Taiwan-based Motech Industries Inc. has revealed that its solar photovoltaic (PV) modules have passed the new IEC (News - Alert) 61701, second edition Salt Mist Corrosion Testing of Photovoltaic (PV) Modules test with a severity level of 5—meaning that they can withstand harsh and abrasive coastal environments.

The company develops and manufactures monocrystalline silicon and multicrystalline silicon solar cells, including its multicrystalline I-Cells, which are isotropically acid-etched cells with higher output than other, alkaline-etched cell designs

Conducted by Intertek (News - Alert) Testing Service, a multinational inspection, product testing and certification organization headquartered in London, the salt mist test is a corrosion test that measures the performance of solar module materials in coastal areas with high humidity and high salt content (such as coastal or marine environments).

The test results confirm that Motech's modules exhibit excellent endurance in severe environments. The company's monocrystalline and multicrystalline product lines were all tested to Severity 5 which is 672 hours of exposure to a five percent NaCl salt solution applied at one to two milliliters (ml)/hour.

"Motech leverages its 20 years of institutional experience and intense testing to make sure that Motech modules are reliable regardless of the environmental conditions," said John Colarusso, senior director, Technology and Development Division, Motech Americas, LLC, based in Delaware. "We are pleased to receive this certificate to assure our customers of our products performance."

In related news, earlier this month Motech powered a breakthrough of efficiency in its LEO solar cell product series. The company claims that its six-inch monocrystalline LEO cell is now able to reach an average conversion efficiency rate of above 19.3 percent, with the highest efficiency recorded at over 19.5 percent. What’s more, its six-inch multicrystalline LEO cell is able to reach an average conversion efficiency of over 17.7 percent with the highest efficiency at over 18 percent. Module manufacturers will be able to increase power output to over 265W and 260W, respectively, while using the LEO cells in a 60-cell configuration.

Motech commented, “[We continue] to effectively improve the conversion efficiency through the innovation of [our] R&D and manufacturing team in process optimization and material enhancement. The LEO solar cell product series has passed all necessary quality and reliability testing and is now in commercial production.”

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