Fraunhofer LeTID test confirms top quality of IBC SOLAR modules

Modules of IBC SOLAR’s own brand show particularly high performance-stability in Fraunhofer CSP’s LeTID test.

Bad Staffelstein, March 22, 2022 – IBC SOLAR, a leading global provider of photovoltaics (PV) and energy storage, impresses with its own-brand modules in a LeTID test conducted by the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP. Specifically, the research institution examined the loss of power of the solar modules in the event of sustained strong incidence of light or high temperatures. All of the IBC SOLAR modules selected by Fraunhofer CSP are characterised by very low degradation and completed the test procedure with excellent results.

At the end of last year, Fraunhofer CSP examined all current IBC SOLAR module types with regards to susceptibility to „Light and elevated Temperature Induced Degradation (LeTID)“. In the process, IBC SOLAR modules received a quality certificate for excellent LeTID stability. LeTID is triggered by excess charge carriers caused either by illumination or by electric current at temperatures above 50°C. In susceptible modules, this leads to a power loss of up to 10 percent, affecting PERC solar cells in particular. At the Fraunhofer Center, this susceptibility to degradation has been intensively researched in recent years.

For the current investigation, Fraunhofer CSP randomly selected four PERC modules each from IBC SOLAR’s own brand. In the course of the test, the modules were exposed to different conditions and temperatures in a climate chamber over a longer period of time. In order to simulate the most realistic environmental conditions possible for the continuous use of PERC modules, the module temperature must be at least 75°C and the humidity must be 10 percent, while the modules are subjected to a defined current flow. The minimum test time is 324 hours (approximately 2 weeks). IBC SOLAR’s PERC modules withstood the extreme conditions and performed with a particularly low power loss. This result proves the very low degradation that IBC SOLAR’s own brand modules exhibit over their entire lifetime.

„We are very pleased with this excellent resultʺ, commented Stefan Horstmann, COO of IBC SOLAR AG. „Quality is more than just a promise for us. The outstanding performance of our modules not only reflects our corporate philosophy, but also proves that our extensive quality assurance measures for our own brands are paying off,“ he adds.

ʺIt is always gratifying when modules perform so well in our tests, as in the case for IBC SOLAR. Compliance with global quality standards is of great importance, as is the careful testing of the various modulesʺ, says Dr. Bengt Jäckel, head of the Modules, Components and Manufacturing Group at Fraunhofer CSP.

The globally valid test specification IEC TS 63342, which IBC SOLAR was involved in developing at an early stage, serves as the basis for the test. The main concern of all those involved was and is to ensure long-term quality standards in the photovoltaic sector.

About IBC SOLAR

IBC SOLAR is a leading global provider of photovoltaic and energy storage solutions and services. The company offers complete systems and covers the entire product range from planning to the turnkey handover of photovoltaic systems. The product range comprises solar parks, self-consumption systems for commercial enterprises and private households and off-grid photovoltaic systems. As a project developer and general contractor, IBC SOLAR implements and markets major solar projects worldwide. The manufacturer-independent system house guarantees the highest quality for all projects and has currently implemented photovoltaic systems with an output of 6 gigawatts worldwide. IBC SOLAR works with a close network of Premium Partners and supports them with their own software tools for planning and designing grid-connected systems including storage systems. IBC SOLAR offers customised packages for energy providers, municipal utilities, and providers of photovoltaic solutions. The company ensure the best possible output of solar parks through technical management and monitoring.

IBC SOLAR was founded by Udo Möhrstedt in Bad Staffelstein in 1982 who has managed the company as the Chairman of the Executive Board to date. The system house is a pioneer of the energy turnaround in Germany and is especially committed to energy cooperatives with its own planned public solar parks. The company is active internationally with numerous regional companies, sales offices and partner companies in more than 30 countries.

About Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP

The Fraunhofer CSP is your partner for reliability evaluation of solar cells, modules and systems under laboratory and application conditions as well as for chemical, electrical, optical and microstructural material and component characterization. Based on our understanding of failure mechanisms, we develop measurement methods, devices and manufacturing processes for components and materials with increased reliability. We conduct applied research in the fields of silicon crystallization, PV 4.0, solar cell characterization and module technology. Together with our customers, we develop new technologies, manufacturing processes and product concepts along the entire photovoltaic value chain.

The Fraunhofer CSP was founded in 2007 as a joint facility of the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructures of Materials and Systems IMWS and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. www.csp.fraunhofer.de/en

Media contact IBC SOLAR:

IBC SOLAR AG
Annika Bloem (Press Officer)
Am Hochgericht 10
DE-96231 Bad Staffelstein, Germany
Tel.: +49 9573 / 92 24 782
presse@ibc-solar.de

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