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					</table>Independent and reliable testing labs for solar modules ensure that even small manufacturers without an established brand name can distinguish themselves based on their quality. It also comforts project developers who have been buying the product for the last 30 years and more, Sishir Garemella, Head of International BD at <a href="https://www.pvel.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PVEL</a>, said in an interview on the sidelines of the <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/funding-for-electrolyzer-rd-key-to-indias-green-hydrogen-efforts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Renewables Summit 2023</a>.
Here are the excerpts from the interview.
Tell us about PVEL’s services.
PVEL is a reliability testing lab based out of California and performs tests on solar modules for downstream companies in the U.S. or any other market.
These companies could be in the engineering, procurement, construction business, developers, financiers— anybody buying solar modules. They ask for rigorous testing to ensure that the panels are good to run for 25-30 years or more.
All leading global manufacturers would send us their modules, and we put them in our flagship program called Product Qualification Program, which involves a long 7–8-month lab process plus a 12-month field program.
We have designed this program to mimic real-world conditions for 25 years to see how these modules work under duress.
While we have primarily been in the U.S. over the years, we have developed pockets of manufacturing testing outside the U.S. in the last couple of years.
India’s solar module exports picked up last year. What’s your take on the quality of products manufactured in the country?
There are better ways to look at solar than associating quality with a certain brand name. Our program has steps where we distinguish ourselves from any other regular certification testing.
The first step is witnessing the modules manufactured before us, removing the golden sample risk. After that, these modules are shipped to California, where they are tested on a program that assesses the underlying material. So the brand is of little concern.
It is more to do with how materials work with the rigorous testing conditions of heat, humidity, cold, and everything that represents the field conditions.
For example, thermal cycling ISC6125 stipulates 200 cycles, we do 600; damp heat is for 1,000 hours, and we do 2,000 hours.
It is an unbiased third-party independent view on things as they are.
What’s your role in facilitating Indian module manufacturers looking to export?
Many countries pushing for local manufacturing have local demand with mature private equity and asset managers, but they also have an ambition to export because a country like the U.S. needs huge quantities for deployment.
They seek a China+1 strategy. If India or any other country wants to sell to the U.S. or any other mature market, going through the quality and reliability rigor is very critical.
We position ourselves as an independent lab for two reasons: on the upstream side, manufacturers can equip themselves with the quality and reliability parameters versus other competitors in the market.
On the downstream side, we provide comfort to developers that we have seen the testing. And especially when the module technology is rapidly changing, like Mono PERC, TOPCon, and HJT. And the latest isn’t necessarily the best.
So, both from upstream and downstream perspectives, quality is of utmost importance at this stage of solar evolution.
What should Indian manufacturers know to become good at exports?
The owner of a plant is becoming more mature, they are becoming larger, so you have large sizes of pension funds coming in. And they value warrantee, and they value word, law, and spirit. If you look at the U.S., if there is a claim on the insurance or a fault, they will get after you and ensure you correct it.
So, a general approach away from the lackadaisical attitude is to be more serious about relationships with the buyer.
Now, how is that demonstrated? Apart from independent testing, a skilled workforce, and commitment to the timelines, anybody committed to the word and walks the talk is respected and valued. We have seen many companies from India doing well in the U.S. in the past few years.
There was a time when the entire value chain was concentrated in one country. Europe is a big consumer of solar because of geopolitical reasons, the U.S. is a large consumer, and India has its net zero ambitions also, along with other countries.
We have evolving demand centers everywhere, but you also have supply centers being formed in Turkey and India, among other places.
(Note: Sections of the interview have been paraphrased for better reading. Check out the video for the full interview) 
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Independent Testing Key for Indian Solar Module Makers to Export: Interview

The maturation of solar markets in China, India, and the U.S. is creating an increased demand for reliable and durable solar materials. DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions is packing its supply line to meet this rising demand, says Mr. Mark Ma, global marketing manager for DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions.
Mercom India spoke with Mr. Ma about these developments. The following is an excerpt from the conversation.
How is DuPont doing in terms of market share in India compared to its presence in other markets across the globe?
DuPont has a good presence in India’s solar market. We are the leading supplier of specialty materials to the solar industry such as silver pastes and backsheet materials.
The Indian market is emerging fast and now, as it stands on the verge of maturing, we are glad to see the focus is shifting towards quality products which is the right fit in DuPont materials proposition. We are confident about the market share growth as the India solar industry begins the mature growth phase.
Is the outlook for the Indian market changing?
Yes. In the past, the focus in India was more on volume and speed but now that outlook is changing. People are now focusing more on PV products and materials that have long-term durability and reliability.
What do you think has brought about this change? 
In the past, due to the focus on speed and volume, many developers used low priced modules and other components, without considering their quality and reliability, that allowed them to secure low-cost projects at that time, but these products later turned faulty and various projects have been reported with issues of early failure that led to lower returns on investment.
Such instances have led to the realization that quality matters eventually. People now understand that utilizing quality solar products and components is complementary to volume and speed.
Do you think that quality-consciousness is a growing trend?
Yes, we have seen this trend and it is growing. That’s good news for everyone.
We have been in the Indian market for a few years now, and every year more customers are approaching us and appreciating our products and technical expertise. This shows that the industry is realizing the importance of quality and long-term reliability because when it comes to LCOE (Levelized Cost of Electricity), it’s self-explanatory. The initial cost differences are easily recoverable in the long term. Specifying proven materials can improve the durability and reliability of solar panels over their lifetime, and reduce the risk of premature power degradation or catastrophic panel failure that can diminish the internal rate of return (IRR), resulting in much lower returns on solar investments than expected.
What do you think of the anti-dumping case?
DuPont supports free and fair trade and a strong and sustainable solar industry that continues to create more skilled jobs.
Compared to China, how do you think India’s solar sector is growing?
The Indian solar sector is yet to reach its tipping point. A few years back, China wasn’t even doing 15 GW a year but now the country’s target is 45 GW a year. In the same way, once India starts averaging close to 10 GW a year, the PV sector will cross its tipping point (reaching certain scale of installation) and completely take off.
Investment in needed in setting up a robust supply chain which is essential to support India’s solar growth in a sustainable manner.
What’s at the heart of DuPont’s expansion plans?
DuPont is a science company. We have global R&amp;D networks to develop advanced materials that help to achieve higher efficiency and more power output as well as in developing reliability testing methods and enhancement. We also have application labs close to the market that can provide immediate technical support.
DuPont has invested hundreds of millions of dollars across all businesses in PV, including $295 million for a multi-phased Tedlar® capacity expansion, now complete, that has more than doubled the capacity for Tedlar® PVF film.

DuPont Interview: Demand for Reliable Materials Rising as India’s Solar Market Matures

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