First Solar’s Series 6 PV module completes CSA/ANSI C450 Test Protocol

First Solar Inc of Tempe, AZ, USA says that its Series 6 cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) module technology has met completion criteria in the newly published CSA/ANSI C450, PV Module Testing Protocol for Quality Assurance, which is administered by CFV Solar Test Laboratory in Albuquerque, NM, the ISO17025-accredited PV test center that is jointly owned by the standards and research organizations CSA Group, Fraunhofer ISE and Fraunhofer CSE. The test results provide confidence in the harsh-climate durability and long-term performance of Series 6 modules, says First Solar.

“CSA/ANSI C450 is the first publicly available standard to address extended stress testing of PV modules beyond that required for safety certification and qualification,” says Dana Parmenter, CSA Group’s VP of industrial. “The public nature of the standard, with a Technical Committee consisting of key stakeholders in the PV industry, ushers in a new era of transparency and standardization for project developers, independent engineers and investors looking to evaluate module quality and reduce potential risks.”

CSA/ANSI C450 consists of a portfolio of extended environmental tests including temperature cycling, damp heat exposure, mechanical load testing, UV exposure and PID (potential induced degradation) testing. The test protocols were established because of their effectiveness in replicating actual field failure experiences.

“This is a significant milestone demonstrating the robustness of our technology,” says Lou Trippel, First Solar’s VP of product management. “Our relentless pursuit of rapid innovation and evolutionary design has paid off with a unique market offering that enables maximizing value and reducing risk,” he adds.

The Series 6 module attained IEC and UL certification earlier this year, so CSA/ANSI C450 is the third of three major independent laboratory tests completed in 2018 that support Series 6 reliability and durability in extreme conditions. In October, VDE completed successful Thresher Test evaluation of the Series 6 module, followed by Long Term Sequential testing in November.

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