pv magazine test is designed to help investors in their module purchasing process, while at the same time allowing manufacturers to spot problems and improve their production practices. The measurements are carried out in GSolar’s test laboratory in Xi’an, China. To ensure the quality of Gsolar’s tests, pv magazine chose CEA as a partner. It acts as an independent third-party expert, and monitors all steps of the testing program to ensure measurement protocols are respected.
Test results
Modules are given a grade from 0 to 100 points for each test. In calculating the average grade of the module, each individual test grade is given a certain weighting as shown in the table. The tests “Visual inspection” and “EL image inspection” each get a 10% weighting, while the tests “Low irradiance efficiency loss” and “Pmax temperature coefficient” each receive a 25% weighting. Given the importance of PID resistance, the test for “PID loss” receives the highest weighting, namely 30%.
Sample method categorization: 1. sample randomly selected by CEA from a large production lot. 2. Sample purchased from the market by CEA 3. Sample provided by supplier, without random selection
Related articles
Since its beginnings in 2017, the pv magazine test program has evolved with module technology, adding new procedures to handle larger module formats, as well as to test for light elevated temperature induced degradation, and most recently in 2025 for ultraviolet-induced degradation.
At the start of 2025 the program underwent a major overhaul, moving its lab-based testing to the Yangtze Institute of Solar Technology (YIST) in Yinchuan, and the outdoor testing to a site owned be China National Center of Supervision and Inspection on Solar PV Products Quality and operated by YIST. The articles below chart the development of pv magazine test as we move to keep the program at the cutting edge of solar technology.
pv magazine test 2.0
Mar. 2025
After more than seven years, pv magazine test is entering a new phase. Significant changes are on the horizon as we update and overhaul the program. George Touloupas, vice president for environmental, social, and corporate governance and new services at Clean Energy Associates (CEA), and Huatian Xu, director of technology and quality at CEA, introduce the new “pv magazine test 2.0” setup to assess PV modules in the lab and outdoors.
Introduction to LETID testing
Jan. 2022
LETID (light and elevated temperature-induced degradation) is a mode of degradation of crystalline silicon PV cells that was identified and researched a few years ago. The initial research was spearheaded by Q Cells, which also coined the term LETID in 2015, with Australia’s University of New South Wales contributing important work on the root causes and mechanism.
Big modules, new beginnings
Nov. 2021
Earlier this year, the pv magazine test outdoor array in Xi’an, China underwent extensive modifications so it could accommodate the form factors and electrical characteristics of new modules based on larger wafer formats. George Touloupas, senior director of technology and quality at CEA, takes us through the new system and the reasons why the modifications were needed, as well as the role of newly installed microinverters supplied by AP systems.
The new module test
Sept. 2017
Module reliability: pv magazine’s new module test is kicking off. The first candidate is Jolywood with its bifacial n-Pert module. The test is designed to help investors in their module purchasing process, while at the same time allowing manufacturers to spot problems and improve their production processes.
Method for the modules
Sept 2017
Testing methodology: George Touloupas, Director of Technology and Quality at CEA, gives a detailed account of the methodology behind pv magazine test, and explains the results from the first round of testing.
Read all related magazine articles here.
This page was last updated on March 21, 2025.