Three Trends Shaping the Future of PV Laboratories: Insights from SNEC 2026

SNEC 2026 has come to an end.

Over the past few days, we had the opportunity to speak with PV manufacturers, third-party testing laboratories, universities, and research institutes, while also participating in several technical forums and discussions.

These conversations revealed several common themes. More importantly, they highlighted how expectations for PV laboratories are evolving.

Here are three trends that stood out to us.

Trend 1: More Discussions About Upgrading Than Building

A few years ago, many laboratory projects focused primarily on establishing testing capability.

Today, the conversation is changing.

Laboratory teams are increasingly asking:

• How can we add new testing capabilities?
• How can we expand existing facilities?
• How can current equipment continue to deliver value?
• How can we prepare for future technology developments?

For many organizations, the question is no longer whether they have a laboratory.

The question is whether their laboratory can support the next stage of growth.

Trend 2: Faster Technology Development Is Driving Higher Validation Demands

New technologies are entering the market faster than ever.

In many laboratories, equipment is still operating normally, yet new testing requirements are already emerging.

This helps explain why one word appeared repeatedly during discussions at SNEC:

Upgrade.

Not only upgrading equipment, but also upgrading:

• Testing capabilities
• Validation methodologies
• Laboratory planning strategies
• Long-term development roadmaps

As PV technologies continue to evolve, laboratories are under increasing pressure to adapt more quickly.

Trend 3: Laboratories Are Becoming Long-Term Operational Systems

Another noticeable shift is how people think about laboratory development.

Increasingly, laboratory managers are concerned about questions such as:

• How can future expansion be accommodated?
• How should laboratories respond to evolving standards?
• How can new equipment be integrated into existing systems?
• How can testing consistency be maintained over the long term?

Laboratory construction is no longer viewed as the end of a project.

Instead, it is becoming part of an ongoing process of optimization, expansion, and continuous improvement.

Looking Ahead

Over the next few years, success may depend less on adding a single new piece of equipment and more on maintaining a laboratory's ability to adapt.

New technologies will continue to emerge.

Standards will continue to evolve.

Testing requirements will continue to expand.

The true value of a laboratory may ultimately lie in its ability to respond to these changes while maintaining stable, reliable, and consistent operation.

For us, this was perhaps one of the most valuable insights gained from SNEC 2026.

About Zealwe Technology

Zealwe Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in turnkey PV laboratory solutions and testing equipment for IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 compliance.

Since 2012, we have supported PV manufacturers, testing organizations, research institutes, and laboratories with equipment and integrated solutions covering:

• Environmental Chambers
• Steady-State Solar Simulators
• UV Preconditioning Systems
• Mechanical Load Testers
• Hail Impact Testers
• PID Testing Systems
• And other reliability testing equipment required for PV module qualification

As a Shanghai High-Tech Enterprise and Specialized & Sophisticated SME, Zealwe holds multiple invention patents, utility model patents, and software copyrights, while maintaining AAA-level corporate credit certification.