NREL Hosts PV Module Reliability Workshop for Industry

March 1, 2016 | By Linh Truong | Contact media relations

Nearly 200 researchers from more than 100 companies and representing 16 countries attended the 7th annual PV Module Reliability Workshop, held Feb. 23-25, 2016, in Golden, Colo.

The program was designed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories and the photovoltaic (PV) industry.

"NREL's PV Module Reliability Workshop is unique in its requirement for all organizations to give an oral or poster presentation," said Sarah Kurtz, NREL research fellow and group manager of the PV Module Reliability Test and Evaluation Group. "When everyone shares a little information, everyone can take home a lot of information."

The participants gave 55 presentations and presented 83 posters. Traditional topics discussed included crystalline silicon module reliability, thin film module reliability, and the connection between cost and reliability.

One day was dedicated to the reliability of PV systems, including general reliability of PV systems, inverters, and utility-scale systems. Special sessions this year examined modules in extreme climates, soiling, and rapid shutdown of PV systems.

The 2016 Photovoltaic Module Reliability Workshop was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office. The workshop was chaired by NREL Scientist David Miller with a program committee representing NREL, DOE, Sandia National Laboratories, and various segments of the industry. 

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