News

Vlad Roskin Vlad Roskin

Tracked Changes

The need for greater supply chain traceability has pushed the PV industry to adapt, with new procedures to support documentation at each stage of manufacturing. CEA’s senior ESG and traceability project manager Nicola Licata explains how evolving processes are preparing the PV industry to face future challenges.

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Vlad Roskin Vlad Roskin

BESS Prices in US Market to Fall a Further 18% in 2024, Says CEA

In this Energy Storage News article, CEA forecasts an 18% price decline for containerized Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) solutions in the US by 2024, with 20-foot DC container costs reducing to an average of $148/kWh. This trend of decreasing prices is attributed to automation advancements, competitive market dynamics, and falling lithium carbonate prices.

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Vlad Roskin Vlad Roskin

Cracking Cell Defect Detection

After years of improving quality standards, solar cell cracking appears to be on the rise again, perhaps due to new manufacturers entering the sector. Clean Energy Associates’ (CEA) senior engineering manager Claire Kearns-McCoy considers ways to stop the rot.

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PV Mag Test Vlad Roskin PV Mag Test Vlad Roskin

pv magazine test: October 2023 Results

October 2023 batch of energy yield results from the pv magazine outdoor test field in Xi’an, China. The average bifacial boost is 10.20%. As the energy yield figures of several top-performing products are very close, CEA is working on a new ranking system that will be more representative of product performance.

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Reports & White Papers, Solar Vlad Roskin Reports & White Papers, Solar Vlad Roskin

Top Solar PV Module Defects and Damage in the Field

Intertek CEA's extensive field research unveils the hidden threats in solar PV modules, emphasizing the critical role of Electroluminescence (EL) testing in detecting unseen damages. Our findings highlight the lifecycle of module defects, the surge in microcracks, and the pivotal importance of visual inspections in identifying issues often missed by other methods.

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Vlad Roskin Vlad Roskin

Weather-proofing Wisdom

Going above and beyond can drive up costs when it comes to solar project features such as racking height and module glass strength. But in an ever-warming world, it could take only one extreme weather event to destroy investments. Clean Energy Associates VP - Technology Paul Wormser offers a few tips for developers.

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Webinars, Solar, Procurement Vlad Roskin Webinars, Solar, Procurement Vlad Roskin

The Holistic Approach to Procuring Quality PV Modules: Contract Diligently, Test Thoroughly, Inspect Carefully

The solar industry is experiencing the highest demand, fastest technological innovation, and greatest uncertainty in its history. Furthermore, in the wake of the recent AD/CVD investigation announcement, many PV buyers may turn to suppliers they have not purchased from before. What can PV module buyers be doing to mitigate quality risk?

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Vlad Roskin Vlad Roskin

New Technologies, New Risks: Edge Ribbon Cracking

While performing PV module electroluminescence (EL) inspections in the field, a new type of microcrack associated with new module and cell technologies has been spotted. They are known as edge ribbon cracks, and have been seen to grow during shipping and installation. CEA’s Claire Kearns-McCoy and George Touloupas offer a closer look.

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