Photon Laboratory Solar Panel Yield Measurement Results 2013

By Kristy Hoare on in Solar Technology

Photon is well known in the industry as a prestigious magazine and conference organizer. Apart of the Photon Group is Photon Laboratory, which has been monitoring the performance of solar panels since 2009. They measure the yield produced in relation to the power of each panel and factor in the radiation at the testing site.

Photon tests solar modules under standard conditions (STC) as well as testing in an outdoor field, testing under real-world conditions for real results. They have over 170 different models installed in the test field. They aim to not only be the largest testing facility but also the most accurate.

The performance ratio measurement for each panel describes the relationship between the actual and theoretically possible energy outputs. The closer the value is to 100% the more efficiently it operates. It is the most important variable for evaluating the efficiency of a solar panel, therefore this test is a great way to see if a solar panel will live up to expectations.

Photon's 2013 Outdoor Test Results

2013 Rank Manufacturer Model Performance Ratio (%)
1 Sopray Energy SR-190 94.0
2 Risen Energy SYP190S-M 93.8
3 ET Solar Industry ET-M660250WW 93.4
4 Hanwha Q-Cells Q.PRO-G2 235 93.3
5 Sonalis SL190TU-36M 93.3
6 Risen Energy SYP250M 93.1
7 CSG PVTech CSG240M2 93.1
8 Renesola JC245M-24/Bbv 93.1
9 Sopray Energy SR-156P-235 93.0
10 CSG PVTech CSG250S2 93.0
11 RealForce Power RF-240P60 92.8
12 Seraphim Solar System SRP-220-6PB 92.6
13 Jinko Solar JKM190M-72 92.6
14 Jinko Solar JKM275P 93.6
15 Siliken SLK60P6L 230Wp 92.4
16 ET Solar Industry ET-P660240 92.2
17 JA Solar Technology JAM6-60-250/SI 92.1
18 REC Premium 210 92.1
19 CSG PV Tech CSG180S1-35/36 92.1
20 Hareon Solar Technology HR-230P-18/Bb 92.1

The rankings of other solar panels that New Zealand installers are using include:

Ranking 26 - CNPV Solar Power - CNPV220P - 91.8%

Ranking 41 - Phono Solar - PS230P029/U - 91.1%

Ranking 79 - Trina Solar - TSM-180DC01 - 90.3%

Click here to see the full list.

Also to note that SunPower hit the record high in 2012 with 95.2%, but due to problems with Photons new testing equipment the performance was not measured correctly and therefore not published in the 2013 report. Yingli's Panda module, although performed particularly well also was not published due to measurement difficulties.

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