Can two modules with the same power rating deliver different performance?

“Absolutely. Nominal power corresponds to the maximum value measured under standard test conditions, but it is only one of the parameters that should be considered. On its own, it does not indicate how much energy the module will actually produce throughout the day, nor how well it will maintain its performance over the years after exposure to temperature fluctuations, humidity, wind, snow, and hail.”

Which construction features have the greatest impact on robustness?

“The mechanical resistance of a module depends on the balance of the entire design and cannot be attributed to any single element.”

“When a module is subjected to mechanical stress, forces are generated and distributed throughout the entire structure. The quality of the materials used—from the glass and frame to the encapsulant and cells—the treatments applied to them, and the way all these elements are integrated therefore become crucial.”

“In Peimar’s Made in Italy modules, we use 3.2 mm single glass, while our bifacial modules feature a 2+2 mm dual-glass configuration, which helps increase overall rigidity and limit deflection under load. Glass thickness alone does not determine a module’s robustness: even significantly different construction architectures can provide high mechanical resistance when properly designed.”

“Tempering increases the glass’s resistance to impacts, mechanical loads, and thermal shocks, while the module and frame structure helps distribute loads correctly.”

“The quality of the lamination process is also essential to protect the cells and preserve their integrity throughout the module’s operating life.”

“Robustness is therefore the result of the interaction between materials, treatments, structure, and manufacturing process quality.”

Do certifications make it possible to distinguish the most resistant modules?

“Certifications demonstrate compliance with the requirements established by standards through standardized and repeatable tests designed to be applied according to common criteria, including across different laboratories.”

“However, this does not mean that all certified modules are equivalent, nor that passing a specific test guarantees resistance to every possible environmental condition. It is important to consider which tests have been carried out and how relevant they are to the conditions in which the module will operate.”

“Peimar modules are certified according to IEC 61215, which covers module design qualification and performance testing, and IEC 61730, which addresses construction and electrical safety. The range also includes solutions subjected to specific tests for particularly challenging environments, such as those set out in IEC 61701 for salt mist, IEC 60068-2-68 for sand and dust, and IEC 62716 for ammonia, which is often particularly relevant in agrivoltaic and agricultural solar applications.”

“Certifications therefore provide a better understanding of the operating conditions for which a module has been designed and tested, but they do not make it possible to establish a ranking of the most robust products on the market.”

How do Peimar modules address these quality and reliability requirements?

“At Peimar, we consider module quality to be the result of a process that must be controlled at every stage. For this reason, we pay particular attention to component selection and traceability, consistency in their characteristics, and the checks performed throughout production. The goal is not simply to achieve good performance when the module is new, but to maintain that performance throughout its operating life.”

“Particular attention is also paid to PID (Potential Induced Degradation), a phenomenon that can cause a progressive loss of performance under certain voltage, temperature, and humidity conditions. Another important aspect is performance under low-irradiance conditions, which helps ensure good energy production even when sunlight is less intense.”

“Ultimately, the same wattage does not necessarily mean the same quality, and a higher nominal power rating does not automatically translate into greater energy production—whether daily, annually, or over the entire lifetime of the system. What also matters is the module’s ability to maintain its performance and reliability over time.”