Current Photovoltaic Research ISSN:2288-3274(Print) 2508-125X(Online)

The globally used PV qualification tests and reports the pass/fail only. Therefore, the reliability of new PV materials and parts can’t be compared quantitatively with the reliability of the PV parts and materials in the market. Global PV materials and parts companies test and compare their materials, parts, and modules using the failure-to-test (FTT). However, it takes a long accelerated stress test (AST) until failure. It also needs to test the new and existing materials and parts. Therefore, it requires excessive equipment time and cost. In order to reduce the time and cost, a new reliability enhancement methodology has been developed. It tests the PV materials, parts, and modules in the global market and stores them in the PV reliability database. It reduces the time and cost of the comparison and enhancement of PV reliability. An example of the reliability enhancement of the PV encapsulant, EVA is presented.