Kiwa PVEL has released its 12th annual PV Module Reliability Scorecard for 2026, offering a detailed assessment of solar module performance and reliability across the global solar industry. The latest report recognizes 43 solar module manufacturers as “Top Performers” after they achieved strong results in the company’s Product Qualification Program (PQP) testing. Among these companies, 13 manufacturers earned the distinction for the first time, reflecting the growing competitiveness of the solar manufacturing sector.
The 2026 edition of the scorecard introduces several important updates. Kiwa PVEL expanded its testing framework by adding a new category for Ultraviolet Induced Degradation (UVID), which evaluates the impact of prolonged UV exposure on solar modules. The report also includes dedicated sections focused on key industry challenges, including module breakage and the reliability of emerging n-type solar technologies. To better track rapid technological developments, Kiwa PVEL announced plans to publish the reliability scorecard twice annually, with the next edition expected in November 2026.
While the report highlights notable achievements by top-performing manufacturers, it also reveals significant quality concerns across the broader market. According to the findings, 87% of participating manufacturers recorded at least one test failure during the evaluation process. The report notes that failure rates increased both among manufacturers and across individual module designs, indicating ongoing challenges in maintaining consistent quality standards.
Physical durability remains one of the industry’s biggest concerns. Module breakage during mechanical stress and hail impact testing emerged as the most common cause of failure. Another major issue identified was delamination, a condition where the protective layers within a solar module begin to separate. The report found that 45% of tested manufacturers experienced at least one delamination-related failure, highlighting the need for stronger manufacturing controls and material quality management.
Despite these concerns, the report also points to improvements in certain areas of module performance. Many products demonstrated lower power degradation following thermal cycling and damp heat tests, indicating better long-term durability under challenging environmental conditions. Energy yield performance also remained strong across many tested modules.
However, achieving excellence across all reliability categories continues to be rare. Of the 246 unique module models that earned Top Performer status, only five models successfully achieved top results in every reliability test conducted by Kiwa PVEL.
The findings suggest that while solar technology continues to advance and overall module performance is improving, reliability challenges remain a critical concern. As newer technologies enter the market at a rapid pace, independent testing and stricter quality assurance measures will play an essential role in ensuring long-term solar project performance and investor confidence.
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