pv magazine test results

pv magazine test is designed to help investors in their module purchasing process, while at the same time allowing manufacturers to spot problems and improve their production practices. The measurements are carried out in GSolar’s test laboratory in Xi’an, China. To ensure the quality of Gsolar’s tests, pv magazine chose CEA as a partner. It acts as an independent third-party expert, and monitors all steps of the testing program to ensure measurement protocols are respected.

Test results

Product#Test dateManufacturersProductTypeName plate power (W)Visual GradeEL GradeLow Irradiance GradePmax temperature coefficient GradePID Loss GradeAverageSample selection methodLID GradeLeTID Grade
126/07/2017Jolywood JW-D60N-305 Bifacial N-PERT30546100897781801/-
214/07/2017Phono MWT-60-280 Multi MWT280100100535998771/-
326/07/2017Risen RSM60-6-270PMulti2707577735081701/-
413/07/2017Perlight PLM-300M-60PERC3008439958072781/-
709/08/2017LONGi LR6-60PE-310M 1PERC310100100757575801/-
809/08/2017Aiduo AD280-60SMono31063100635568661/-
909/08/2017Aiduo AD265-60PMulti28010061625872681/-
1009/08/2017Recom RCM-275-6MBMono2656977645876681/-
1215/01/2018NSP D6LM305E3APERC305100100816781811/-
1315/01/2018Jinko JKM285M-60Mono2851007965556568269-
1415/01/2018JA JAM60S01-300/PRPERC3001004075697773281-
1601/02/2018LONGi LR6-60PE-310MPERC310100100758193871/-
1701/02/2018NSP D6L295K3ABifacial PERC3107677100726477178-
1802/07/2018LONGi LR6-60BP-300MBifacial PERC300100100578377781/-
2007/11/2018Phono PS380MH-24/THPERC38010079527781741/-
2122/02/2019Risen RSM120-6-320MPERC320100100637778781/-
2228/04/2019Znshine ZXP6-60-275/PMulti275100100655188751/-
2625/07/2019LONGi LR6-72HPH375Bifacial PERC375100100647794841/-
2716/12/2019Jolywood JW-D72N-400Bifacial TOPcon400100100658087823/-
2823/03/2020Risen RSM114-6-405BMDGBifacial PERC405100100587764733/-
2926/05/2020CSI CS3W-430PERC4301004967826872288-
3026/05/2020GCL GCL-M3/72H-380Cast PERC380100100588167751/-
3105/09/2020JA JAM60S10-345/MRPERC34510048657380732/-
3323/04/2021Trina TSM-450DE17M(II) PERC4501007957917277283-
3406/04/2021JA JAM72D20-445MB Bifacial PERC44572100589092812/-
3506/04/2021JA JAM72S20-445MRPERC445100100559383822/-
3626/08/2021JAJAM72S30-540MRPERC5401001004888948228774
3826/08/2021LONGiLR5-72HBD-535MBifacial PERC535100100629196873/98
4026/08/2021TrinaTSM-505DE18MPERC5051001005491100862/100
4123/10/2022TongweiTH545 PMB6 58SDCPERC5451001007786868718398
4216/5/2023DAS SolarDH144NA-570Bifacial TOPcon570100100679985873/-
4316/6/2023TongweiTWMND-72HDxxxBifacial TOPcon5651001006410185873/-
4423/08/2023AikoAIKO-A600-MAH72MwN-type Back Contact6001001004310889843/
4628/12/2023Trina TSM-NEG9RC.27 425WBifacial TOPcon425100100709810092399-
4807/09/2023LONGi LR5-72-HTH 585p-type Back Contact585100100671038287197-
5011/08/2023Astronergy CHSM72N(DG)/F-BHBifacial TOPcon580100100631038788390-
5124/09/2023Risen RSM132-8-700BHDG Bifacial HJT7001001006511169853100-
5331/10/2023SEG Solar SEG-575-BTA-BG Bifacial TOPcon575100100601049088392-

Modules are given a grade from 0 to 100 points for each test. In calculating the average grade of the module, each individual test grade is given a certain weighting as shown in the table. The tests “Visual inspection” and “EL image inspection” each get a 10% weighting, while the tests “Low irradiance efficiency loss” and “Pmax temperature coefficient” each receive a 25% weighting. Given the importance of PID resistance, the test for “PID loss” receives the highest weighting, namely 30%.
Sample method categorization: 1. sample randomly selected by CEA from a large production lot. 2. Sample purchased from the market by CEA 3. Sample provided by supplier, without random selection

Related articles

The following two articles explain the relevance of each test procedure. Please be aware, that we have changed the test grading system after publication, from a letter-based system to a numeric system (0 to 100). Accordingly, the following two articles in the September 2017 issue of pv magazine (global edition) still use the original letter-based system. In 2021 the test installation was upgraded to accomodate large format modules, and at the start of 2022 the test protocol was updated to include comprehensive testing for light elevated temperature induced degradation (LETID).

Introduction to LETID testing
Jan. 2022

LETID (light and elevated temperature-induced degradation) is a mode of degradation of crystalline silicon PV cells that was identified and researched a few years ago. The initial research was spearheaded by Q Cells, which also coined the term LETID in 2015, with Australia’s University of New South Wales contributing important work on the root causes and mechanism.

Big modules, new beginnings
Nov. 2021

Earlier this year, the pv magazine test outdoor array in Xi’an, China underwent extensive modifications so it could accommodate the form factors and electrical characteristics of new modules based on larger wafer formats. George Touloupas, senior director of technology and quality at CEA, takes us through the new system and the reasons why the modifications were needed, as well as the role of newly installed microinverters supplied by AP systems.

The new module test
Sept. 2017

Module reliability: pv magazine’s new module test is kicking off. The first candidate is Jolywood with its bifacial n-Pert module. The test is designed to help investors in their module purchasing process, while at the same time allowing manufacturers to spot problems and improve their production processes.

Method for the modules
Sept 2017

Testing methodology: George Touloupas, Director of Technology and Quality at CEA, gives a detailed account of the methodology behind pv magazine test, and explains the results from the first round of testing.

Read all related magazine articles here.

This page was last updated on July 14, 2023.