China-based PV module manufacturer Suntech has confirmed it received four ‘Top Performer’ status in the PV Evolution Labs (PVEL) ‘2020 PV Module Reliability Scorecard’ report that included its mono PERC half-cell module.

The annual ‘2020 PV Module Reliability Scorecard’ has been published in partnership with DNV GL and was announced in collaboration with PV Tech via its TechTalk Webinar Series.

Suntech noted that it received ‘Top Performer’ status in both PVEL’s thermal cycling (TC) test and PID (Potential-Induced Degradation) test, requiring no more than a 2% degradation deviation from standard tested performance.

Vincent Cao, Vice President of Suntech said, "This is the third time that Suntech is included in the top performer list over the past 3 years since Suntech won the honor in 2018. It's not only a high affirmation of Suntech reliability, but also the greatest recognition of Suntech quality. The outstanding performance of the mono PERC half-cell module is a result of Suntech strict management of raw materials, advanced production technology, and commitment to quality control that each module must go through 52 inspection steps.

Industry-leading EL testing equipment has been adopted for two rounds of 100% full EL inspection for each module, thus guaranteeing each module is reliable in quality, conversion efficiency, and durable in service to the maximum extent via the most stringent quality inspection,” noted Cao.

According to PV Tech’s analysis of the 2020 scorecard, Suntech’s STPxxxS-24/Vfh and STPxxxS-20/Wfh modules both achieved Top Performer recognition in the TS and PID tests.

There were nine PV module manufacturers that achieved Top Performer status in the thermal cycling tests in 2019, compared to 17 manufacturers in the 2020 TC tests, according to PV Tech’s analysis.
A total of 54 different modules were recognised as Top Performers in the TC test. In 2019, 24 different modules received Top Performer recognition in this test.

The number of PV manufacturers achieving PID test Top Performer status in the 2020 scorecard was 20 out of 22 companies reported to have been in the tests that received at least one Top Performer award from the four historical reliability testing regimes.

A total of 47 different modules achieved Top Performer status in the PID tests in 2020 scorecard, compared to 34 different modules in the 2019 report, according to PV Tech’s analysis.