Kiwa PI Berlin has released its latest report assessing the quality of solar panel manufacturers, noting that new manufacturing regions (especially the United States) are reporting more production defects.
“The 2026 PV Module Manufacturing Quality Report” summarizes Kiwa PI Berlin’s quality assurance findings from factory audits, production surveillance and pre-shipment inspections. The organization discovered new defect patterns in high-impact processes, including lay-up precision, lamination integrity and junction box assembly. These deficiencies demonstrate weaknesses in the panel manufacturer’s ability to manage bills of materials and process controls.
Kiwa PI Berlin noted that US factories exhibit the highest critical and major quality problems; the Middle East and Africa show a higher number of defects; while Vietnam and Indonesia perform the strongest.
Lamination problems – air bubbles and edge delamination – are the main defects in module production facilities. Improper storage of encapsulants and inadequate control of the lamination process were identified as the main causes.
“The adoption of advanced cell architectures, regional manufacturing incentives and evolving compliance frameworks will reshape the manufacturing landscape. It is a legitimate challenge to produce many millions of PV modules in dozens of new and growing factories using hundreds of BOM combinations,” Kiwa PI Berlin contributors said in the report. “By integrating data-driven QA practices into procurement and project execution, stakeholders can not only navigate these complexities, but also strengthen PV’s role as a cornerstone of the global energy transition. With collaboration, transparency and a commitment to quality, the industry is well-equipped to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable solar energy for decades to come.”
The report can downloaded here.
