New endurance test confirms: SCHOTT Solar modules even stand up to air that contains salt

SCHOTT Solar AG again reports that its quality strategy has been confirmed by TÜV Rheinland: the modules from the SCHOTT PERFORM POLY series have now passed the salt spray corrosion test at the most difficult level of 6. This test came into effect in December 2011 as the IEC standard 61701: 2011 Ed.2. The company received the official certificate from TÜV Rheinland at the end of February. Furthermore, SCHOTT Solar will be submitting a declaration of identical construction for other models. SCHOTT Solar thus documents that high-quality modules from this German manufacturer guarantee reliable electricity yields for years, even under the most challenging conditions.

To make sure that an investment in a solar system pays off, the modules must be capable of generating high electricity yields for decades and stand up to various environmental influences, including salty air, for example. “This issue is obviously particularly important for modules that are to be installed in coastal areas. Nevertheless, air can contain salt even further inland. The remains it leaves behind on the modules can cause corrosive damages after it rains again. The TÜV Rheinland test has confirmed that this is not the case with SCHOTT Solar modules,” explains Christian Thiemann, Product Marketing Manager for SCHOTT Solar.

The new extreme test developed by TÜV Rheinland subjects modules to the stress that they would experience in coastal areas, for example. The new most challenging level of difficulty 6 is unique in that it calls for modules to be subjected to eight test cycles in 56 days. Here, the modules are sprayed with salt water for two hours at a time, then attacked by a 5% sodium chloride solution and finally stored at 40°C and 93% humidity for 20 hours.

“As a matter of principle, we test SCHOTT Solar modules at our own test facilities twice as strictly as the international IEC standard calls for. The new salt spray test now also confirms that modules from SCHOTT Solar offer long-term stability even under the most challenging conditions,” Thiemann adds.

Guarantee applies even near the sea

SCHOTT Solar also offers its normal linear performance guarantee that ranges from between 25 and 30 years depending on the type of module for installations close to the sea. Customers are on the safe side with the SCHOTT PERFORM POLY assuming that they are installed properly in accordance with the mounting and installation instructions that apply when the modules are to be installed and the modules do not come into direct contact with salt water and the materials used in the frame and mounting system are resistant to electrical corrosion.