Daqo New Energy has announced its solar panels have joined the ranks of an elite few after excelling in potential-induced degradation (PID) tests performed at TUV Rheinland’s and PV Lab’s laboratories.
The PID testing conditions involved a negative voltage of 1,000 volts in an ambient temperature of 60°C and a relative humidity of 85% for 96 hours – among the most rigorous of industry testing standards.
According to the company, in both tests Daqo modules demonstrated a reduction in performance of less than one percent, earning Daqo solar panels a “Class A” rating.
“The superior quality of materials and workmanship in our modules results in long-term high power yields in all applications, ” said Mr. Chang, General Manager of the Daqo Module Business Unit.
Published performance characteristics of solar panels are usually those achieved under Standard Test Conditions (STC), which involves a solar irradiance of 1,000 W/m², solar spectrum of AM 1.5 and cell temperature of just 25°C.
While different brands of solar panels may perform similarly under these comparatively benign conditions; extreme stressors such as we experience in Australia tends to reveal not all solar panels are equal and their performance can vary greatly.
Daqo began making its presence felt in Australia last year when local solar provider Energy Matters introduced the modules to the Australian residential solar market.
The panels use Daqo’s ultra-pure 9N polysilicon and offer a positive power tolerance – meaning all modules are guaranteed to achieve at least their nameplate rating. Daqo New Energy Corp is one of China’s largest polysilicon manufacturers and has established a 200MW solar panel manufacturing plant in Nanjing, China.
The company’s future looks particularly bright after it was recently revealed Daqo is one of only 12 China-based solar manufacturers that would be eligible to receive support from the Chinese government.
