Canadian Solar has announced that its solar modules have passed two high-voltage endurance tests. The Photovoltaic Institute (PI) Berlin tested the company's CS6-poly-series, and the PV Evolution Labs assessed the company's CS5-mono-series and CS6-poly-series.
The tests measured the sensitivity of the module output parameters when the modules were exposed to high system voltages – formally known as potential induced degradation (PID). In compliance with the standard set by the PI Berlin, TUV Rhineland and the VDE (Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies), Canadian Solar's modules were exposed to a negative socket voltage of 1,000 volts.
During the test, the grounded module front is covered in either aluminum foil or a layer of water. The before-and-after performance rate was measured with a flasher under standard test conditions, and the Canadian Solar module performance rate was found to be higher than 98% following the endurance test, according to the company.
Canadian Solar then requested PI Berlin to double the standard stress time. All of the Canadian Solar modules demonstrated very little further degradation during the additional aging period, and the final results still qualified for PID Class A at PI Berlin, Canadian Solar explains.
The PID test method applied by PI Berlin was developed by TUV Rhineland, the PI Berlin, the VDE and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in conjunction with solar companies.
