News and events

PV Evolution Labs (PVEL), Extel Energy, and PI Berlin have unified under the Kiwa brand. Dutch company Kiwa, which has acquired the three PV testing laboratories over the past three years, says it aims to more effectively present its range of services for the solar industry.

: In this article from Solar Power World, Kiwa PVEL’s Tristan Erion-Lorico talks about the risks and realities of shopping and storage PV modules.

As the strategic partner of this event, Kiwa PVEL is excited to invite you to the heart of California's wine country for this premier solar industry gathering. Taking place May 21st - 22nd, this event promises to blend in-depth professional discussions with the renowned pleasures of Napa Valley, Book with code KIWAPVEL20 to save 20% on your tickets!

Join Kiwa PVEL and Exawatt/CRU for an insightful webinar where we explore the latest insights from our Energy Storage Technology and Cost (ESTAC) and Solar Technology and Cost (STAC) reports. Discover the implications of oversupply dynamics, delve into manufacturing expansion efforts beyond China, and gain crucial knowledge on the future of BESS installations in the US market. Wednesday, May 8 at 11am ET.

Kiwa PVEL’s Head of International Business Development presented the latest on PV module testing trends at the 2024 SolarEx conference in Istanbul, Turkey. Click here to view the presentation

In this webinar, experts from PVEL and Brown & Brown Risk Solutions provided an overview of microcracking risks, including the current challenges for developers and insurers, along with insights and the latest results from Kiwa PVEL’s extended reliability testing. An overview of insurance claims related to cell cracks and limitations for insurance coverage was also presented.

Access the February 14th webinar where we took a closer look at the Q1’24 STAC report, and gave an introduction to Exawatt’s module tracker. The event included a live Q&A, where audience questions on solar technology and cost questions were answered by our experts.

Kiwa PVEL’s Senior Engineer Archana Sinha presentation on UVID in PV cells from the annual NREL PV Reliability Workshop

Kiwa PVEL’s VP of Technical Operations Todd Karin, PhD. poster on cell cracking from the annual NREL PV Reliability Workshop

Reports of broken module glass with no obvious cause have begun to crop up at large PV projects. Module design, glass manufacturing, and interactions in the field between modules and trackers are at play and a clear solution has yet to emerge. Early signs suggest an update to certification standards may be needed.

Kiwa PVEL’s hail testing has uncovered some unlikely good news about the impact of hail damage to PV modules. Although growing in prevalence, hail damage to PV modules might not be as worrisome a long-term problem as once feared.

With the waiver of AD/CVD circumvention tariffs on SE Asian cells and modules that employ Chinese wafers set to expire in June this year, there are several key issues for the U.S. solar market. Kiwa PVEL’s Max Macpherson explains the potential for manufacturers to be able to sidestep the tariffs.

Solar testing group Kiwa PVEL announces upgrades to its suite of extended reliability and performance tests, the Product Qualification Program (PQP), including new hail stress updates.

In this Suncast episode, dive into Kiwa PVEL's rigorous testing process, the role of the Scorecard, and insights into what the data tells us as buyers about both the evolution of the technology and the importance of reliability testing. Listeners will learn about emerging technologies, like n-type Topcon, strategies to reduce high failure rates, India's rise in solar manufacturing, and upcoming industry trends, including manufacturing volumes and top performers!

Kiwa PVEL’s PQP results have become a prerequisite of sorts for foreign module manufacturers to sell into the U.S., as tax and debt equity investors typically require developers to procure modules that have undergone the firm's tests. Do you know what's in your module?