Research project
IEA PVPS Task 13 – Reliability & Performance of Photovoltaic Systems – Swiss contribution
The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) «Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme» (PVPS) aims to strengthen international cooperation and thereby promote the role of photovoltaic solar energy as a cornerstone of the transition to sustainable energy systems. Task 13 within the IEA PVPS Programme focuses on improving the reliability and performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems. The task involves collecting, analysing and disseminating information on the technical performance, degradation and failure mechanisms of PV systems. This creates a basis for their technical assessment and leads to the development of practical recommendations for improving system performance and lifespan.
Since 2018, a Swiss consortium comprising SUPSI, CSEM, BFH, ZHAW and OST has been contributing to the international dialogue by sharing the latest findings from Swiss R&D projects and by providing national expertise. These dissemination activities aim to ensure that industry, energy suppliers and policy-makers in Switzerland remain aligned with international best practices, thereby strengthening the competitiveness of Swiss PV technologies on global markets.
To date, the SPF has played a key role in the following reports:
- Report IEA-PVPS T13-33:2025 Operational and Economic Impacts of Extreme Weather on PV Power Plants (PDF) (ISBN: 978-1-7642902-4-1, DOI: doi.org/10.69766/FFNG4976)
- Report IEA-PVPS T13-24:2021 Qualification of Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plants using Mobile Test Equipment (PDF) (ISBN 978-3-907281-12-3)
- Report IEA-PVPS T13-15:2021 Performance of New Photovoltaic System Designs (PDF) (ISBN 978-3-907281-04-8)
Duration:
- Phase 1: 10/2018-01/2022
- Phase 2: 03/2022-08/2025
- Phase 3: 12/2025-11/2029
Partner:
- SUPSI – Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana - PVLab
- CSEM – Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique
- BFH – Berner Fachhochschule – Labor für Photovoltaiksysteme
- ZHAW – Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften – Institut für Energiesysteme und Fluid-Engineering
Team:
Evelyn Bamberger
SPF Institute for Solar Technology Teamleiterin SPF Photovoltaik, Dozentin
+41 58 257 48 29evelyn.bamberger@ost.ch
