26 February 2015

First Solar completes Atlas 25+ testing program

Atlas Material Testing Technology LLC of Mt. Prospect, IL, USA, which provides weathering technology and services, says that cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film photovoltaic module maker First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA has completed the Atlas 25+ Comprehensive PV Durability Testing program and received test result certification from Atlas' inspection, verification, testing and certification partner SGS.

The Atlas 25+ protocol is a proprietary multi-dimensional durability test program designed to subject photovoltaic modules to the environmental degradation stresses that can be expected over long-term service. The firm says that it provides manufacturers with the data needed to demonstrate long-term durability and to support warranty and performance claims, while reducing the costs associated with aftermarket product failure.

The Atlas 25+ program exposes solar panels to a series of stresses, including UV-A/UV-B exposure, salt spray corrosion, condensing humidity, solar/thermal humidity cycle, solar/thermal humidity freeze cycle, Arizona and Florida solar tracking – including peak summer – and initial, final and multiple interval measurements.  In order to receive SGS certification, modules are required to have less than 8% degradation over the testing period.

First Solar joins PV firms such as SunPower, LG and Suntech in passing the Atlas 25+ testing protocol.

Tags: First Solar Thin-film photovoltaic CdTe

Visit: www.firstsolar.com

Visit: www.atlas-mts.com