The innovations include special load tests for solar modules as well as consultancy and qualification programmes for investors, insurance companies, banks and other parties involved in projects regarding the bankability of large PV systems. TÜV Rheinland also offers the conventional tests for design qualification and type approval as well as safety qualification for crystalline and thin-film photovoltaic modules or solar thermal collectors and systems.
As the solar industrys leading independent test services provider, we aim not only to support but also to shape the industrys speedy global technological and economic development. We can do this by investing in the best experts and new technological innovations. In addition to this, we implement research programmes and, ultimately, develop new test services which will really help to advance our customers capabilities and, in turn, the solar industry, commented Matthias Heinze, TÜV Rheinlands Global Business Field Manager for the solar industry.
At the same time, the more than 200 industry experts at TÜV Rheinland are systematically expanding the international network of important accreditations most recently through the partnership with BRE Global for certification according to the UK Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and through approval from OSHA the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration to award the ANSI/UL1703 test mark required for the North American market. The goal: one-stop testing which offers solar system manufacturers product approval for all relevant global markets from a single source, TÜV Rheinland.
At Intersolar 2011, TÜV Rheinland is presenting tests related to module fire prevention and resistance, an extended test for improved simulation of long-term operating conditions for solar modules and the test mark Power-controlled. Here, the independent test providers experts monitor whether the manufacturers adhere to the stated module performance in practice. Also new in TÜV Rheinland's test programme are certifications for flexible composite module films as well as tests examining the performance of modules when exposed to environments containing salt (e.g. coastal locations) and ammonia (e.g. in farming operations).
TÜV Rheinlands new PV+ test is a highly comprehensive system that helps investors to assess product bankability and to locate good solar modules that continue to perform well after twenty years. This complex testing system, which consists of 25 individual tests and was developed by Solarpraxis AG and an industry consultant over a period of two years, is open to all manufacturers and will be constantly extended with new modules.
For global implementation of the wide range of services for the solar industry, TÜV Rheinland has made considerable investments in test capacities over recent years and is continuing this investment programme. A new test bench for analysis of spectral sensitivity and the quantum efficiency of PV modules, a combined sun simulator for PV modules and thermal solar collectors as well as two test chambers for corrosion testing were recently commissioned.
TÜV Rheinland first started laboratory-scale technical testing of solar components back in 1995. TÜV Rheinlands network of experts for the solar industry now comprises more than 200 specialists in six laboratories worldwide. TÜV Rheinland is the global market leader for the testing and certification of solar modules, operating test laboratories in Bangalore (India), Cologne (Germany), Shanghai (China) and Taichung (Taiwan), as well as at TÜV Rheinland PTL in Tempe, Arizona (USA), and Yokohama (Japan). Across the world, around 500 manufacturers of photovoltaic modules are customers of the independent testing service provider, TÜV Rheinland. The specialists not only test modules and components, but also develop new test methods, collaborate on R&D projects for the use of solar energy and assist customers worldwide with the construction of solar power plants.
TÜV Rheinland at Intersolar Europe 2011?8 – 10 June 2011, New Trade Fair Centre Munich, Hall A2 Stand 119.
