabe, S., and Zielnik, A. F.
Journal: Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications

IEC Quality Assurance TG5: UV, Temperature and Humidity (2014)
Authors: Miller, D. C., Bath, J., Köhl, M., and Shioda, T.
Workshop: Sophia Workshop on PV Module Reliability

Round Robin Testing of Various Back-Sheets for PV-Modules with Different Ultra-Violet Radiation Sources and Sample Temperatures (2015)
Authors: Köhl, M., Ballion, A., Lee, Y.-H., Wu, H.-S., Scott, K. P., Glick, S., Hacke, P., and Koo, H. J.
Conference: 31st European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition

Task Group 7

Environmental Factors for Non-uniform Dynamic Mechanical Load Test due to Wind Actions on Photovoltaic Modules (2018)
Authors: Hsu, S.-T., Lin, W.-Y., & Wu, S.-J.
Journal: Energy Procedia

Task Group 11

Evaluation of the DC bus link capacitors and power transistor modules in the qualification testing of PV inverters (2020)
Authors: Hacke, P., Clemens, D., Thiagarajan, R., Flicker, J., and Igarahsi, H.
Journal: Progress in Photovoltaics

Effects of Reactive Power on Photovoltaic Inverter Reliability and Lifetime (2019)
Authors: Thiagarajan, R., Nagarajan, A., Hacke, P., and Repins, I.
Conference: 2019 IEEE 46th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference

A Status Review of Photovoltaic Power Conversion Equipment Reliability, Safety, and Quality Assurance Protocols (2018)
Authors: Hacke, P., Lokanath, S., Williams, P., Vasan, A., Sochor, P., TamizhMani, G., Shinohara, H., and Kurtz, S.
Journal: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

Task Group 12

Review of Artificial Abrasion Test Methods for PV Module Technology (2016)
Authors: Miller, D. C., Muller, M. T., Simpson, L. J.
Reports: NREL/TP-5J00-66334

Evaluation of Soiling and Potential Mitigation Approaches on Photovoltaic Glass (2019)
Authors: Einhorn, A., Micheli, L., Miller, D. C., Simpson, L. J., Moutinho, H. R., To, B., Lanaghan, C., Muller, M. T., Toth, S., John, J. J., Warade, S., Kottantharayil, A., and Engtrakul, C.
Journal: IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics

Soiling and Cleaning: Initial Observations from 5-Year Photovoltaic Glass Coating Durability Study (2018)
Authors: Toth, S., Muller, M., Miller, D. C., Moutinho, H., To, B., Micheli, L., Linger, J., Engtrakul, C., Einhorn, A., and Simpson, L.
Journal: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

Soiling Related Abrasion and the Development of a PV Abrasion Standard (2018)
Authors: Miller, D. C., Einhorn, A., Engtrakul, C., Lanaghan, C. L., Micheli, L., Moutinho, H. R., Muller, M. T., To, B., Toth, S., and Simpson, L. J.,
Workshop: International Soiling Workshop

A Scalable Method for Extracting Soiling Rates from PV Production Data (2016)
Authors: Deceglie, M. G., Muller, M., Defreitas, Z., & Kurtz, S.
Conference: 2016 IEEE 43rd Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC)

Quantifying Soiling Loss Directly from PV Yield (2018)
Authors: Deceglie, M. G., Micheli, L., & Muller, M.
Journal: IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics

Task Group 13

IEC 63202-:2019  PV cells - Part 1: Measurement of light-induced degradation of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells.

IEC TS 63202-2:2021 PV cells - Part 2: Electroluminescence image for crystalline silicon solar cells.

    Task Group 14

    Investigation of Poor Performing PV Modules Observed in All-India Survey of PV Module Reliability 2016 (2018)
    Authors: Dubey, R., et al.
    Conference: 2018 IEEE 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion

    Task Group 15

    Research and development priorities for silicon photovoltaic module recycling to support a circular economy (2020)
    Authors: Heath, G., et al.
    Journal: Nature Energy

    Presentations

    Quantifying Reliability – The Next Step for a Rapidly Maturing PV Industry and China’s Role (2015)
    Author: Kurtz, S.
    Conference: 15th Chinese Photovoltaic Conference (Beijing, China)

    Event Proceedings

    The proceedings from these workshops and meetings contain information that is central to the history or accomplishments of PVQAT.

    NREL PV Reliability Workshop Proceedings

    International PV Module Quality Assurance Forum Meetings or Workshops

    Regional PV Module Quality Assurance Forum

    Differentiating Quality

    Additional Resources